By John W. Sharp, Jr., MD
Eye Associates of Lancaster

The most common problem affecting the aging eye is cataract. A cataract is a clouding or opacity of the natural internal lens of the eye. When it is removed surgically, the clouded natural lens is replaced by a remarkable devise called an intraocular lens implant or IOL.

When your eye surgeon places an intraocular lens at the time of cataract removal, not only is the clouded natural lens replaced with a clear one, other preexisting optical problems of the eye such as nearsightedness or farsightedness can be corrected. Until recently, commonly used monofocal intraocular lens implants had corrective power only for distance, Typically, patients with this type of IOL would see quite well for distance without glasses and they require glasses mostly for reading.

New technology however, has led to significant new designs of the optical power of IOLs allowing them to function for more than just distance. Many cataract patients will now have the option of choosing an IOL that will correct vision well not only for distance but also providing adequate near vision to also allow reading without the use of glasses. Distance and reading vision are both provided by the lens implant.

Eye Associates of Lancaster offers two new IOLs; one is called the ReSTOR lens implant and the other is called the Toric lens implant. Eye surgeons must receive special certification demonstrating high standards of accuracy and high quality of their surgical results to provide this new technology.

Not everyone will be a good candidate for these IOLs. If you are someone exposed t or bothered by frequent glare problems these new IOLs may not be a good choice for you. Additionally, some patients may still require glasses even with the new lens implant to achieve the best possible functioning for more demanding visual tasks. But quite remarkably, the majority of patients receiving the latest technology IOL have been shown by studies to no longer wear glasses at all.

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 other 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 eligble for this news technology.

Please call to schedule an appointment to discuss your specific questions with one of our physicians or staff.

For more Information, click here.