Information About Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implant Surgery
- The inability of the eye to focus for near is called Presbyopia and occurs naturally with aging. As a result of Presbyopia, most older individuals need reading glasses or bifocals for close work. In standard cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a lens implant. With conventional surgery, the monofocal lens implant allows most patients to see well in the distance, but, as with the Presbyopia that develops due to age, spectacles are needed for near visual tasks such as reading, paying bills, sewing and craftwork, and shopping.
- Many patients desire better visual functioning after cataract surgery and do not want to be dependent on spectacles all the time for their near vision activities. For these patients precision cataract surgery techniques and advanced implant technology are available using a Multifocal Intraocular Lens that can correct both distance vision and presbyopia. This surgical option allows greater independence from glasses for both distance and near visual functioning.
- The multifocal lens implant that we currently recommend for most patients is the ReSTOR aspheric lens implant. Because ReSTOR Cataract Surgery allows for greater freedom from spectacles than standard cataract surgery, we recommend this option to our patients when a more natural and functional vision is desired after cataract surgery.
- Not all patients are candidates for ReSTOR Cararact Surgery due to the presence of other eye conditions. We will discuss this with you at the time of your cataract evaluation.
- The surgical risks of ReSTOR Cataract Surgery are essentially the same as for standard cataract surgery. Although there is additional testing required prior to a ReSTOR procedure the overall patient experience is the same as well. Although no guarantees can be made with any type of cataract surgery, it is one of the lowest risk procedures performed. A complete description of the risks involved will be reviewed on our cataract surgical consent form. Please take the time to read the consent carefully prior to scheduling your surgery.
- Health insurances, including Medicare, will provide coverage for removal of the cataract, but not for correction of presbyopia with ReSTOR IOL implantation. Patients are therefore responsible for the additional charge of $1000 payable to Eye Associates of Lancaster, and another fee to the surgery center of approximately $1000 per eye.
What to Expect after you have ReSTOR Cataract Surgery
- Compared to the absence of near vision with a standard monofocal IOL, the ReSTOR IOL offers the significant advantage of providing vision for near tasks as well as distance. With ReSTOR Cataract Surgery the independence from spectacles is dramatically improved. For some demanding near tasks, or visual activities at arms length such as reading music or prolonged computer use may need enhancement with spectacles. Patients should understand that even though they may be functionally better than with a standard monofocal IOL, they may still wear some type of glasses for certain activities.
- The ReSTOR IOL does not provide good reading vision in dim light conditions. Brighter light is required for this IOL than for a standard monofocal IOL where magnifiers or bifocals are needed for reading.
- With standard cataract and monofocal lens implant surgery haloes and glare effects around lights are reported to occur with a frequency of about 2%. With the ReSTOR IOL this incidence is higher with a reported symptom rate of about 5% of patients. These symptoms usually are quite tolerable and improve with time. Rarely this is bothersome enough to require removal and exchange of the implant.
- It is not uncommon to have one eye see better after both eyes have had any type of cataract surgery, The best visual functioning with ReSTOR Cataract Surgery is achieved when both eyes have the procedure. Occasionally a patient who has had standard cataract surgery in one eye may choose to have ReSTOR Cataract Surgery in the other. This option needs to evaluated and discussed individually beforehand. If both eyes are to have surgery, the second procedure is normally performed about one month after the first.
- The great majority of patients (80% or better) who have both eyes treated with ReSTOR Cataract Surgery have reported no longer wearing any corrective lenses following the procedure. Since lens implants do not lose power or wear out over time, the independence from glasses can reasonably be expected to last as long as the eyes remain free from disease. Hopefully, with good genes and regular monitoring of the health of the eye, this should be a lifetime for the vast majority who are eligible for this advanced technology.
- If you have any questions not already addressed by your surgeon at the time of your visit, our technical staff and surgery coordinator will be happy to provide further information at the time of your surgery scheduling appointment. Our surgery scheduling department may be reached at 717-397-4724.
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