Multifocal Implants

Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the U.S with nearly three million surgeries performed annually. Cataracts cannot be prevented and are the leading cause of treatable blindness worldwide. With so many Americans undergoing treatment for cataracts, a revolutionary new product has just been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat cataract patients with or without presbyopia.

With this new first of its kind intraocular lens (IOL), 80 percent of patients in the clinical trial reported never wearing glasses following bilateral cataract surgery. The IOL is called AcrySof® ReSTOR ®, and it is the world’s first apodized diffractive IOL for cataract patients with or without presbyopia. The IOL provides patients with a full range of vision (near, intermediate and distance) and greatly reduces their reliance on reading glasses or bifocals. This is the first time this level of freedom has ever been achieved in IOL clinical trials.

AcrySof® ReSTOR ® IOL also includes ultraviolet and blue light filtering technology. The patented filter does not alter the natural colors of the things patients see or the quality of their vision.

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens delivers the potential for freedom from reading glasses or bifocals for cataract patients to improve vision for everyday life.

How does the performance of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens compare with conventional monofocal lenses?

During the clinical study, four out of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® patients found that they no longer needed their glasses after having the lens implanted in both eyes, compared to only 8% of patients with monofocal lenses.

Other advantages include:

• Full range of vision. With this increase in vision quality, AcrySof® ReSTOR® patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam in most states.

• The ability to read small type quickly and easily. While only one of 13 patients with the other IOL could read small type, four of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® patients were still able to read small type.

• Better vision in all lighting situations. Whether in brightly or dimly lit conditions the apodized diffractive optics of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens minimizes the occurrence and severity of visual disturbances compared to other multifocal technology

As with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks and benefits. While there may be a decrease in the need for glasses some patients may notice rings around lights at night. These side effects may make it more difficult to drive at night or perform tasks in low light conditions. While virtually everyone experiences an improvement in vision after cataract surgery, some people will have better uncorrected vision than others. Therefore, it is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your doctor who will let you know if the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens is right for you.