Developed to resemble the properties of the natural crystalline lens in size, material, shape, and function, the Wichterle IOL–Continuous Focus (WIOL-CF; Medicem) is among the recent group of extended depth of focus IOLs to hit the market. The company calls its lens a , intended for the treatment of cataract and presbyopia in patients who demand supreme visual acuity in the intermediate and distance ranges and who wish to maintain or restore their vision in the near range. The WIOL-CF has a 9-mm optic, is made of a soft hydrogel to enable shape change and accommodation, and has a natural pupillary influence on focus.
Figure 1. The WIOL-CF is resistant to posterior capsular opacification and adheres closely to the posterior capsule.
The IOL's shape is created by spin-casting technology, whereby the lens is rotated in the mold; because no mechanical cutting or polishing is used during the manufacturing process, the lens is very smooth. Like the crystalline lens, the surface of the WIOL-CF has a negative charge mediated by carboxylate groups.
The negative charge and the lens' smooth surface ensure that the WIOL-CF is resistant to posterior capsular opacification, as the convex hyperbolic surface closely adheres to the posterior capsule (Figure 1).
CLINICAL RESULTS
According to company literature, long-term results (2–9 years; average, 5.6 years) from 40 patients implanted with the lens are available. Mean binocular UCVA for near, intermediate, and distance vision was 0.36, 0.12, and 0.01, respectively, and more than 97% of patients scored their social functioning at 99 of 100 and spectacle independence at 98 of 100.1
