The IOL horizon: accommodative intraocular lenses.

BACKGROUND: For more than half a century, intraocular lenses have been used effectively to correct vision after cataract extraction. New developments in intraocular lens design have led to the creation of lenses that may have a significant role in the restoration of accommodation as well. PURPOSE: Accommodative lens technology is constantly evolving. Many different lens designs are currently under development. It is important for optometrists to be familiar with this technology and the various lenses being developed, as accommodative intraocular lenses stand to become the mainstay for cataract surgery, as well as for the surgical treatment of presbyopia. METHOD: The literature is reviewed in order to summarize the developments in accommodative lens technology.