US surgeon pioneers new era in cataract surgery with trifocal lens implant

Dr. Florence Cabot, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Miller School, successfully performed the first implantation of the FineVision HP trifocal lens in May, marking a significant advancement in cataract surgery. The procedure, which took place at UHealth – University of Miami Health System, represents a long-awaited milestone for Dr. Cabot, who first witnessed the technology’s development as a resident in Paris under its creator, Dr. Damien Gatinel.

“I’ve seen since the beginning when my mentor designed these breakthrough lenses,” said Dr. Cabot, who is also the associate program director of the cornea fellowship at Bascom Palmer. “I was very honored to be the first one to do it here in Miami.”

The FineVision HP lens, developed by BVI and now available in the U.S. following its FDA approval, distinguishes itself from traditional monofocal lenses that correct vision at a single distance. Instead, this advanced trifocal IOL is designed to provide patients with clear, high-quality vision across near, intermediate, and far distances, significantly reducing or eliminating the need for glasses after cataract surgery.

“A trifocal lens is designed to give the patient a range of vision between near and far, with an intermediate focus plane in the middle,” Dr. Cabot explained, noting that for patients, it means the difference between needing reading glasses for everyday tasks and having the freedom to see clearly without them.

This third-generation lens incorporates refined materials and optical design, including a hydrophobic material and a four-point haptic design for enhanced stability and centration within the eye, which helps to reduce unwanted visual disturbances like glare and halos. With a strong 3.5-diopter add, it is particularly appealing to those who desire excellent near vision for reading and detailed work.

Dr. Cabot reported that one week after her first procedure, the patient achieved excellent distance and near visual outcomes, expressing high satisfaction with the result. The availability of the FineVision HP adds another premium option to the IOL market, building on more than 15 years of clinical success in Europe.

“This current lens isn’t 15 years old. It’s been improved based on patient feedback and evolving technology,” Dr. Cabot added. For her, bringing the technology to Miami was a full-circle moment, and she shared her excitement with her mentor in Paris.

“He was so happy for me that the FineVision was able to cross the pond,” she said.

The development and implementation of such advanced lenses reflect the ongoing commitment to innovation at the Miller School of Medicine and Bascom Palmer, which is ranked as the nation’s #1 eye hospital. Researchers at the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center continue to pursue even more advanced "accommodative" lenses that could one day restore the eye’s natural focusing ability.