SANTA ANA, Calif.—Advanced Medical Optics (NYSE: EYE) recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its Tecnis Multifocal intraocular lens for cataract patients.

“The introduction of the Tecnis Multifocal IOL in the U.S. rounds out AMO’s portfolio of market-leading, refractive technologies,” said AMO’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jim Mazzo. The lens has been used in Europe for several years.

Tecnis Multifocal IOLs are indicated for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients with and without presbyopia in whom a cataractous lens has been removed by phacoemulsification and who desire near, intermediate, and distance vision with increased spectacle independence, according to the company.

AMO said it plans to ship the new lens to U.S. surgeons in early 2009.