Bangalore-based Allergan India for the first time in the country has introduced multi focal foldable lens called Amo Array, used for cataract operations. The lens is multi-foldable offering lot of advantages for the user or the patient. The multi foldable nature reduces its size to one fifth of the size of the actual lens size. Accordingly, the size of the incision behind the iris for the insertion of lens also decreases.

"The lens has been designed in such a way that once it is placed inside the incision it unfolds itself inside and takes up the size of the original natural lens," said Mumbai-based Dr. Shashi Kapoor, one of very few surgeons utilizing the technology in cataract operation.

The doctor has already performed about 400 operations utilizing the technology. The incision being less, the operation is safer for the patient. Besides, being multi focal in nature, the lens takes care of the closer vision, simply eliminating the need to wear glasses after the cataract operation. "Using the technology, a person who use glasses only for reading would no longer have the need to do so," he said. It also stops the growth of cylindrical power or Astigmatism, he said.

Cataract operation with multi focal foldable lens costs about Rs. 18,000 in the country, the cost of the lens being Rs. 8,000. Before the arrival of multi focal lens, the operation used to be done with mono focal lens, which cost Rs. 12,000. However, the cataract is predominantly treated in the country using the rigid way, costing the patient Rs. 6-8,000.

There is a clear advantage for the patient using a multi focal lens compared to mono focal lens. "Using a mono focal lens implant, objects in the distance are quite clear. For clear midrange or near vision, he will need to wear spectacles. Amo Array is designed to give him an excellent distance, midrange and near vision," said Kapoor.