| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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When your natural lens is removed for Refractive Lens Exchange, you lose about 40% of your ability to focus distant images. For decades, artificial lens implants have been used to replace that ability following cataract surgery. The artificial lenses are permanent, cannot be felt inside the eye and require no ongoing maintenance. All lens implants correct distance vision, but only one lens can correct astigmatism as well, and another is the only one that can correct near through distant vision.
Lens implants have evolved in size, design and material aimed at providing better vision with a lower risk of complications. For over a decade, foldable lens implants have been the choice of leading surgeons. All lens implants used at our Centre are based on the Acrysof single piece acrylic design. While lens designs change according to the type of vision error they correct, the basic acrylic lens design has a proven track record, established over more than 15 years among hundreds of thousands of people.
Artificial lenses are supplied in half diopter increments but some people would benefit most if the lens power was at a quarter diopter increment. In these situations, Dr. Demong may recommend Laser Eye Surgery to fine tune vision if the lens alone does not deliver satisfactory results. This also holds true for those who select the ReSTOR lens but have some astigmatism. The astigmatism can be corrected with the laser once vision has stabilized. This combination of treatments is called Bioptics, and is performed several months after the initial lens surgery.
Although these implants were developed initially for those undergoing cataract surgery, they demonstrate even better results in those undergoing Refractive Lens Exchange due to the younger, generally healthier age group involved. Dr. Demong will recommend the best lens for your needs and condition of your eyes, offering you choices when possible.
The IQ is a single prescription lens, calculated according to your distance vision needs. It delivers high quality vision with minimal reports of glare or haloes under both bright and dim lighting conditions. Because its thickness cannot change to adjust for near vision, close vision is compromised. Near vision glasses are required in 95% of people who have these implants. This is a good choice for those who drive a lot at night or who view their work at consistent intermediate or near distances and are comfortable wearing glasses for those circumstances.
The IQ is available in a wide range of both nearsighted and farsighted corrections. The correct strength for you will be selected using the IOL Master diagnostic instrument.
More about the Acrysof IQ: www.cataractsurgery.com/us/professional/acrysofiq/default.asp
The ReSTOR is a multifocal prescription lens with 12 different strengths arranged in a concentric ring formation. It delivers high quality vision over a range of distances from near to far, simulating some of the accommodative benefits of the natural lens. However, the lens thickness cannot change inside the capsular bag and therefore it is not a perfect imitation of the natural lens. It is particularly suitable for people who have begun to experience some compromise in the accommodative function of the natural lens, usually over the age of 45. Near vision glasses are required in 5% of people who have these implants and 15% will wear glasses to work at computer screen distances. This is an excellent choice for those seeking a full range of distance correction, from near to far.
The ReSTOR is available in a wide range of both nearsighted and farsighted corrections, with corresponding near vision corrections. The correct strength for you will be selected using the IOL Master diagnostic instrument.
More about the Acrysof ReSTOR: www.acrysofrestor.com
The newest member of the family is the Toric Lens Implant. While the IQ and ReSTOR do not compensate for astigmatism, the Toric lens is specially designed to correct astigmatism and distance vision. It delivers high quality vision with minimal reports of glare or haloes under both bright and dim lighting conditions. Its thickness cannot change for near vision requirements, however, meaning near vision is compromised. Near vision glasses are required in 95% of people who have these implants. This is an excellent choice for those who have astigmatism in addition to a distance error and who do not object to wearing reading glasses afterward.
The Toric lens is available in a range of nearsighted and farsighted corrections combined with astigmatism correction ranging from -0.75 to over -2.00 diopters.
Dr. Demong is currently involved in the second year of a 3 year study of the Acrysof Phakic Lens Implant. This lens is designed to help those who have high degrees of nearsighted correction and who are not good candidates for Laser Surgery related to compromised corneal thickness. More information will be added to our website when the product receives final approval and is available for commercial use.
The Acrysof Phakic Lens is specially designed to supplement the strength of your natural lens, leaving all accommodative function of the natural lens intact. Because of this, it is particularly suitable for those who are under the age of 45, who have not yet experienced a change in the accommodative function of the natural lens. The lens is placed in front of the iris, reducing the risks associated with elevated eye pressures and cataract development commonly associated with implantable contact lenses placed behind the iris. More information will be added to this section following final approval of the product.