What are Presbyopia-Correcting Lens Implants?

Today, patients like you do have a choice.  Due to tremendous advances is lens technology, we are able to offer you the choice of lenses that can correct both your distance vision and presbyopia.  They are called presbyopia-correcting lens implants. These lens implants provide excellent vision after cataract surgery at a variety of distances. Patients who choose presbyopia-correcting lenses will likely find that they can drive, watch television, read and do crafts with minimal or diminished need for glasses.

Depending on your specific vision requirement and your lifestyle preferences, there are several  types of presbyopia-correcting lens implants your cataract surgeon might suggest.  For the vast majority of patients, having these lens implants means that you will be able to see at distance and up close with less dependence on glasses.

There are two options that can minimize your reliance on glasses following cataract surgery.  The first option is called an accommodating implant.   The accommodating lens implant, such as Crystalens®,  actually changes shape within your eye to keep distant or nearer objects in focus. The second type is a multifocal implant.  Multifocal implants, such as ReStor® and ReZoom® lenses, achieve enhanced near vision by splitting the light focus from an object into two different focal points, one for distance and one for nearer vision.  

Each of these three lenses has slightly different focusing properties, so that careful discussion with your eye surgeon is necessary to determine which may be of most benefit for your individual lifestyle and visual needs.

Only about 15% of patients who choose multifocal or accommodating lens implants will require glasses some or most of the time.  So, patients choosing these lens implants typically experience a greater overall freedom from glasses, allowing them to participate in most everyday activities without dependence on, or the hassle of glasses.

In some cases, patients are unable to adapt to the type of vision which multifocal correcting lenses can produce, or have been disturbed by glare, halos or other visual disturbances from these lenses, and have requested replacement of the lens implant with a monofocal implant.

Accommodating Lens Implants

Crystalens®

Crystalens®, is a single-focus accommodating intraocular lens.  It was developed to address the loss of intermediate and near focusing ability. Crystalens® is a cataract replacement lens that works naturally with your eyes' muscles to give you the quality of vision you enjoyed when you were younger.

The design element that makes Crystalens® the state-of-the-art replacement lens are "hinges" which are designed to allow the lens to move, or accommodate to focus on objects near, far and all distances in-between seamlessly.  Unlike old-style fixed focal lenses, which didn't move, this lens has the ability to move, thus focusing as your eye's natural lens did when you were younger. Your surgeon will take precise measurements to ensure the correct lens power selection for your eye.

Upon having your cataract removed, it is now possible for your surgeon to replace the lens with Crystalens ® in order to help you regain the ability to see not only at distance, but also see intermediate and near objects – with diminished dependence on glasses.

After your surgery and the placement of Crystalens ™, you will "relearn" how to focus your vision with your doctor's help and instruction. After a brief time of adaptation, it is expected that you will be able to perform most tasks without dependence on glasses.  The long term outcomes are stable, and demonstrate excellent intermediate and distance vision, as well as night driving.  Reading glasses may be required following surgery for fine, near visual tasks.

Multifocal Lens Implants

ReStor ®

The ReStor® intraocular lens gives the ability to focus light correctly on the retina for images at various distances without the mechanical movement of the lens.  The ReStor® lens usually results in good near and distance vision, and may eliminate your need to wear reading glasses for normal reading.  However, if you are a heavy reader and/or frequently read small print, reading glasses may still be needed.

Some patients who have ReStor® implants do not experience good improvement in the middle-range, such as for using the computer.  In addition, this lens is not recommended for patients who drive at night for a living or whose hobbies depend on good night vision, because of increased halos and glare.  In addition, the lens is not recommended for amateur or commercial airline pilots.

Vision improvement is almost immediate following implantation.

ReZoom® Multifocal Intraocular Lens

The ReZoom® Multifocal Intraocular Lens is an option for the treatment of both cataracts and presbyopia. It is designed to provide patients multifunctional vision if they have a strong desire for greater independence from glasses or contacts. The ReZoom® Lens is divided into five different zones with each zone designed for different light and focal distances. The size of its zones has been designed to provide for good vision in a range of light conditions. For instance, some zones have been designed to offer greater low light-distance vision during night driving whereas others provide better bright light-near vision for close vision activities.

The ReZoom® lens usually results in good distance, near and intermediate vision, and may eliminate your need to wear reading glasses for normal reading.  Some patients may experience halos and glare under lower lighting conditions.

For most people, vision is noticeably better within the first day and continues to improve during the first week after the procedure.

Monofocal Lens Implants
Presbyopia Correcting Lens Implants
Toric Astigmatism Lens Implants