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Multifocal
and Accommodative Lens Implants |
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The primary goal of refractive lensectomy or cataract
surgery is to reduce your dependence on glasses
and contacts by removing the eye’s natural
lens and replacing it with a clear lens (the intraocular
lens [IOL] or “implant”). Because
of recent advances in IOL technology as well as
technology used to measure the eye and plan surgery,
we can often make our patients less dependent
on glasses. Some patients are able to eliminate
glasses entirely, although it is impossible to
guarantee with any of these technologies that
you will be able to function without glasses for
all tasks.
After you have had surgery and your vision is
fully corrected for distance, you will no longer
be able to focus on near objects. By removing
the natural lens inside your eye and replacing
it with an artificial lens, you will lose the
ability to adjust focus on objects at different
distances. There are three ways to deal with this
problem:
1. Aim for Distance Vision in Each Eye
Using a Monofocal Lens
The simplest approach is to correct each
eye for distance with your artificial lens and
to use reading glasses for your near vision. This
is the option that most of our cataract surgery
patients choose. It uses the tried and true technology
of monofocal (single-focus) IOLs that has been
developed with great success for over 50 years.
Using the sophisticated technology along with
third generation formulas to calculate lens powers,
well over 90% of our patients with otherwise healthy
eyes will achieve vision that is 20/40 or better
— good enough to pass a drivers’ license
test without glasses in any state in the country.
Patients with monofocal lenses and good distance
vision generally require reading glasses or
bifocals to see up close. Reading glasses have
the virtue of being inexpensive (generally around
$10) and readily available without a prescription.
Wearing reading glasses of some kind is very
common after cataract surgery.
2. Aim For Monovision With Monofocal
Lenses
Monovision is a common technique to reduce your
dependence on glasses or contacts. One eye is
corrected for distance with the correct artificial
lens power, and the other eye is corrected for
near by using a lens that is slightly too strong.
Therefore, one eye sees better distance and
the other eye sees better near. Together they
see well at all distances, though most people
still need some help for some visual tasks such
as reading for long periods of time or for night
driving.
The disadvantage or monovision is that both
eyes no longer work together for distance or
near vision. Some patients, realizing the advantage
or increased freedom from glasses and contacts,
tolerate this disparity extremely well. Other
patients are unable to tolerate the imbalance
between the two eyes. It is important that a
patient go through a trial with monovision contact
lenses before having monovision permanently
implanted in the eye.
3. Aim For Both Near and Distance Vision
in Each Eye With Multifocal or Accommodative Lenses
Multifocal or accommodative lenses offer the best
potential for reducing your dependence on glasses
or contacts after surgery. These lenses work by
providing simultaneous near and distance vision
in each eye, thus allowing both eyes to work together
for both distance and near. There are three enhanced
IOLs, and each of these designs has relative strengths
and weaknesses as follows:
| |
ReZoom |
ReSTOR |
crystalens |
| Distance |
Excellent |
Good |
Excellent |
| Intermediate |
Very Good |
Fair |
Very Good |
| Near |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
| Total Add Power |
+ 2.60 D |
+ 3.20 D |
+ 1.25 D |
- Click
here to learn more about the ReZoom
Multifocal Lens
- Click here to
learn more about the ReSTOR Multifocal
Lens
- Click here to
learn more about the Crystalens
Accommodating Lens
Weaknesses inherent in multifocal and accommodative
IOL designs include aberrations that can cause
glare and halos, especially at night. About 1
in 20 patients describe the glare and halos with
these lenses as “severe.” These lenses work best
with binocular vision (both eyes working together),
therefore, you will not get the full effect of
vision until you have had surgery on your second
eye.
Although enhanced lenses may represent your best
option for reducing your dependence upon glasses
and contacts, it is impossible to guarantee that
you will be able to throw away your glasses. Reading
glasses, for instance, will always magnify near
objects and make them easier to see, even with
enhanced lenses.
Understand that Medicare and most private insurers
consider multifocal and accomodative lenses a
luxury technology that is not absolutely necessary
for good vision, and thus they will not cover
the costs of these lenses.
You will have an un-insurance covered fee of $ 2,500 per eye for lifestyle lenses.
We accept Visa, MasterCard,
Discover Card, and American Express credit cards.
We also offer financing
through ChaseHealthAdvance.
You can learn more about this financing option
by visiting www.chasehealthadvance.com,
or by calling their toll-free number at (888)
519-6111. We also offer financing through CareCredit. Visit them at www.carecredit.com or call them at (800) 365-8295.
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