intraocular lenses (iol)
An intraocular lens is an artificial lens made of plastic, silicone, acrylic, or other material that is implanted inside the eye during cataract surgery. The implant is placed in or near the original position of the removed natural lens and vision can be restored without affecting peripheral vision, depth perception, or image size. Artificial lenses are intended to remain permanently in place, they require no maintenance or handling, and are neither felt by the patient nor visible to others.
AcrySof® ReSTOR®- A breakthrough in vision surgery
Now there's a revolutionary new way to potentially leave your glasses behind – introducing the AcrySof ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL), a breakthrough in vision surgery. AcrySof ReSTOR has been uniquely designed to improve vision at all distances – up close, far away and everything in-between – giving cataract patients their best chance ever to live free of glasses.
Until recently, life without reading glasses or bifocals was not an option for most cataracts patients. You now have an option. The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is a unique technological innovation that can provide you with quality vision throughout the entire visual spectrum – near through distance – with increased independence from reading glasses or bifocals!
How does the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL 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 by combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and 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.
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 through distance vision.
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.
Only your eye care provider can determine if AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is right for you. To schedule an eye exam at any of our Crown Vision Center locations, call 1-800 EYECARE or click here.