Johnson & Johnson is expanding the U.S. roll-out of its latest advancement in presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (PC-IOLs). The TECNIS PureSee IOL is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens designed to support visual clarity and quality for patients undergoing cataract surgery. This expansion aims to increase access to a lens that addresses both cataract-related vision loss and the effects of presbyopia. The device is the first and only U.S. FDA-approved EDOF IOL with no warning on loss of contrast sensitivity, a key factor in visual quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Clinical Performance and Patient Outcomes

The TECNIS PureSee IOL has demonstrated clinical results regarding visual symptoms and patient satisfaction. Data indicates that over half a million eyes worldwide have experienced an extended range of vision with the lens post-surgery. In clinical investigations, 97% of patients reported no very bothersome visual disturbances, and 97% stated they would recommend the TECNIS PureSee IOL to friends or family.

Technical Specifications and Indications

The TECNIS PureSee IOL is indicated for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients following cataract removal. It is designed to mitigate the effects of presbyopia by providing an extended depth of focus. Compared to an aspheric monofocal IOL, the TECNIS PureSee IOL provides improved intermediate visual acuity while maintaining comparable distance visual acuity. The device is intended for capsular bag placement only and must be inserted using the TECNIS SIMPLICITY Delivery System.

Cataract Awareness and Patient Education

The expanded availability coincides with Cataract Awareness Month. Johnson & Johnson has introduced a new patient lifestyle quiz to assist individuals in evaluating their daily activities and vision needs ahead of surgery. Cataracts are a leading cause of vision impairment, affecting nearly 20% of Americans aged 40 and older, yet only 5% have undergone cataract surgery. The company states that the procedure has a success rate of nearly 98% in the U.S.

Management Commentary

Erin Powers, President, Surgical Vision, North America, Johnson & Johnson, stated that the full U.S. availability reflects the company's commitment to innovation and patient satisfaction. She noted that the lens builds on the trusted TECNIS platform to meet patient expectations for vision solutions that support daily lifestyles while providing surgeons with greater flexibility to personalize care.

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries to pay $32 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma after using asbestos-contaminated talc products. The verdict, delivered in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, found the company liable for the illness and death of Maria Lozano, who passed away in 2024. Her children, John Lozano, Araceli Lenard-Lozano, and Jeanette Lozano, continued the lawsuit following her death.

The trial centered on Lozano's use of Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder from the early 1970s. Attorneys for the family argued that decades of exposure to the product caused her fatal cancer. The jury rejected Johnson & Johnson's defense, which claimed Lozano's asbestos exposure stemmed from environmental conditions in Mexico City, cosmetic products, and her husband's automotive work. The verdict form assigned 0% fault to these alternate sources.

Legal Proceedings and Findings

The case, titled Lozano v. Johnson & Johnson, was part of the Coordinated Proceeding Special Title LAOSD Asbestos Cases under Coordinated Case No. JCCP 4674. During the trial, evidence was presented showing that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers associated with asbestos-contaminated talc despite longstanding knowledge of the risks.

Attorneys from Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, represented the Lozano family. Danny Kraft, one of the attorneys, stated that the jury carefully considered the evidence and concluded that Lozano's mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-contaminated Johnson's Baby Powder. Mark Linder, another attorney for the family, emphasized that the verdict holds Johnson & Johnson accountable for the harm caused.

Verdict Details

The jury's decision underscores the ongoing legal challenges Johnson & Johnson faces regarding its talc products. The $32 million award is intended to compensate the family for their loss and the company's failure to warn consumers of the associated risks.