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ReSTOR Animation
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As we get older the clear lens of our eye becomes cloudy and our vision decreases. This cloudy lens is what we call a cataract. If the decrease in vision is significant enough to limit our activities of daily living, the cataract an be surgically removed. Therefore with cataract surgery, the lens of the eye is removed.
After the cataract is removed, a new artificial lens is implanted at the time of surgery to help the eye focus light. This implant is called an intraocular lens, or IOL. Standard intraocular lenses focus at one distance, thus they are called monofocal lenses.
Typically, the patient's focus is aimed for the distance and reading glasses are needed for near work. Most patients that have standard monofocal intraocular lenses still need glasses (90% need reading glasses at least some of the time).
The new RESTOR intraocular lens has technology that enables both distance and near vision after cataract surgery. This new lens design is based on complex apodized
refraction technology. AcrySof® ReSTOR® has been uniquely designed to improves vision at all distances – up close, far away and everything in-between – giving cataract patients their best chance ever to live free of glasses.
The FDA trials of the ReSTOR lens show that 4 out of 5 patients with the ReSTOR IOL reported NEVER wearing glasses following cataract surgery in both eyes, compared to only one out of ten patients with monofocal lenses. No other intraocular lens has ever show this much freedom from glasses in a clinical trial. Indeed, 94% of the study patients were so satisfied with the ReSTOR IOL that they would have it implanted again.
In the past, life without reading glasses or bifocals was not an option for most cataract patients. Now patients have the option of choosing the RESTOR intaocular lens which has the unique technology providing you with quality vision throughout the entire visual spectrum – near through distance – with increased independence from reading glasses or bifocals!
Apodization is the gradual tapering of the diffractive steps from the center to the outside edge of a lens to create a smooth transition of light between the distance,
intermediate and near focal points. Diffraction involves the bending or spreading of light to multiple focal points as it passes through the lens. On the AcrySof®
ReSTOR® IOL, the center of the lens surface consists of an apodized diffractive optic. This means that the series of tiny steps in that center area work together to focus
light for near.
AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted again.
Patients now have an option for this new technology! Medicare and private insurance companies do not consider the extra expense of the Acrysoft RESTOR lens to a
covered service. This new technology falls under the catagory of refractive surgery thus 
the patient is responsible for the extra costs associated with implanting the
RESTOR lens. For example, the Medicare patient is credited the $150 Medicare allows for a standard IOL and then the patient pays for the additional costs of the
ReSTOR lens and additional costs for its implantaion.
No one can guaruntee good vision after surgery. In addition to the risks of cataract surgery, some risks specifically related to the ReSTOR implant incude the following:
glare, halos and night vision difficulties ( can be considered severe in 5% of patients)
no guarantee of freedom from specticals
surgeon cannot predict exact near point distance for best near vision
surgeon may choose to place regular monofocal IOL at the time of surgery if he has concern the IOL may not center well in the eye
The vision with the RESTOR lens is often best if the ReSTOR lens is placed in both eyes. Not all patients are good candidates for a RESTOR lens. Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye disorders may prevent a recommendation for this high technology IOL. Your eye surgeon can help you decide if the ReSTOR lens is right for you.
The ReSTOR lens is now available for patients at Ohio Valley Eye Physicians. They perform cataract surgery at the Physicians Outpatient Surgery Center in Belpre, Ohio. If you or someone you know hava cataracts, call our doctors for a consultation: 1-800-758-3937.
