Local Nurse and Fisherman First in Arkansas and Among Country’s First to Receive

Today, Sandy Kreulach, a Northwest Arkansas nurse, and Bob Minella, a Bentonville, Ark., resident and avid fisherman, will be the first patients in the state of Arkansas and among the first patients in the United States to receive the highly anticipated PanOptix® Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) at the hands of Dr. Steven Vold of Vold Vision in Fayetteville, Ark. PanOptix,® the first trifocal cataract lens to ever be released in the United States, has been clinically shown to deliver an exceptional combination of near, intermediate and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery.

Already one of the leading presbyopia-correcting IOLs in more than 70 countries, the lens has been long awaited by U.S. ophthalmologist’s. Dr. Steven Vold, chief medical officer for Vold Vision shared, “The excitement around this lens has continued to escalate as we hear about the phenomenal results patients are experiencing from our colleagues in Europe and from the results reported in the clinical trials here in the U.S.” Vold said, “This lens is an absolute game changer for patients in their mid-40’s and beyond who want to see up-close, intermediate and distance without the aid of their glasses and contacts. We can also treat patients with astigmatism.”

PanOptix® is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. In a pivotal clinical study at 12 U.S. sites, more than 99% of PanOptix® patients said they would choose the lens again, demonstrating high patient satisfaction.

The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision. Available in spherical and toric designs, PanOptix® is built on Alcon’s proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally.

More than 4 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., which is projected to increase by more than 16 percent by the end of 2024.