Deluxe Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lens Implants

Increased Freedom from Glasses After Cataract Surgery with Presbyopia-Correcting Deluxe Intraocular Lens Implants

Presbyopia and Cataract

As we get older, the eye begins to loose its focusing power, this is called presbyopia. Eventually, the lens of the eye can become cloudy and images become blurred (the cloudy lens is called a cataract).

Cataract surgery can restore vision loss due to cataract. After a cataract is removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) implant is placed permanently into the eye to help it focus. The standard implant, covered by Medicare and other insurances, provides clear vision at one distance, thus it is called a single-vision or mono-focal intraocular lens. The single-vision IOL focus is usually set for distance and glasses are typically needed for intermediate and near vision (trifocals and stronger bifocals, respectively). Single-vision implants do not have a wide range of focus, but rather one set point of focus. Single vision implants do not correct presbyopia, the loss of focusing power.

Deluxe Intraocular Lens
Implant (IOL) Overview

Recent advances in IOL technology have produced “Deluxe” implants that can give a much broader range of focus. These Deluxe, “presbyopica-correcting” IOLs work by either splitting light (with refraction or diffraction technology) to provided distant and near vision to the retina at the same time or by changing the focus point of the implant (called accommodation).

The ReSTOR IOL uses diffraction technology and the ReZOOM IOL uses refraction technology to split this light so that the retina simultaneously receives both distant and near images.  The Crystalens IOL uses accommodation technology; it changes focus of light by moving within the eye when the eye’s focusing muscle contracts. These lenses use three different technologies to help solve the focusing problem we call presbyopia. All of these Deluxe lenses can provide distant, intermediate and near vision and thus provide greater freedom from glasses.  Your surgeon will discuss the various options for Deluxe presbyopia-correcting IOLs.

Deluxe implants are not covered by Medicare or other insurances (unlike standard single-vision implants which are included in the cost of surgery). The additional cost for the presbyopia-correcting deluxe IOL surgery is paid by the patient who chooses this technology. Choosing the Deluxe IOL is not medically necessary and completely optional.  The major difference between cataract surgery with a traditional IOL versus cataract surgery with a presbyopia-correcting Deluxe IOL is the degree of dependence on eyeglasses thereafter; it's probably less with the Deluxe IOL.

Most people regain good distance vision with these Deluxe IOLs (somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40) which is very functional vision, but not necessarily perfect vision. Glasses may be required to fine tune the vision for patients to get their very best vision. The goal of the Deluxe IOLs is to provide a wider range of useful vision without glasses, thus increasing freedom from spectacles. The goal for deluxe implant patients should be functional vision (20/40 or better) which is legal driving vision and reasonably good reading vision but not necessarily as sharp as 20/20 distance and near that some can expect when wearing their glasses. Results will vary with deluxe implants, but most patients will enjoy a greater freedom from glasses with the wider range of vision provided by the Deluxe IOLs.