Pharmacia Ophthalmology, a division of Pharmacia Corporation, the 10th largest global pharmaceutical company in the world will formally launch its patented intra-ocular lens (IOL) in India tomorrow. The company claims that Tecnis, the patented innovation in foldable lenses, is one of the most exciting advances in the optics of intra-ocular lenses in the last ten years.

India has a large base of geriatric population, which is estimated to increase to 113 million by the year 2016. With cataracts being extremely common, a large number of IOL implants take place every year but the importance of contrast sensitivity is low. In India, Cataracts are the cause of 80% cases of blindness. Cataracts can be successfully treated with surgical removal followed by replacement of the aging natural crystalline lens with Intra-ocular Lens (IOL) implants.

Cataract surgery with IOL implants promises relief from the cloudy vision but this is not the same as achieving high quality of vision as the current IOLs do not compensate for the aberrations associated with the aging cornea. One can thus, be 20/20 or better, with current IOL implants and still have vision of low contrast.

On the other hand, patients with Tecnis foldable lens implantation can look forward to enjoying movies, reading newspaper with clarity, driving at night with improved night vision etc., stated a company press release.

The product is to be launched at a symbosium organized by the company here. The symposium would include a teleconference with internationally acclaimed ophthalmologist, Dr Jack T Holladay from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Leading ophthalmologists like Dr Mahipal Sachdeva, Centre for Sight, New Delhi and Dr Burjor Banaji, Banaji Eye Clinic, Mumbai will participate in the discussions.