ReSTOR Intraocular Lens Implant

Finally, the opportunity for freedom from reading glasses and bifocals.

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens work?

As we perform daily activities such as reading, watching television or working at the computer, our eyes are constantly focusing on objects at varying distances – up close, far away and everything in-between.  The ability to quickly change focus throughout this range of vision is called accommodation.

Unfortunately, this ability diminishes as we grow older, causing us to become dependent on bifocals or reading glasses. However, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL was designed to provide quality near to distance vision using refractive technologies.  Similar technology has been used for years in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality, and has now been patented for use in intraocular lenses by Alcon.

Apodized Diffractive
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 through the eye.

Refractive
Refraction involves the redirection of light passing through the lens, to focus on the retina. The refractive region of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL bends light as it passes through the lens to a focal point on the retina.  This outer ring of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL surrounds the apodized diffractive region and is dedicated to focusing light for distance vision.

How You’ll See
Vision for your everyday life

Wide range of vision
For most patients, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers good vision for both distance and reading activities without reading glasses or bifocals.  In fact, with this increase in vision quality, many AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam.

The ability to read quickly and easily
In an independently conducted study, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients were tested to see how easily they could read paragraphs of decreasing font size, and their results were compared to patients with other intraocular lenses. While only one of 13 patients with standard intraocular lenses could read small type (such as the newspaper), four of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® patients were still able to read small type quickly and easily.¹

Better vision for various lighting situations
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers quality vision for various lighting situations.  In brightly lit conditions, the central apodized diffractive portion of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL sends light waves simultaneously to both near and distant focal points, while, in dimly lit conditions, the surrounding refractive area sends greater energy to distance vision.

Important facts to remember

All patients will see their very best with glasses at both distance and near. The ReSTOR® IOL simply improves your odds of functioning well without glasses.

Although 4 out 5 patients reported never wearing glasses after surgery in both eyes, 1 out of 5 patients still needed glasses after surgery.

The results are not instantaneous. Much of the healing takes place in the first 1-7 days after surgery.Your vision will continue to improve for several weeks following surgery. Your eyes may go though a subtle adjustment period as they get used to their new vision.

Both eyes need to have the ReSTOR IOL for the best outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions about the new AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL.  Contact your eye doctor for more information about how this breakthrough lens can unlock your lifestyle.

• How is the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL different from monofocal lenses?
• What is the difference in cost between a traditional monofocal lens and the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
  

How is the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL different from monofocal lenses?
Monofocal intraocular lenses focus at only one distance, meaning that you will likely need glasses following surgery either for distance or near, and sometimes for both. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL differs from regular monofocal IOLs in that it focuses at distance and near, decreasing your dependency on glasses at all distances.

What is the difference in cost between a traditional monofocal lens and the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
Insurance policies vary, but Medicare, supplemental insurance, and private insurance will typically still cover the basic cataract surgery procedure with a conventional IOL. However, if you decide to have an AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted, there may be an additional cost that is not covered by insurance or Medicare.  You can elect to pay the difference for the added benefits of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. You should ask someone at your doctor's office, or your primary insurance provider, to explain your policy coverage.