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AcuFocus: IC-8 IOL - A Light of Hope for Cataract Patients

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Alan Waterhouse, CEO & President

As one of the oldest and most commonly performed procedures globally, cataract surgery can also be considered one of the most successful¹ According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 24.5 million Americans have cataracts, the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide² More than 3.8 million Americans undergo cataract surgery annually, representing 7.5% of the population aged 65 years and older.³ Worldwide the number of cataract surgeries continue to grow, in 2018 approximately 27 million cataract operations were performed globally.⁴

Cataracts form when the crystalline lens of the eye, normally a clear structure, becomes opacified, leading to visual impairment. Many conditions can cause cataract formation, however, aging is the most common cause. When a cataract becomes visually significant, surgery is the only established method of treatment. Advancements in cataract surgical techniques with improved safety profiles and improvements in intraocular lens (IOL) implant technology have shifted the indications and threshold for cataract surgery to remove the opacified lens at a much earlier stage of development.

The most common type of lens used in cataract surgery is a monofocal IOL implant, which is set for one focal point: close, medium, or distance. Most patients choose clear distance vision and wear eyeglasses for medium or close tasks. Today’s patients can also choose from advanced technology multifocal and accommodative IOL implants that provide different focusing powers within the same lens and reduce their dependence on glasses. Multifocal IOLs provide both distance and near focus via different zones on the lens, and accommodative IOLs change shape or position inside the eye to focus at different distances. Toric IOL implants are designed to correct astigmatism—refractive error caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea. Multifocal IOL implants can be differentiated further as trifocals and extended-depth-of-focus modalities.

AcuFocus, a privately-held ophthalmic medical device company and a global leader in small aperture technology, has developed a completely different optical approach to improve vision for cataract patients.

At AcuFocus, we provide superior outcomes and consistent satisfaction to both patients and physicians, with our proven and reliable technologies

The company’s breakthrough IC-8 IOL combines its patented small aperture technology with a state-of-the-art monofocal IOL. This unique design delivers focused light through the small aperture to the retina without interference from peripheral defocused light. The result is clear vision across near, intermediate, and far distances. “At AcuFocus, we provide superior outcomes and consistent satisfaction to both patients and physicians, with our proven and reliable technologies,” states Alan (Al) Waterhouse, the CEO and President of AcuFocus.

The IC-8 IOL is approved for use outside the United States and is available in select European and Asian markets. The implant is currently undergoing an Investigational Device Exemption clinical study in the U.S. It has previously been shown to provide up to 3.00 D of continuous, extended depth of focus and manage as much as 1.50 D of preoperative corneal astigmatism5-8 Additionally, the unique IOL is designed to reduce the effects of lower- and higher-order aberrations that have been reported as side effects associated with multifocal technology.

In spite of the number of IOL technologies on the market, not all patients qualify for, or are candidates for advanced technology IOL implants. Multifocal technologies use complex optical designs to achieve the desired outcome, an approach that can come with complications such as glare and halo that some patients find distracting9 The IC-8 IOL is a novel solution based on a well understood, age-old concept of pinhole optics. By virtue of its design, it is not associated with significant photic phenomena. This makes it an easy-to-use solution for a broad range of patients, many of whom are not candidates for other advanced technology IOLs.

Even as a new entrant in this space, AcuFocus has a strong and experienced team of ophthalmology professionals who play a crucial role in ensuring access to the IC-8 globally. The company also has reliable financial backing from its partnerships with KKR & Co. Inc., one of the world’s leading investment firms, along with Flying L Partners. With its first commercial launch in the U.S market, the company will be investing in R&D of other advances of the small aperture platform to better physicians—and patients—across the globe.

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Company
AcuFocus

Headquarters
Irvine, CA

Management
Alan Waterhouse, CEO & President

Description
AcuFocus is a privately-held ophthalmic medical device company aimed at designing and delivering breakthrough technologies for the improvement of vision for cataract patients. Its proprietary technology platform utilizes the small aperture (pinhole) effect to allow focused light rays to reach the retina and provide clear visibility. Its flagship product, the IC-8 IOL is designed specifically for cataract patients and delivers continuous, high quality extended depth of focus free from blurry zones. The IOL protects central organized light by disrupting peripheral defocused light, instead of splitting light like other IOLs, and prevents unintended consequences such as halo or glare and other visual disturbances for patients