:: Health News ::

New technology from ACRYSOF now allows most patients who have had cataract surgery to see without needing glasses. The ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens that is implanted to replace the eye’s natural lens after cataract surgery.

The biconvex IOL is made of a soft plastic that can be folded before placement which allows insertion through an incision smaller than the diameter of the optic lens. After surgical placement the lens unfolds restoring vision while supporting arms called haptics correctly position the IOL within the eye. The lens is placed in the eye’s posterior chamber allowing the IOL to correct impairment of vision caused by the natural lens’ absence (apakia). A special process called apodized diffraction is utilized to shape the biconvex optic substantially increasing vision at all ranges without the aid of glasses.

ACRYSOF ReSTOR was recently approved by the FDA after clinical studies indicated that 80% of the patients receiving the ReSTOR IOL no longer needed glasses cataract surgery. This surgical implant allows adult patients with or without presbyopia to attain good near, intermediate and distance vision without dependence on glasses after cataract removal. A recent ruling by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now allows beneficiaries to choose IOL’s such as ReSTOR as part of their Medicare covered cataract surgery for an additional fee.