How does Refractive Lens Exchange deal with presbyopia? Are you using bi-focal glasses?

Presbyopia is the natural deterioration of a patient’s near vision. Presbyopia is part of the eyes natural aging process and happens to everyone when they are old enough. The process typically manifests itself in the early forties with difficulty reading. Presbyopic patients will require bifocal glasses or contact lenses in order to see at all distances. Presbyopia is often referred to as a final frontier in vision correction because it is difficult to completely treat. Many presbyopic patients think that laser vision correction is a good option but not for everyone. By using the AcuFocus  intracorneal inlay, an accommodative lens or a multifocal IOL with refractive lens exchange, presbyopia can be reduced and even successfully eliminated in many cases. Your expectations for eliminating glasses will need to be discussed with your surgeon.

Premium Lens Implant Options

Prior to undergoing the refractive lens exchange procedure you will be given several choices for lens implant options. Our doctors will make a lens suggestion based on your specific visual needs. Each of the premium lens implant options have unique attributes that may or may not be beneficial. The Multifocal IOL lens implants are also commonly called premium lens implants and are typically used in refractive lens exchange cases.

AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL)

ReSTOR Lens is a premium artificial lens that can restore a full range of vision without complete dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The FDA clinical studies identified that 80% of patients receiving the ReSTOR Lens no longer required glasses for any activity. This is a truly revolutionary lens that is a good option for patients that do not like the concept of monovision and would like to have a chance of eliminating glasses. If you have been told you are not an ideal patient for LASIK, the ReSTOR® intraocular lens might be the next best option. Individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age are typically the best candidates for refractive lens exchange with the ReSTOR® intraocular lens. If you have both distance and reading issues or you require bifocals this might be a better complete vision solution than the much-respected LASIK eye surgery. Patients often think that they are LASIK patients but after understanding their complete visual picture it is easy to see that the ReSTOR® intraocular lens provides a better option for independence from glasses.

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL) work?

Various activities require different types of focusing. Your eyes are constantly changing focus on objects based on distance and proximity. The ability of the eye to actually change its focus is called accommodation. As people get older the ability to accommodate changes and the ability to read becomes impaired. The end result is that patients require reading glasses and in some cases bifocals. The ReSTOR® IOL was specifically designed to correct this exact issue. The lens actually provides both good near vision and good distance vision. By utilizing the apodized diffractive optic, the lens is capable of providing multifocal vision. 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 vision.
Source: Alcon Technologies Inc.

The benefit for refractive lens exchange patients is a high level of spectacle freedom. Alcon has patented the application of apodization technology to an IOL, making the AcrySof ReSTOR lens the first and only apodized diffractive IOL.

During U.S. clinical trials, the results with ReSTOR were remarkable:

• 80% of patients reported that after lens implant surgery with ReSTOR lenses, they no longer needed glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at all distances.
• 94% said they could drive and read the paper without contacts or glasses.
• Nearly 94% were so satisfied that they would have the procedure again.

The Eyeonics Crystalens™
Visit our Crystalens™ page

“The Crystalens™ is implanted after replacement of the natural crystalline lens or after cataract surgery.” Dr. William Ellis

This new lens has made its impact as one of the top three inserted premium intraocular lenses but is called an accommodative lens not a multifocal lens like the ReSTOR® IOL and Rezoom® lenses. Crystalens™ is a single focus lens, which works with your eyes own muscles to accommodate in order for patients to enjoy vision as they did as youngsters. Crystalens™ has the ability to “accommodate,” or change shape, allowing it to focus on both distant and near objects. The patented hinged design element enables the lens to actually move and accommodate to focus near, far and intermediate objects. If you are considering refractive lens exchange this lens might allow you to eliminate or reduce glasses from your lifestyle. Imagine being able to drive a golf ball and see it in the distance or imagine being able to just read the newspaper or see the alarm clock at night. This lens has the capability to deliver excellent vision at all ranges. If you would like to know more about the Crystalens™ or refractive lens exchange surgery please feel free to fill out one of our contact forms and one of our staff will contact you. Our practice will thoroughly diagnose your vision and then educate you on all available premium lens options prior to making a decision about surgery.

The Crystalens FDA data presented (497 patients):

• 98.4% of the patients could read NYSE, Wall Street Journal, Newspaper
• 100% of the patients could read their Email or computer screens.
• 98.4% were 20/40 or better in the distance (most were 20/20 or 20/30)

The ReZoom™ IOL

ReZoom™ intraocular lens is a refractive multifocal IOL that provides quality vision at near, far and intermediate distances. The lens is typically used in cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange cases and provides vision that traditional monofocal intraocular lenses cannot attain. The ReZoom™ IOL has a unique multifocal design that enables distribution of light over five optical zones. If you are seeking to completely eliminate your need for glasses this might not be the best option but the data suggests many patients are happy after this lens has been inserted. Obviously results will vary from patient to patient depending on vision. Before determining that this is the best lens option for your specific visual situation please make sure to consult directly with one of our doctors or trained ophthalmic staff.

Clinical Data
In study results provided by company officials:

• 93.3% of ReZoom patients reported independence from glasses for distance.
• For intermediate distances, 91.4% of patients reported independence from glasses. Meanwhile, 66.7% of patients reported independence from glasses for near.
• 93.0% of patients never or only occasionally wore glasses, according to the data.

Clinical Trials

The clinical trials for each lens were conducted in different ways, so results may not be directly comparable.

Expectations

Your expectations for the surgical outcome needs to be realistic and discussed with your surgeon prior to surgery. Replacing your natural lens with an artificial lens requires a little getting used to. Many people will experience an adjustment period while the brain is learning to see up close and at a distance with the new lens. The adjustment period typically ranges from 6 to 12 weeks and in some cases is even longer. It is not uncommon for patients to experience glare and haloes around objects immediately after the surgery. Over the course of time these effects should begin to diminish.

Alternative Surgical Options

With the recent advancements in ophthalmology and optics technology there are many options to correct myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia. Only your qualified ophthalmologist will understand which option is best for you. If you are myopic laser vision correction or LASIK eye surgery may be a better option. If you are mildly hyperopic the Nearvision CK might be a good option. Please feel free to visit the LASIK eye surgery page for more information.

Ellis Eye & Laser Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible vision correction solutions for our patients. The experience and dedication of Dr. Ellis make him and our center a clear choice for vision correction alternatives. If you are seeking vision correction and have been told that LASIK is the only option please feel free to consult us for a second opinion. The best vision correction outcomes occur with an informed patient and discussion of what option would be best.