ICON Eyecare First to Offer Tecnis Symfony All-Distance Lens for Refractive and Cataract Surgery in Region

Nancy A. Houlder, M.D. Joins ICON Eyecare Team

Dr. James A. Fox is the first surgeon to implant the FDA-approved extended depth of focus IOL in Western Colorado, and one of the first three in all of Colorado.

GRAND JUNCTION, CO (September 20, 2016) – ICON Eyecare is the first in Western Colorado to offer a new IOL option for cataract surgery and refractive surgery, the Tecnis Symfony Intraocular Lens. This is the first and only lens on the market taking advantage of extended depth of focus technology allowing for patients to have continuous vision from distance to up close with the goal of minimizing the need for wearing glasses at all. The Tecnis Symfony Toric IOL option increases the number of patients who qualify for this lens by treating astigmatism as well.

This lens option will be revolutionary for the refractive surgery industry in the United States, says James A Fox, M.D., of Hoffman Eye Care and ICON Eyecare. Discussing the results of this lens with surgeons outside of the United States and being able to see firsthand the high degree of patient satisfaction has been amazing. Whether patients have cataracts or not, this lens can be used to reduce the need for patients to use glasses (particularly those needing reading glasses). It’s truly a breakthrough treatment option that now has FDA approval in the United States.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations in the United States with more than half of Americans experiencing a cataract or having cataract surgery by the age 80, according to the National Eye Institute. During cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is removed and an artificial lens, or IOL, is implanted into the eye.

The unique advantages of the Symfony lens include seamless day to night vision, high-quality continuous vision, extended depth of focus, and low incidence of halo and glare, according to clinical studies and a press release from the Abbott, the maker of the lens. The Symfony lens is currently approved in more than 50 countries around the world. We are very excited to be the first in our region to offer this world-class treatment option, added Dr. Jay Hoffman, M.D.

For patients coming to see us, the ultimate goal is better vision and not having to wear glasses period. Several traditional monofocus lens options help distance vision but do not solve the issue of helping vision up close or for reading, says Dr. Fox. Alternatively, previous multifocal lenses that gave patients the ability to see at multiple distances had shortcomings, reducing the number of patients who were candidates for multiple focus vision. The technology within the Symfony lens has dramatically reduced these side effects allowing for a large number of patients to be good candidates for this lens.

ICON Eyecare surgeons will determine the best treatment and candidacy for patients through diagnostic testing, planning, and custom patient history, working with patients’ primary eye doctors. ICON Eyecare provides Western Colorado with the most advanced technology, experienced surgeons and treatment options to continue to be a regional leader and center of ophthalmology excellence for patients with advanced eye conditions.

For more information on Tecnis Symfony Lens or to schedule an interview with one of ICON Eyecare’s surgeons, please contact Sylvia Pankiewicz at 720-324-1956. Patients wanting more information or to schedule an appointment can contact ICON Eyecare in Grand Junction at iconeyecare.com, or by calling 970 256-0400.

About ICON Eyecare

ICON Eyecare is a leading surgical and medical eye care provider based out of Denver, CO. Since 1999, ICON has been building a Center of Ophthalmology Excellence empowered by an expert team of board certified physician specialists, the most advanced laser technology and a culture of quality and extraordinary patient care. In coordination with referring optometrists and physicians, ICON Eyecare specializes in treating patients with cataracts, advanced forms of glaucoma and other age and disease related conditions, while providing innovative options for patients seeking LASIK and cosmetic eye procedures. With 14 patient care centers located in Colorado and Texas, ICON Eyecare is expanding within the broader western U.S. region. For more information, please call (720) 524-1001, or visit iconeyecare.com.