Treatment – Cataracts are not treated unless a patient's vision warrants treatment. When a patient's vision is bothersome or interferes with daily activities, the patient and their doctor can then determine if cataract surgery is appropriate. Once a patient understands the benefits and risks of surgery, they can make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for them. In most cases, delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to the eye, however, it can increase the difficulty of the surgery. Regularly scheduled eye exams are very important to monitor the progression of vision loss due to cataract growth.

Cataract Surgery - Surgery involves removing the patients cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. A small incision is made on the side of the cornea. The surgeon then inserts a tiny probe into the eye that emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens, it is then removed by suction. The artificial lens is then placed in the exact position in which the natural lens was removed.

There are now numerous options in choosing the artificial lens to be placed in the eye. A patient, along with their doctor’s assistance and recommendation, can choose to correct their vision at distance, intermediate, near or a combination of the three. In some cases, the surgeon can also correct for astigmatism.

ReStor Intraocular Lens–

The AcrySof ReSTOR Apodized Diffractive Intraocular Lens is the most recent innovation in lens implant technology. The ReSTOR lens is implanted in the eye as a lens replacement at the time of cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. The best candidate is the individual who is 45 or older and who is dependent on glasses and/or contacts to see near, far and in-between.

The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL replaces the natural lens and is implanted into the eye in a procedure identical to cataract surgery. It has a patented apodized diffractive optic design that works like a bifocal lens inside the eye. For long-distance vision, the ReSTOR lens creates a clear image of the far away object while a second, highly defocused image is created for near vision that is typically not perceived. For near vision, the ReSTOR lens creates a clear, sharply focused near image and a second highly defocused far away image that is typically not perceived. This apodized diffractive optic design gives it the ability to provide clear vision near, far and in-between without mechanical movement of the lens.

The ReSTOR lens is similar to two lenses in one. This gives ReSTOR more consistent results and more satisfied patients who can enjoy activities like reading, sewing, playing cards or looking at the fine print, all without the hassle of reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses or contact lenses.

The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is used in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses following cataract or refractive lens replacement surgery.

Anyone who has a normal eye exam and is dependent on reading glasses or bifocals may be a candidate. Although ReSTOR lenses are a breakthrough technology initially approved for cataract patients with or without presbyopia, it is not necessary to need cataract surgery to qualify for the ReSTOR lens. This lens is also available for people who desire lens replacement surgery to correct their vision but who do not have a cataract. In this case, the procedure (as with vision correction technique such as LASIK) is not covered by insurance.

Everyone’s focusing ability is different. Most people will be able to see clearly in the distance, have very good reading vision and functional intermediate vision without glasses, but some people may be more comfortable with additional correction, particularly at night in dim light or for long periods of computer work. After surgery with the ReSTOR lens, it may be necessary for some people to wear glasses for distance, intermediate and/or near vision to obtain optimal visual acuity. The difference from standard lenses is that most people will not be as dependent on these supplemental aids to function normally.

Toric Intraocular Lens - Surgery to treat cataracts is an outpatient procedure where an eye surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. Traditionally, the surgeon implants a monofocal artificial lens, commonly called an “intraocular lens” (IOL). If you have astigmatism, however, you may still experience blurred and distorted vision because a standard IOL cannot correct corneal astigmatism. To achieve quality distance vision with a standard IOL, you may still require eyeglasses, contact lenses, or further surgery.

If having less dependency on eyeglasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. The unique design of the AcrySof® Toric lens provides significantly improved distance or monovision and may reduce the need for corrective lenses.

What would it be like to say goodbye to both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time?  Imagine being able to see at a distance without relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses and finally being able to enjoy uncorrected quality distance vision.

You are reading this website with the only two eyes you will ever have. For that reason, vision correction decisions are among the most important you will ever make. Now, revolutionary new technology makes it possible for the surgeon to perform a single outpatient procedure in which the clouded cataract lens is exchanged for an artificial lens designed to correct astigmatism as well. You may be able to break free from eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision in just one step, without the need for additional surgical procedures.
 
What is Astigmatism?
Sometimes, the surface of the cornea is curved more like a football, with both flatter and steeper curves. When the surface of the cornea has an uneven curvature, vision becomes distorted. This common irregularity, called a “corneal astigmatism,” causes blurred or distorted vision because light rays are not focused at one spot to provide clear vision.

A person who has both a cataract and a corneal astigmatism will not regain high-quality distance vision after surgery to remove the cataract unless the astigmatism is also corrected.  The technology behind the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL offers cataract patients with preexisting astigmatism vision correction that reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and delivers significantly improved distance or monovision without the need for glasses or contacts. You'll also be able to enjoy improved image quality thanks to the lens' new aspheric design.