Optical-quality assessment of a miniaturized intraocular telescope

Abstract

PurposeEvaluating the optical transmission and geometrical aberrations of an intraocular device, namely, the Small-Incision New Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope (SING IMT, Samsara Vision), designed to correct age-related macular degeneration. MethodsOptical transmission in the spectral range 350-750 nm of the implantable optics was recorded with a fiber-optic spectrometer. Geometrical aberrations were studied by measuring the wavefront of a laser beam after passing through the implantable optics and performing an expansion of the measured wavefront into a Zernike polynomial basis. The study was conducted under in-vitro experimental conditions. A second monofocal intraocular lens (SY60WF, Alcon) was tested and used as reference for assessing the optical quality of the SING IMT device. ResultsSpectroscopy measurements revealed that the SING IMT and monofocal IOL element feature UV-rejection and blue-rejection capabilities, respectively. Wavefront concavity indicated that the SING IMT behaves as a diverging lens with a focal length of approximately -100 mm; Zernike analysis showed that SING IMT has negligible coma, trefoil, astigmatism, and spherical aberrations of any order and along any direction. ConclusionsThe SING IMT exhibited even optical transmission in the whole visible spectrum and curvature capable of magnifying the retinal images without introducing geometrical aberrations, which proves the feasibility of this device as high-quality optical element for imaging. The rigidity of the compound lens of the SING IMT prevents mechanically-induced distortions, an issue encountered with polymeric lenses. Translational RelevanceSpectrometry and in vitro wavefront analysis provide evidence supporting the new generation miniaturized telescopic intraocular lens as a favorable option to intraocular implant in age-related macular degeneration.