Lens Implants | Raleigh Eye Center | Contact Lens Implants

Multi-focal Lens Implants

ReSTOR® | ReZOOM® | Crystalens®

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens.
Sight changing, life changing.

Introducing a breakthrough in vision surgery. Now there's a revolutionary new way to potentially leave your glasses behind – introducing the AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL), a breakthrough in vision surgery. AcrySof® ReSTOR® has been uniquely designed to improve vision at all distances – up close, far away and everything in-between – giving cataract patients their best chance ever to live free of glasses.

Freedom. See it in your eyes.

A new look on life with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL
Previously, IOLs used in cataract procedures provided good functional distance vision, but offered little benefit for a full range of vision. That meant that people with those IOLs would still need reading glasses from time to time. Now there is a new option – the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is designed to improve vision at all distances.

Does this mean freedom from glasses? For many, yes. With the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, many people can read, drive and do other tasks without glasses. In fact, during the clinical trials, 80% of AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients reported never wearing glasses after having the lens implanted in both eyes, compared to only 8% of patients with monofocal lenses. However, as with many things, there may be a tradeoff – while you may gain clear vision throughout your visual range, you may experience halos or glare. Most patients find these tradeoffs tolerable, but you should discuss this with your doctor.

AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL

Finally, the opportunity for freedom from reading glasses and bifocals.
Until recently, life without reading glasses or bifocals was not an option for most cataract patients. You now have an option. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is a unique technological innovation that can provide you with quality vision throughout the entire visual spectrum – near through distance – with increased independence from reading glasses or bifocals!

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work?
As we perform daily activities such as reading, watching television or working at the computer, our eyes are constantly focusing on objects at varying distances – up close, far away and everything in-between. The ability to quickly change focus throughout this range of vision is called accommodation.Unfortunately, this ability diminishes as we grow older1, causing us to become dependent on bifocals or reading glasses. However, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL was designed to provide quality near to distance vision by combining the strengths of apodized diffractive refractive technologies. Similar technology has been used for years in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality, and has now been patented for use in intraocular lenses by Alcon.

Apodized Diffractive
Apodization is the gradual tapering of the diffractive steps from the center to the outside edge of a lens to create a smooth transition of light between the distance, intermediate and near focal points. Diffraction involves the bending or spreading of light to multiple focal points as it passes through the lens. On the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, the center of the lens surface consists of an apodized diffractive optic. This means that the series of tiny steps in that center area work together to focus light for near through distance vision..

Refractive
Refraction involves the redirection of light passing through the lens, to focus on the retina. The refractive region of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL bends light as it passes through the lens to a focal point on the retina. This outer ring of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL surrounds the apodized diffractive region and is dedicated to focusing light for distance vision.

How You'll See

Vision for your everyday life
Incredible range of vision
For most patients, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers excellent near and distance vision, and good intermediate vision without reading glasses or bifocals. In fact, with this increase in vision quality, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam in most states.

The ability to read quickly and easily
In an independently conducted study, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients were tested to see how easily they could read paragraphs of decreasing font size, and their results were compared to patients with other IOLs. While only one of 13 patients with other IOLs could read small type (such as the newspaper), four of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® patients were still able to read small type quickly and easily.¹

Better vision for various lighting situations
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers quality vision for various lighting situations. In brightly lit conditions, the central apodized diffractive portion of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL sends light waves simultaneously to both near and distant focal points, while, in dimly lit conditions, the surrounding refractive area sends greater energy to distance vision.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REZOOM™ MULTIFOCAL LENS AND THE PROCEDURE

Will I still need to wear glasses if my surgeon recommends a ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens?
The results will vary depending upon your vision, lifestyle and the anatomy of your eyes. Most people find that they need glasses to read small type or drive at night. Most people, however, can go to the store or conduct many of their day's activities without depending on glasses. In a clinical study, 92% of those who received the technology in ReZoom™ Multifocal Lenses "never" or only "occasionally" needed to wear glasses.

How is the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens different from traditional monofocal intraocular lenses?
The ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens is a multifocal intraocular lens. Unlike traditional monofocal (single-vision) lens implants, the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens provides quality vision at all distances – near (reading), intermediate (computer use or cooking), and far (driving). Traditional monofocal lenses usually provide good vision only at a distance with limited ability to see objects that are near without glasses.

How does the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens replace the cataract?
The natural lens inside the eye is gently removed through a tiny incision in the periphery of your eye's cornea. The cataract-impaired lens is then removed through this incision and the lens implant is inserted in its place to permanently replace it. The procedure usually takes about 15 to 45 minutes and vision is usually improved immediately.

What if my medical history or current medication prevents me from considering an injection of local anesthesia?
Today, anesthesia may also be administered topically. This means no injection is required, and the medication numbs the eye without entering the bloodstream. Your physician can tell you if this is an appropriate option for you.

How long after surgery until I see my best?
Like most procedures, this depends upon the overall health of your eye. For most people, vision is noticeably better immediately and continues to improve during the first few weeks after the procedure.

Does the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens require an adjustment period?
Yes. For most people there is a period of weeks when your brain is learning to "see" up close and at a distance with the new lens. This adjustment period is usually complete within 6 to 12 weeks. Also, like all multifocal lenses, some people report halos or glare around lights. Again, for most people this diminishes over time. For some, it becomes less troublesome but never completely goes away. Most people report that the ability to see near, intermediate and far outweighs any visual side effects associated with the lens.

Are there any risks of having the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens procedure?
As with any surgical procedure there are risks. The biggest risk with any cataract procedure is infection. Fewer than 1% of patients having a lens implant procedure ever get an infection and most are treated successfully with medications. Infections, however, can cause a severe or total loss of vision.

WHAT IS THE crystalens®?

The first and only FDA approved accommodating intraocular lens.
The only lens that uses the natural focusing ability of the eye.
The only lens that provides a single focal point throughout a continuous range of vision from far to near.

The crystalens® accommodating lens

The crystalens® accommodating intraocular lens is engineered with a hinge designed to allow the optic, or part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as you constantly change focus on images around you.

The crystalens® is intended for the visual correction of aphakia secondary to the removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with and without presbyopia.

98.4% of patients implanted with crystalens in both eyes could pass a driver's test without glasses.
100% could see intermediate (24" to 30") without glasses, the distance for most of life's activities.
98.4% could see well enough to read the newspaper and the phone book without glasses.
Some patients did require glasses for some tasks after implantation of the crystalens.
Significantly more patients implanted with a crystalens (88.4%) could see better at all distances then patients implanted with a standard IOL (35.9%).