The TECNIS® PureSee™ Premium Intraocular Lens (IOL)

The TECNIS PureSee™ IOL is a next-generation, presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens from Johnson & Johnson that’s designed to give patients high-quality distance vision with an extended range into intermediate and functional near vision. It uses a purely refractive, extended depth-of-focus (EDoF) optical design intended to improve spectacle independence while minimizing common visual disturbances (e.g., halos and glare) associated with older multifocal designs.

What it is

The TECNIS PureSee is an EDoF intraocular lens implanted during cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. Unlike diffractive multifocal lenses, PureSee employs a refractive optical profile to extend the depth of focus so patients can see clearly at distance and intermediate

distances and have functional near vision with a lower incidence of dysphotopsias. This makes it an option between a standard monofocal IOL and a full-range multifocal/trifocal lens.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Purely refractive EDoF design: Extends usable vision across a broader range without the step-type focal zones of some multifocals. This aims to preserve contrast sensitivity and reduce unwanted optical phenomena.
  

• High-quality distance vision: Designed to deliver distance acuity comparable to monofocal lenses.
  

• Improved intermediate (and functional near) vision: Patients typically experience better intermediate and near performance than with enhanced monofocal lenses.
  

• Low rates of dysphotopsia: Clinical and real-world data report relatively low incidence of halos/glare compared with traditional multifocal/diffractive designs.
  

• Surgeon-friendly tolerance: The refractive design provides tolerance to small residual refractive errors and decentration, simplifying real-world performance.
  

Who is an Ideal Candidate?

• Patients undergoing routine cataract surgery who desire reduced dependence on glasses, particularly for distance and intermediate tasks (e.g., driving, computer work), and who want functional near vision without accepting higher risk of night-time visual disturbances.
  

• Patients who prioritize excellent contrast sensitivity and night vision and who prefer a conservative intermediate step between a monofocal and a multifocal/trifocal IOL.
  

• Not ideal for patients who require full spectacle independence for very near tasks (like prolonged reading at 30 cm) and who are prepared to trade off some night-time visual quality — for those patients, other trifocal or accommodative options may be preferable.
  

Patient Experience & Clinical Outcomes

• Visual quality & satisfaction: Randomized and real-world studies show PureSee provides excellent distance vision with statistically superior intermediate and improved near vision versus certain enhanced monofocal comparators; patient satisfaction and spectacle independence are high in published reports. For example, clinical data and registries report high levels of distance and intermediate satisfaction and notably increased spectacle independence for many patients.
  

• Spectacle independence: Early real-world data presented at meetings report a large proportion of patients needing little or no glasses for distance and intermediate tasks; near independence is improved but more variable. (Reported figures in some series show very high distance/intermediate spectacle-independence rates and lower, but meaningful, near independence.)
  

• Visual disturbances: Multiple publications indicate lower rates of halos and glare compared with traditional diffractive multifocals, while maintaining good contrast sensitivity. Nevertheless, any presbyopia-correcting lens can produce dysphotopsias in a minority of patients — informed consent and expectation management remain essential.
  

The Surgical Procedure (what patients can expect)

1. Preoperative assessment: Comprehensive eye exam, corneal topography, biometry to select power, assessment for ocular surface disease or macular pathology that could limit outcomes. Surgeons will counsel on expectations and possible need for reading glasses for demanding near tasks.
   

2. Operation: Implantation is performed during standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery under local/regional anesthesia. The Tecnis PureSee IOL is folded and inserted into the capsular bag via a small incision, just like most modern IOLs. Postoperative drops and follow-up visits are routine.
   

3. Recovery & postop course: Most patients notice improved vision within days, with continued stabilization over weeks. Final visual outcome is generally assessed around 1–3 months postoperatively. Small enhancements (laser touch-ups) can be performed if a residual refractive error persists.

Safety and possible risks

• Risks are similar to those of standard cataract surgery (infection, inflammation, posterior capsule opacification, refractive surprise). Specific to presbyopia-correcting lenses, some patients may experience halos, glare, or difficulty with low-contrast tasks — though PureSee data suggest these are less frequent than with older multifocal designs. Adverse event reporting databases (regulatory MAUDE/other) have some entries; surgeons should review safety data and counsel patients appropriately.
  

Why choose the TECNIS PureSee IOL?

• Balance of performance and visual quality: PureSee is intended to bridge the gap between monofocal lenses (excellent distance vision) and multifocal/trifocal lenses (broader spectacle independence but higher dysphotopsias), offering extended range vision with preserved contrast.
  

• Evidence base: Published randomized trials and growing real-world datasets demonstrate improved intermediate and near function compared with enhanced monofocals while maintaining distance acuity and a favorable dysphotopsia profile.
  

• Regulatory and industry recognition: The product has been launched across multiple regions (EMEA, India, etc.) and has received attention in industry forums and awards for innovation.
  

Practical tips for surgeons & clinics

• Patient selection & counselling are critical. Use real-world examples and vision simulations to set expectations for near tasks. Discuss the realistic possibility of needing reading glasses for some activities.
  

• Manage ocular surface and macular disease preoperatively. Dry eye, epiretinal membrane, or macular degeneration can limit outcomes and satisfaction.
  

• Plan for residual refractive error. Although PureSee has surgical tolerance advantages, preop biometry and refractive targeting remain important; be prepared to discuss corneal laser enhancement if needed.
  

Conclusion

The TECNIS PureSee™ IOL is a modern, refractive EDoF lens aimed at patients who want excellent distance vision plus improved intermediate and functional near vision, with relatively low risk of night-time visual disturbances. Clinical studies and early real-world data show it provides an attractive middle ground between monofocals and multifocal/trifocal lenses: increased spectacle independence for many activities while preserving contrast and minimizing dysphotopsias. As always, success depends on careful patient selection, clear counselling about expectations, and meticulous surgical technique. If you’re considering PureSee for a patient, review the published trial data and local real-world outcomes, and discuss candidly which daily activities the patient most wants to perform without glasses.