Patients who have presbyopia have the option of optimizing their vision via glasses, multifocal contact lenses, premium IOLs and intra-corneal inlays. Thanks to a team of researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), the Universitat de València and the Aiken Ophthalmic Clinic Research Foundation, a completely transparent trifocal corneal inlay could be added to this list of options, according to UPV. 
            The totally transparent diffractive inlay is comprised of a biocompatible material and “is extremely thin — less than 5 μm— so, it would be inlayed inside the stroma of the cornea, basically without affecting its structure, in a cavity created with a femtosecond laser,” explains Walter D. Furlan, researcher at the Department of Optics and Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Valencia, to UPV. “The lens is micro-perforated, which allows the flow of necessary nutrients in this part of the cornea,” 
            Vicente Ferrando, a researcher at the Center for Physical Technologies of the Universitat Politècnica de València, adds that the nutrients flow associated with this inlay is large, which “would reduce the chances of rejection once inlayed in the cornea of the patient.” 
            Something else to consider: Some of the inlay’s design parameters may be adapted, allowing for customization for each patient, according to the UPV.
            The researchers are now looking at starting clinical trials in presbyopic patients. CP