Jacqueline Henderson, President EMEA at Vision Johnson & Johnson, discusses the development of the TECNIS PureSee IOL, the ELITA Femtosecond Laser, and the evolving role of real-world evidence in shaping the future of ophthalmic care.
As President of EMEA at Vision Johnson & Johnson, Jacqueline Henderson is at the forefront of innovation in ophthalmology, overseeing the development of advanced solutions for patients with eye health challenges. In this exclusive interview with BioPharma BoardRoom, Henderson delves into the technology behind the new TECNIS PureSee IOL, shares insights on the impact of the ELITA Femtosecond Laser, and highlights how real-world evidence is advancing the understanding and adoption of these cutting-edge technologies.
Can you elaborate on the development process behind the TECNIS PureSee IOL, and how it addresses the needs of patients with presbyopia?
At J&J, we are dedicated to meeting the eye health needs of patients in an ever-changing world with an ageing population. With 28 million procedures each year, cataract surgery is the number one surgery performed globally, and yet only 10% to 15% of patients are getting advanced optical IOLs specifically designed for astigmatism and presbyopia. We wanted to change this.
That’s why we’re proud that our latest innovation has been developed to provide both surgeons and patients with great outcomes. TECNIS PureSee IOL uses specialised refractive technology that allows for smooth changes in vision power thanks to its unique back of the lens design while the front of the lens is shaped to compensate for spherical aberrations in the cornea, similar to other lenses in the TECNIS range.
As a purely refractive, presbyopia-correcting IOL, TECNIS PureSee addresses the needs of patients by delivering uninterrupted, consistent, high-quality vision, using cutting-edge science to provide superior distance image contrast and less pupil dependency than other EDOF IOLs. It also offers excellent vision for those who are especially sensitive to visual side effects like halos and glares from lights, and increased spectacle independence, with 100% of patients achieving visual freedom for distance vision, really setting it apart from currently available products.
What key differentiators set the ELITA™ Femtosecond Laser apart from other femtosecond laser technologies currently on the market?
Our dedication to revolutionising corneal refractive surgery has led us to engineer our next-generation femtosecond platform to optimise the surgeon’s experience for lenticule removal and LASIK flaps while delivering outstanding patient outcomes.
The ELITA Femtosecond Laser is built with a fast and intelligent laser guidance system that tightly controls laser pulse placement with sub-micron precision to provide surgeons with a new paradigm in lenticular removal. By bringing novel technology and features together, we leverage a high-precision, ultrafast laser (so fast that it delivers 10 million spots per second) to deliver a smooth corneal surface for patients with myopia and with or without astigmatism.
The wonderful thing about this is that it lets surgeons perform refractive correction and deliver exceptional vision correction with next-day recovery and results. We’re pleased that the response has been so positive, with 100% of SILK™ patients experiencing outstanding visual acuity and recovery 3-months post-op.
What are some early findings or patient outcomes from the TECNIS PureSee IOL following its EMEA launch?
I’ve personally been very moved to hear first-hand accounts from surgeons about how PureSee has been transformative for both their practices and their patients, whether they’re treating severe myopes (people with myopia) or hyperopes (people with hyperopia). I recently heard from a surgeon who told me about a high hyperope patient, who was +10 preoperatively, who started crying post-surgery because of how clearly he could see. These are the stories which spur us on and reinforce our ambitions to make vision possible for even more people.
Furthermore, I’m delighted that, following PureSee’s EMEA launch, surgeons and patients have been extremely satisfied with how the IOL helps to address presbyopia, with feedback showing particularly well-suited for individuals like professional drivers, who require high-quality distance vision in varying light conditions, such as nighttime driving. We are proud that our lens technology ensures patients no longer compromise on excellent vision at distance at the cost of intermediate vision. The lens has also shown excellent benefits for those involved in manual tasks or activities requiring arm's-length focus, such as using complex controls or navigation systems in modern vehicles, and minimizes the need for reading glasses, except in cases of extremely small text. All this serves to give patients a best-in-class solution for their lifestyle and needs, a goal we have at the heart of our innovation.
How does the TECNIS Eyhance® Intraocular Lens improve intermediate vision for cataract patients, and what has been the response from surgeons and patients so far?
Building on the 20-year legacy of the industry-leading TECNIS platform, our Eyhance IOL is profoundly improving patient vision using a unique lens shape that helps improve intermediate vision through a modern monofocal IOL with a refractive surface design that's progressive in power from the side to the centre of the lens, delivering more for patients than standard monofocals.
Since its European launch in 2019, the TECNIS Eyhance IOL marked a significant improvement in cataract treatment by delivering sharp vision at distance as well at intermediate ranges, something lacking in traditional monofocal lenses. It has been great for patients as it offers spectacle freedom for any up-close tasks like reading a computer screen or checking a car's dashboard. Patients have told us they’ve had a noticeable improvement in performing daily activities, like walking on uneven surfaces or engaging in their hobbies.
All in all, it's been a huge privilege to see TECNIS Eyhance become a new standard of care for patients and hear the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both surgeons and patients who tell us it offers a perfect blend of premium quality and convenience without the typical trade-offs such as unwanted visual effects like halos or glare.
What role do you see real-world evidence (RWE) playing in advancing the understanding and adoption of these new ophthalmic technologies?
In service of our patients, we must all continue to make informed decisions and generate real world evidence to improve both care and the adoption of new technologies. At J&J, we have dedicated Health Economics and Market Access teams that help incorporate data such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into our strategies and decision making.
For example, in France, in collaboration with national medical societies and patient associations, we have been piloting a RWE study move to the best possible payment models. Then earlier this year in the US, our team collaborated with the industry and other clinicians towards the ultimate FDA approval of AIOLIS, a new tool to enhance cataract surgery outcomes that helps promote the experience of the patients’ premium IOLs.
Overall, RWE generation is a vital component helping all of us in the industry to prosper and stay in-line with the latest innovations and patient needs, so it is undoubtedly one aspect at the forefront our thinking.
