Johnson & Johnson Presents New TECNIS PureSee IOL Clinical Data Showing Strong Contrast Sensitivity and Extended Vision Range at ASCRS 2026
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has announced the presentation of new clinical and real-world data supporting the performance of its recently U.S. FDA-approved TECNIS PureSee™ intraocular lens (IOL) at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2026 Annual Meeting, held from April 10–13, 2026, in Washington. The data highlight the capabilities of the company’s next-generation Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lens technology, reinforcing its potential to enhance visual outcomes for patients undergoing cataract surgery.
The TECNIS PureSee™ IOL represents a significant advancement in ophthalmic innovation, designed to address limitations associated with traditional monofocal lenses. By extending the range of vision across multiple distances—while minimizing visual disturbances—the lens aims to improve both clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. The findings presented at ASCRS 2026 provide robust evidence supporting its effectiveness in both controlled clinical trials and real-world practice settings.
According to Paul Lisenby, Global Head of Research and Development for Vision at Johnson & Johnson, the data demonstrate that TECNIS PureSee delivers strong visual acuity and contrast sensitivity across a range of distances, while maintaining low levels of visual disturbances such as glare, halos, and starbursts. He emphasized that these results reflect the company’s commitment to advancing patient outcomes through rigorous scientific research and innovation.
Real-World Evidence Demonstrates Strong Clinical Performance
One of the key datasets presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2026 Annual Meeting comes from a post-market, real-world observational study involving 293 patients across 19 clinical sites in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. This study provides valuable insight into how the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL performs outside of controlled trial environments, reflecting everyday clinical use.
The findings indicate that patients implanted with the lens achieved excellent visual outcomes, with mean binocular uncorrected distance vision reaching 20/19. Intermediate and distance-corrected vision were also strong, averaging approximately 20/26. Importantly, the majority of patients reported minimal visual disturbances—91% experienced little or no bothersome glare, 93% reported minimal halos, and 92% reported little to no starbursts. These outcomes suggest that the lens effectively balances extended depth of focus with visual clarity and comfort.
In a separate analysis focusing on spectacle independence, results showed that a high percentage of patients were able to function without corrective eyewear. Approximately 96% of patients reported independence from glasses for distance vision, 95% for intermediate vision, and 61% for near vision. Overall patient satisfaction was reported at 93% across all visual distances, highlighting the lens’s ability to meet patient expectations in daily life.
Another real-world dataset examined the performance of the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL in patients with residual postoperative refractive error. This analysis demonstrated that the lens maintains strong visual outcomes even in the presence of minor refractive imperfections. Mean binocular uncorrected distance vision remained at 20/19 for both ametropic and emmetropic patients. Additionally, 91% of ametropic patients and 96% of emmetropic patients reported spectacle independence for distance vision, with satisfaction rates exceeding 90% in both groups. These findings underscore the lens’s tolerance to refractive error, an important consideration in real-world surgical outcomes.
Prospective Clinical Trial Confirms Efficacy and Safety
In addition to real-world evidence, data from a U.S.-based prospective, randomized clinical trial involving 200 patients across nine sites further validate the performance of the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL. This study compared the EDOF lens to a standard monofocal control, providing a rigorous assessment of its clinical benefits.
The trial demonstrated that the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL delivers high-quality distance vision comparable to monofocal lenses, while significantly improving intermediate vision. Patients also experienced some enhancement in near vision, contributing to a broader range of functional sight. Importantly, contrast sensitivity—a key measure of visual quality—remained comparable to that of aspheric monofocal lenses, addressing a common concern associated with multifocal and extended depth of focus technologies.
Visual disturbances were reported at low levels, consistent with findings from the real-world study. These results suggest that the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL achieves a balance between extended vision and visual comfort, reducing trade-offs that have historically limited the adoption of advanced lens technologies.
Further analyses presented at the conference explored specific aspects of visual performance. One study highlighted improved intermediate and near vision outcomes compared to monofocal lenses, while another demonstrated an expanded depth of focus, enabling patients to see clearly across a wider range of distances. A separate comparison of tolerance to refractive error showed that 94% of patients achieved corrected distance vision of 20/25 or better, and overall patient satisfaction reached 97%.
Advancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes
Cataract surgery remains one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, with millions of patients undergoing lens replacement each year. While traditional monofocal IOLs have been effective in restoring distance vision, they often require patients to rely on glasses for intermediate and near tasks. The development of EDOF lenses like TECNIS PureSee™ represents a significant step forward in addressing these limitations.
By providing a continuous range of vision, the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL helps patients perform everyday activities—such as reading, using digital devices, and driving—without the need for multiple pairs of glasses. The lens’s ability to minimize visual disturbances further enhances its appeal, as these symptoms can significantly impact patient satisfaction and quality of life.
The data presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2026 Annual Meeting reinforce the clinical value of this technology, demonstrating that it can deliver consistent and reliable outcomes across diverse patient populations and clinical settings.
Indications and Safety Considerations
The TECNIS PureSee™ IOL is indicated for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients undergoing cataract surgery, particularly those with minimal pre-existing corneal astigmatism. It is designed to mitigate the effects of presbyopia by providing an extended depth of focus, allowing patients to achieve improved intermediate vision while maintaining strong distance vision.
A toric version of the lens, TECNIS PureSee™ Toric II, is also available for patients with significant corneal astigmatism. This version provides both astigmatism correction and extended depth of focus, offering a comprehensive solution for a broader range of patients.
As with any medical device, the use of intraocular lenses requires careful consideration of potential risks and benefits. Surgeons must evaluate each patient’s individual condition and ensure that the chosen lens is appropriate for their needs. Potential risks associated with cataract surgery include infection, inflammation, retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure, and posterior capsular opacification.
Proper surgical technique and adherence to recommended guidelines are essential for achieving optimal outcomes. For example, accurate alignment of toric lenses is critical for effective astigmatism correction, as misalignment can reduce their effectiveness. Additionally, the lens and its delivery system must be handled with care to maintain sterility and structural integrity.
Strengthening Surgeon Confidence and Patient Outcomes
The comprehensive data presented by Johnson & Johnson at ASCRS 2026 provide strong support for the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL as a next-generation solution in cataract surgery. By combining high-quality distance vision with improved intermediate and near capabilities, the lens addresses key unmet needs in ophthalmic care.
For surgeons, the lens offers a reliable option that can deliver consistent results across a wide range of patients, including those with minor refractive errors. For patients, it represents an opportunity to achieve greater visual independence and improved quality of life.
As the field of ophthalmology continues to evolve, innovations like the TECNIS PureSee™ IOL are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of vision correction. The data presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2026 Annual Meeting underscore the potential of this technology to redefine standards of care and set new benchmarks for clinical excellence in cataract surgery.
About Vision at Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has a deep legacy in developing transformational new products that improve the health of patients’ eyes. We have a bold ambition: Vision Made Possible – improving sight for more than 40 million people each year. Through cutting-edge innovation, expertise in material and optical science, and advanced technologies, we are revolutionizing the way people see and experience the world. Visit us at clearvisionforyou.com, follow @JNJVision on X, Johnson & Johnson | Vision on LinkedIn, and @JNJVision on Facebook.
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
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