Understanding Premium Lens Implants

In the last ten years cataract surgery has made some tremendous advancements in both the surgical technique and the lens optics portion of vision correction. For the purposes of educating our patients on new lens implant options called premium lens implants we first need to discuss monofocal vs. multifocal implants. Of additional consideration are the new accommodating lens implants known as the Crystalens. This new accommodating lens implant has been widely popular amongst patients as well. Both accommodating IOLs and multifocal IOLs specifically focus on helping patients see at multiple distances instead of one distance like a monofocal IOL.

What is the difference between a monofocal and a multifocal intraocular lens?

A monofocal lens corrects only one distance, so you will still need to wear glasses after the surgery to see at other distances. A multifocal lens can improve your distance, intermediate, and most of your close vision. The purpose of a multifocal lens is to be less dependent on glasses. This multifocal lens does not always guarantee that you will be totally glasses free, but does allow them remarkably improved vision at most distances.

The Acrysof® Restor® IOL
How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Multifocal IOL work?

When we perform various activities throughout the day that require vision such as reading the newspaper or driving a car our eyes are constantly changing focus at various distances. When changing focus at varying distances our eyes need to accommodate. You may already understand this but as you get older this ability to accommodate gets more difficult. Typically people over 40 start to require reading glasses or bifocal lenses. Now that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Multifocal IOL is available at Eye Physicians of Long Beach our patients can see better at a multitude of distances.

The Acrysof® Restor® IOL was one of the very first premium lens implants that achieved a high level of success. Many patients speak very highly of this implant and many patients that wore glasses for year so not wear them anymore with the exception of a few instances. The FDA data indicates that 80% of patients were spectacle-free after cataract surgery with this lens implant. Patients often describe that they can see more clear and with more vibrance.

Who is a Restor candidate?

• Any patient who has a normal eye exam and is dependent on reading glasses or bifocals may be a candidate. it is not necessary to need cataract surgery to qualify for the ReSTOR lens, just a desire to restore eyesight at a range of distances without corrective eyewear.

There are no known contraindications. However, based on the FDA clinical trials, Alcon, the lens manufacturer, has indicated the following types of patients possibly should not have the AcrySof ReSTOR Apodized Diffractive IOL:

FDA approval date:
March 21, 2005. It has been approved for use in Europe since April 4, 2003.

The Crystalens®
What is the crystalens® accommodative intraocular lens?

The crystalens accommodating intraocular lens is an intraocular lens used after cataract surgery or as a lens alternative in presbyopic lens exchange. The concept of the lens was engineered with a hinge design to allow the optic, or part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as your focus on an image changes. The crystalens® accommodative intraocular lens is permanently implanted with a surgical process and functions in a similar fashion as the natural eye. Once the surgery has been completed your eyes can focus on far or near objects in a comfortable way with no discomfort. If you are experiencing presbyopia or cataracts please feel free to consult us about the possibility of utilizing the new crystalens® accommodative intraocular lens.

FDA Clinical Trial Information

Toric IOL lens implants

Many patients suffer from a common eye condition known as an astigmatism. Often an astigmatism can lead to blurred or impaired vision if it becomes moderate or severe. The cause of the blurred and impaired vision is the result of the eye's cornea or lens having an irregular shape. A normal eye's cornea and lens have a circular shape whereas an eye with an astigmatism has a longer more oval shape.

Eye surgery is not always needed for patients with an astigmatism. Most astigmatisms are not severe enough to warrant surgery and can self correct with contacts or glasses. Only in cases where the astigmatism cannot correct itself and vision becomes too impaired is surgery necessary. Cataract patients who have a pre-existing astigmatism can benefit from a surgical procedure that can correct both the cataract and astigmatism. Cataract patients who suffer from astigmatism can request a Toric IOL to correct their vision without the need of contacts or glasses.

Over the past ten years, doctors have looked for ways to help correct astigmatisms in cataract patients. Surgeons have tried to alter the shape of the cornea by making an incision during the cataract surgery. Now, with the creation of the Toric IOLs, vision can be improved or repaired without more surgery. The Toric IOL helps to refocus vision to the eye once the natural lens and the cataract have been removed from the patient. The design of the Toric IOL is also used to correct preexisting astigmatism with the same technology as contact lenses. The Toric IOL has the ability to alieve patients from being dependent on corrective lenses after they've had cataract surgery.

Patient's who have an astigmatic problem and are candidates for cataract surgery can request a Toric IOL to help improve their vision. A Toric IOL can treat both the cataract and astigmatism in one surgical out-patient procedure.