To experience all life has to offer you want to see it all — from the big, expansive picture down to the smallest details.
However, if you suffer from cataracts, you may not see as clearly as you used to and life could be looking pretty cloudy. But even if you have cataract surgery with a traditional replacement lens you may not be able to see things clearly both near and far. And when your sight is compromised your life is compromised.
Fortunately, there's a very effective solution to cataracts and presbyopia.
The good news is that the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL) is a landmark vision care technology that may restore a full range of vision — near through distance — for people who have cataracts and presbyopia.
The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens combines the safety and successful outcomes of traditional cataract surgery with new technology. It lets cataract patients see the whole picture clearly, usually without glasses or bifocals. The results can be life changing.
Until recently, life without reading glasses or bifocals was not an option for most cataract patients. You now have an option. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens 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® IQ 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® IQ 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.
With the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, many patients can read, drive and do other tasks without glasses. In fact, during the clinical study, 80% of AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL patients reported that they "never" wore glasses following bilateral cataract surgery, compared to only 8% of patients with monofocal lenses. Ask your doctor if the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is right for you.
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens has proven long-term clinical results and is made of a patented material developed specifically for the eye. TheAcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens comes from Alcon, the world leader in lenses for cataract surgery. It's made of the same material as Alcon's market-leading family of AcrySof® intraocular lenses, of which more than 25 million have been implanted worldwide.
Cataract surgery remains the most frequently performed surgery in the U.S. and is one of the safest as well. So, the surgery itself remains the same — only the lens technology has improved.
So What's Different About The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL?
Previous intraocular lens technology provided only one focal point — distance — leaving patients dependent upon reading glasses or bifocals. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens design results in highly predictable visual outcomes so you can now read the words on prescription bottles, magazines, newspapers and computer screens, without reading glasses or bifocals, while still clearly seeing objects at a distance. It has the ability to consistently offer improved vision at a range of distances: near through distance.
As we grow older our eyes' ability to quickly change focus from near to far diminishes, causing us to become dependent on bifocals or reading glasses. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens uses patented apodized diffractive technology similar to that used in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality.
Results from the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL clinical study show that:
- Four out of five patients NEVER needed reading glasses or bifocals following cataract surgery on both eyes.
- Nearly 94% of patients in the clinical study were so satisfied with their vision they would have the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens implanted again, if given the choice.
- 84% of patients demonstrated uncorrected vision without glasses of 20/25 or better for distance. (This is significant, since in most states 20/40 vision is required to pass the vision test for a driver's license without glasses or contact lenses.)
- 84.3% of patients with the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens in both eyes achieved distance visual acuity of 20/25 or better in both eyes following surgery and near vision acuity of 20/32 without reading glasses or bifocals.
The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens delivers the potential for freedom from reading glasses or bifocals for cataract patients to improve vision for everyday life.
How Does The Performance of The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL Compare With Conventional Monofocal Lenses?
As stated above, four out of five AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® patients found that they no longer needed their glasses after having the lens implanted in both eyes, compared with only 8% of patients with monofocal lenses.
Other advantages include:
- Full range of vision. With this increase in vision quality, AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam in most states.
- The ability to read small type quickly and easily. While only one of 13 patients with the other IOL could read small type, four of five AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® patients were still able to read small type.
- Better vision in all lighting situations. Whether in brightly or dimly lit conditions the apodized diffractive optics of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens minimizes the occurrence and severity of visual disturbances compared with other multifocal technology.
As with any surgical procedure there are associated risks and benefits. While there may be a decrease in the need for glasses some patients may notice rings around lights at night. These side effects may make it more difficult to drive at night or perform tasks in low light conditions. While virtually everyone experiences an improvement in vision after cataract surgery, some people will have better uncorrected vision than others. Therefore, it is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with one of our doctors, who will let you know if the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens is right for you.
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If you would like more information on the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL please visit: www.acrysofrestor.com