Similarly, lens implants have also been used on patients without cataracts who have very high prescriptions in glasses, cannot tolerate contact lenses, or who are not candidates for LASIK or other laser vision correction options.  This has traditionally worked very well, but again, without any option for correcting loss of near focus except for monovision.

The challenges have been overcome with the approval of several advanced-technology IOLs.  Alcon Acrysof ReSTOR, AMO ReZoom, and eyeonics Crystalens are just three of the latest improvements on a lens technology that has been used to correct vision in patients with cataracts for the last 50 years. These lenses can be used in patients with or without cataracts who desire a life free from glasses not only for distance, but also for near work.  Although the goal of each lens is similar, they have particular differences in how they achieve presbyopia reduction. 

Alcon ReSTOR

Multifocal lenses are IOLs that have correction for both distance and near vision built on to them.  In the simplest terms, they are essentially implanted contact lenses.

The ReSTOR lens uses a patented system called apodized diffractive technology to improve vision at a range of distances from near, to mid-range, to distance, all in one lens. In US clinical trials more than 80% of patients who had the ReSTOR lens NEVER wore glasses after the surgery. 94% were able to read the newspaper and drive without glasses.

Crystalens

The crystalens has the unique ability to focus on objects at varying distances using the eye’s focusing muscles and flexing in a similar manner to the natural lens.  This means that it can provide sharp vision through a full range of sight from near to far and everything in between.

70% of patients did not need glasses of any kind after surgery, and 98% of patients surveyed could see about 20/40 and could read small type without glasses.

Re Zoom Lenses

Lens is an improvement on the original multifocal IOL, the Array lens.  It has shown decreased nighttime glare and halos than the Array lens and improved near and intermediate vision.  Like the ReSTOR lens, it has concentric rings that allow vision at distance and near.  It is an excellent option for reducing the need for glasses after cataract surgery or as a vision correcting procedure on its own.

Verisyse Implantable Contact Lenses (Phakic IOLs)

If you’re nearsighted beyond the reach of LASIK, Woolfson Eye Institute offers the only FDA approved implantable contact lenses, also known as phakic intraocular lenses. The Verisyse Phakic IOL is a thin intraocular lens implant placed in the eye without removing the natural lens of the eye, as is required in cataract surgery.

 


Diagram of an eye with Verisyse Phakic IOL

The procedure for correcting moderate to severe nearsightedness involves placing the Verisyse Phakic IOL behind your cornea and on top of your iris. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high-definition vision like a normal eye.  The word “phakic” means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye. This is important because your natural lens plays an important role in helping your  eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far.

Expectations

As in all procedures meant to restore or improve vision, not all patients experience perfect 20/20 vision for distance and near.  We understand that every individual is unique and so is their vision.  For this reason, Dr. Shatz and Woolfson Eye Institute provide a no-charge laser enhancement for qualified patients whose prescriptions have not been corrected to the target refraction. Dr. Shatz and Woolfson Eye Institute make this offer because we are confident in the stability of our patients’ visual outcome over the long-term.  A thorough discussion with Dr. Shatz and his team is the best way to decide which lens is best for you.