Implant Choices

Like your aging lens, traditional implants cannot change shape to help you see both up close and off at a distance. But several options are available to help you minimize–or even eliminate–your need for any type of glasses after cataract surgery.
For instance, your doctor may place implants in your eyes with the appropriate strength for you to see well at a distance, and you can wear reading glasses when you want to see up close, such as for reading.

Another option is for your doctor to select the implant strength for you to see clearly off at a distance for one eye, and a different strength–the one for up close–for your other eye, so that you can see clearly at all distances without glasses after surgery. This works well for most people, but some people have trouble with depth perception when their two eyes are focused at different distances.

In recent years, several types of toric, accommodative and multifocal implants have been developed. These lenses correct your astigmatism, or allow you to see clearly at a variety of distances, effectively eliminating the need for glasses. It should be noted, however, that these new lens technologies are considered elective by Medicare and most payers, thus the difference in price between a standard cataract IOL and the new technology must be paid by the patient.

Talk with your doctor about the various types of implants available, and their effects on your vision after surgery. You and your doctor will develop a plan that pairs you with the best type of implants for your eyes and your vision needs.

ReSTOR

Description

The ReSTOR lens is a foldable multifocal lens made of acrylic, and utilizes a unique optic design to provide near, intermediate and distance vision as well. The center zone has a series of tiny steps that work together to focus light for near through distance vision. 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. In addition to this central region, there is a surrounding outer ring that is dedicated to focusing light for distance.

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ReZoom

Description

The ReZoom lens is another type of multifocal lens made of clear, foldable acrylic. It makes use of an optic design containing five focusing zones for a full range of vision. Zone 1, the central portion, provides distance vision under bright light conditions. Each of the surrounding rings are the four zones that provide either distance or near vision under varying lighting conditions. The outer rings are specifically designed for dim lighting conditions when the pupil is large.

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Crystalens

Description

An accommodative IOL, the Crystalens features a hinged design that allows the lens to move forward when they eye attempts to focus on near objects, restoring some of the accommodative function in prebyopic patients. It works most like the eye’s natural lens, where the optic, or part of the IOL that you see through, moves back and forth as you constantly change focus on images around you.

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Toric

Monovision

Presbyopia