Visual Outcomes and Safety of a Small Diameter Intrastromal Refractive Inlay for the Corneal Compensation of Presbyopia

PURPOSE:To investigate the outcomes and safety of an intrastromal refractive inlay (Invue Lens, Biovision AG) for the corneal compensation of presbyopia.METHODS:This prospective, noncomparative, interventional clinical study comprised 45 emmetropic presbyopes with a mean age of 52.3±3.3 years (range: 47 to 58 years). The refractive inlay was inserted in the non-dominant eye within a corneal pocket that was created using a mechanical microkeratome. Last follow-up was 12 months in all patients and examinations were scheduled at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Visual, wavefront, contrast sensitivity, and topographic outcomes as well as structural corneal alteration were evaluated.RESULTS:Twelve months after surgery, uncorrected near visual acuity was 20/32 or better in 98% of operated eyes and binocularly, whereas uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 93% of operated eyes and 20/25 or better in all patients binocularly. Three patients lost one line of corrected distance visual acuity in the operated eye. Overall, higher order aberrations were increased and contrast sensitivity was decreased in the operated eye. No tissue alterations were found using corneal confocal microscopy. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred.CONCLUSIONS:The intracorneal refractive inlay (Invue Lens) seems to be an effective surgical method for the corneal compensation of presbyopia in emmetropes aged between 45 and 60 years.