If you are considering cataract surgery, there are several exciting new lens options available. A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. When the cloudiness progresses to the point that it interferes with the daily routines or impairs vision, cataract surgery is performed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens implants (IOL).

Standard IOL’s which have a long and reliable track record only focus at a single distance. With these lenses, people who elect to have their vision for distance still need reading glasses.

ReSTOR IOL uses a special optical design to split the incoming light allowing distance and near focus at the same time. This lens tends to work best for distance vision (driving) and near vision (reading).

Doctors that specializes in ReSTOR IOL:

Arthur J. Weinstein, MD
Mark P. Lesher, MD
Renny Levy, MD
Kristin Reidy, MD
Robert F. Melendez, MD

The Crystalens IOL actually flexes inside the eye, similar to the action of the natural human lens, as its mechanism for changing focus. It’s best focusing is at distance (driving) and at intermediate (computer) with a degree of limited near vision in some patients.

Doctors that specialize in Crystalens IOL:

Arthur J. Weinstein, MD
Mark P. Lesher, MD
Renny Levy, MD

Patients who have a significant amount of astigmatism are generally not candidates for these lenses that offer focus at different distances, but there is also an exciting new IOL just for astigmatism. Astigmatism is a problem with the eye resulting from the clear window over the eye (the cornea) being shaped more like an oval rather than a sphere. Glasses or contacts are generally used to correct astigmatism, but the Alcon Acrysof Toric IOL has astigmatism correction built into the intraocular lens itself! For some patients there is also the option of placing small incisions in the cornea (Limbal Relaxing Incisions or LRI’s) at the time of cataract surgery to treat smaller amounts of astigmatism or in addition to the Toric IOL for larger amounts of Astigmatism

What is the Toric IOL?
The Alcon Toric IOL is a single focus lens that addresses astigmatism. Astigmatism is a condition that results when the clear window over the front of the eye (the cornea) is shaped like an oval rather than a sphere, resulting in blurry vision at all distances. Astigmatism is usually corrected with contacts or glasses, but with the Acrysof Toric IOL the correction is built into the IOL itself, reducing the patient’s need for glasses at distance.

Doctors that specialize in Alcon Acrysof Toric IOL:

Arthur J. Weinstein, MD
Mark P. Lesher, MD
Tina Watterberg, MD
Molly E. Ritsema, MD
Renny Levy, MD
Kristin Reidy, MD
Robert F. Melendez, MD

One other option available for focusing at more than one distance involves something called Monovision. This technique has long been used by some contact lens wearers to focus one eye for distance and one eye for near. This same effect can be achieved with cataract surgery using Standard or Toric lens implants. Monovision requires extra testing and planning before surgery, but does help patients achieve greater freedom from glasses after cataract surgery.

These Specialty lenses and procedures have additional costs that are not covered by medical insurance. Our office can explain those costs to you and help you with a variety of financing options.