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PrEsbyopic Allogenic Refractive Lenticule (PEARL)

Soosan Jacob, MS, FRCS, DNB

This video shows a new technique that Dr. Soosan Jacob has described for the treatment of presbyopia. The acronym PEARL stands for PrEsbyopic Allogenic Refractive Lenticule. The technique utilizes a lenticule of suitable thickness obtained from Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE). This lenticule is marked and trephined at its center to 1mm diameter and implanted in the cornea on the coaxially sighted light reflex under a 120 micron femtosecond cap in the non-dominant eye of a presbyopia patient. The PEARL inlay acts as a shape change inlay by increasing the central radius of curvature and resulting in a central area of hyperprolateness on the cornea. The PEARL inlay is made of allogenic material and therefore allows unhindered passage of oxygen and nutrients in the cornea unlike synthetic implants. This ensures stable corneal conditions, decreases risk of corneal necrosis and melt, provides biocompatibility and good integration into the cornea as well as avoids inflammation related to insertion of synthetic material into the cornea. Preservation of good uncorrected distance visual acuity and no loss of lines in the operated eye is another major advantage of this technique.

Posted: 5/11/2016