experiences with Symfony IOL, or trifocal IOLs?

[SoftwareDeveloper]

Has anyone here gotten the new Symfony IOL, or heard from others who have, or know more than the research you can find with google? It was just approved in June for use in Europe, but initial studies on the web seem to indicate it provides better odds of having good intermediate/computer vision, and better than the AT lisa trifocal except at very near distances. It refers to it as having an extended depth of vision rather than   calling it multifocal (perhaps because it doesn't divide itself into 2 or 3 discrete focal points but in essence it must still have a range of focuses to provide "extended depth").

I've seen detailed threads about the FineVision but only brief comments on the AT lisa trifocal.  Any more comments on any of these lenses? I'd  be curious if anyone has more comments on getting a multifocal in only one eye with the problem cataract and wearing a contact lens in the other (which is still correctible to 20/20 with only an early cataract). The hope would be that perhaps before it goes bad a new generation of lenses might come out, like an accommodating lens that is more likely to work well than the ones out there now.

Any suggestions for good doctors to get them from, preferably laser cataract surgery? I'm open to considering doctors in any country since I'm in the US and will need to travel to get the lens, the UK would be easiest since I only speak English, but I'll consider other options. I've heard the Czech Republic may be cheaper but still have   high quality clinics. Its worth a bit of hassle to get a good lens. I'm only 52 so I'll hopefully be using it a few decades, so thanks greatly for any information you can provide.

[SoftwareDeveloper]

re: "that it was not a safety issue"

That is truly unfortunate obviously, if there isn't a safety problem they should leave it up to the patients (consulting with their doctors) to decide. A field of economics called "regulatory capture" theory explains that unfortunately often the regulatory process is controlled by the industry they are supposed to regulate, and existing companies use it to try to keep out competitors. I wonder if that was a factor then, regardless of whatever rationalization they gave for not approving it.

re: "limited the lens to the european market"

There are a number of non-FDA approved lenses that seem to be surviving in the non-US markets, the rest of the world is a large market. Some countries follow the lead of the FDA, but many   countries aren't as behind the times in what they allow. It seems likely there is more to the story we hadn't heard, perhaps the market wasn't accepting it. You had commented on a prior thread about hearing mixed results from some surgeons, it sounded like many showed no accommodation, even if others had good results as you did. I also heard that the lens wasn't as good for fairly myopic people (which was another reason I decided to cross it off the list, before the cataract hit I was a -9 or so  worst eye).

re: "so very few of them are motivated to pay"

Surprisingly if you hunt for cataract surgery trade literature you will see many people commenting on   a growing premium IOL market in Europe (and I thought one of those commenting was German, I can't remember for sure). I think its  partly  driven by RLE, patients who are getting lenses implanted even without a cataract when faced with presbyopia, and partly driven by awareness of better lens options slowly spreading.

[Anomalychick]

The  Synchrony was indeed pulled from the market. The lens was marketed all these years with the eventual goal of obtaining FDA approval as the first truly accomodating IOL, meaning not just effective for cataracts, but as a means of restoring accomodation. The FDA did not approve it, my understanding is that there was some debate over the definition of "accomodation" although I don't know  the details for sure. I do know that it was not a safety issue.
    Unfortunately, that limited the lens to the european market. And unfortunately, the european market likes tried and true. The germans love their glasses, literally EVERYONE wears them so very few of them are motivated to pay thousands of euros out of pocket for an option beyond a monofocal. Due to its limited niche market and lack of demand, the cost of keeping the IOL in production has been higher than the profit. The only reason they did it was with the eventual goal of US approval, which could instantly have turned it into a cash cow.
     Once that was taken off the table, there was no longer any reason to continue production. I did recently hear from someone that the lens is once again  being offered in the UK, although I know in Germany they told me they could not order it anymore and had to return their stock last april. So, I'm not sure. I'm sure it was pulled. I am not sure if it has been re released since.

[KayakerNC]

Wow.  The minimal astigmatism does increase your options.  
As long as you are looking at the Pros AND Cons, I'm sure you'll make the best choice for YOUR eyes.  
Good luck and keep updating.

[SoftwareDeveloper]

My local  eye surgeon is one who doesn't implant the US approved multifocals due to concerns with them.  Since he is in the US there is no reason for him to have explored the European options in depth. He does implant the Crystalens and seemed realistic about its questionable benefit, though it seems at least a better bet than a pure monofocal for those who don't want a multifocal (and won't leave the US for other accommodating lenses).

I only have 0.25D of corneal astigmatism, so that doesn't impact lens choice,and he did a thorough exam and didn't see any other eye health problems (my optometrist hadn't been sure what accounted for a rapid reduction of  visual acuity, and shift in prescription,  over a few months, so the MD   checked to be sure this was the only issue he saw).

[KayakerNC]

Just wondering.
What did your "very good eye surgeon here in the US who diagnosed the cataract." recommend for your eyes.
I'm assuming he did a cataract evaluation and measured your eyes for the needed powers and astigmatism corrections, if needed.  

[SoftwareDeveloper]

Actually I hadn't decided for sure if the Symfony is the best choice, partly since there is little study/data on it yet and it has just come out so there has been less time for more doctors to confirm the initial promising results.  I figured it made sense to book surgery with a doctor who offered that as an option as well as a trifocal so I needn't decide until the last minute in case new information comes out in the meantime. Unfortunately  I am hearing conflicting reports now about whether the FineVision or the AT Lisa is the best trifocal to consider as a backup option, which I seem to be a better fit than the ReSTOR for me.