Call to find out if you are a Candidate for a revolutionary new type of lens. This new lens will not only correct your cataract but offer you near, distance, and intermediate
vision. This new technology offers you the greatest chance of eliminating you dependence on glasses. Restor provides a full range of vision resulting in an increased freedom from glasses. 80% of patients in the clinical trials never needed to wear their glasses again 94% of patients in the FDA clinical trials would elect to have the surgery again. The unique design of the ReSTOR lens spreads light to near, intermediate, and distant images at the same time- similar to your natural lens. This allows for a full range of
vision with minimal visual disturbances. A number of our patients can see well enough to do away with their reading glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses. ReSTOR is a unique technological innovation that can provide excellent quality vision. The unique design offers patients a full range of vision.
Q. What is ReSTOR?
A. ReSTOR is a unique intraocular lens that allows for near, intermediate, and distance vision. This allows a full range of vision, similar to the natural lens. Because of this unique design for 80% of patients NEVER need to wear glasses their again!
Q. What is unique about ReSTOR over others out there?
A. It provides the highest percentage of spectacle freedom. In clinical trials 80% NEVER wore their glasses again vs. 41% with previous technologies. The ReSTOR lens is designed with a unique technology which minimizes visual disturbances- especially nighttime driving conditions.
Q. What is apodization? Most will NEVER ask this question, but it is in the brochure, so just in case.
A. Apodization
has been used in microscopes and telescopes for years to improve image quality. As it relates to lenses used in cataract surgery, visual disturbances may occur in some patients regardless of lens design or
manufacturer. The ReSTOR lens has been designed with a unique technology called apodization or blending of optics which increase the utilization of incoming light in an effort to minimize visual disturbances-
especially nighttime driving conditions. This design allows multiple images from near, distance, and intermediate to be sent to the brain at the same time similar to your natural lens- thus allowing a full range of
vision.
Can I have that in English please (less technical) - Apodization is unique technology used only in the new ReSTOR lens. This patented design works very similar to your natural lens. This
technological advancement allows for good near, distance, and intermediate vision. This lens will offer you the greatest chance at eliminating your dependence on glasses.
Q. Can my vision be corrected 20/20 for both reading and distance?
A. The ReSTOR lens has a new unique designed optic. This design allows multiple images from near, distance, and intermediate to be sent to the brain at the same time. This allows for a full range of vision similar to a natural lens. You doctor will discuss with you in further detail what your expectations for the surgery.
Q. Will I be able to read in all lighted conditions?
A. Yes, the ReSTOR lens works similarly to your
natural lens in the way it blends and spreads light. Unlike lenses of the past, lighting conditions have very little impact on patients with the ReSTOR lens. Patients have reported very minimal disturbances.
Q. How do I know if I am a good candidate?
A. Our doctor will perform a thorough exam and advise if the ReSTOR lens is right for you. Virtually everyone in good general and ocular health is a candidate. Note-People
with chronic infections, uncontrolled diabetes, or other health problems may have to wait until these conditions are under control prior to surgery. People with previous refractive or cataract surgeries are
generally not good candidates.
Q. Should I have the procedure in both eyes?
A. Typically cataracts will develop in both eyes and we recommend that the surgery be done in both eyes at the same time.
Q. How long will the surgery take? Will I feel anything?
A. It is typically an out patient surgery. You will arrive at the center an hour before. The actual surgery is about 20 minutes. A number of topical drops will be placed in your eye and oral medications may be administered to help you relax. The eye drops anesthetize your eye. If more detail is needed. Once in the surgery suite, you will lie down on a comfortable bed, a microscope will be positioned over your eye and you will be asked to look up into the light. During the actual surgery, the surgeon will stabilize your eye with a device to keep your eyelids open. You will feel no pain, only slight pressure on your eye. All you have to do is relax and hold still. Once the surgery is complete, additional drops will be placed in your eye to prevent infections. A patch will be placed over your eye to prevent you from rubbing and someone will need to drive you home
. The doctor will need to see you the next day for a brief follow up appointment. Your surgeon will prescribe additional medications that you will need to put in your eye for a week or two. These drugs help
the eye heal and have no residual effects.
Q. Will I have to wear glasses after surgery? What are my chances of perfect vision?
A. To answer your question, 80% of patients in the clinical trials never wear reading glasses or bifocals after surgery with the ReSTOR lens. 94% of patients have stated that they would have it done again. Our highly trained surgeons are using the best technology combined with their extensive experience to give you the best possible results.
Q. When will I be able to return to my normal activities?
A. Typically you will be able to return to normal activities within several days. You should be able to drive and return to work within 2-3 days. Your eyes may be sensitive to the touch for a few days and you should avoid strenuous activity and rubbing your eye. It is important to avoid lifting or straining that would increase pressure on your eye. You will need to wear protective eyewear while you sleep. You can shower but avoid getting soap in your eyes. Refrain from eye makeup for several weeks. You should also avoid public pools, hot tubs.
Q. What about dry eyes?
A. Implant surgery typically will have very little influence on dry eyes.
Q. What about halos and glare?
A. Visual disturbances may occur in some patients regardless of lens design.
The ReSTOR IOL has been designed with a unique technology called apodization or a blending/feathering of the optics, which increases the utilization incoming light to minimize nighttime visual disturbances
especially in driving conditions.
Q. Will insurance/Medicare cover any of the procedure?
A. Insurance coverage varies greatly from policy to policy. Generally speaking private insurance and Medicare will cover the cataract surgical procedure and may also allow a certain additional amount for the artificial lens implant. Please bring your insurance information to your consultation so we can see what your specific policy covers or we can see what your specific plan offers for coverage on the procedure.
Q. How much do you charge for ReSTOR surgery?
A. We are pleased to find that insurance often covers a large portion of the procedure for cataract patients. We try to keep our pricing affordable for everyone by offering monthly payment plans. We suggest you come in for an evaluation so we can give you a thorough eye exam to determine if you are a candidate and what your insurance might cover.
Q. Why is this ReSTOR lens so much more expensive than a regular cataract lens?
A. The ReSTOR lens that Dr. Kohn recommends is a new type of lens that is doing much more than replacing your natural cataract lens with an artificial one. This is all that a traditional or monofocal lens could do for you. These previous technologies did not provide a full range of vision. The ReSTOR lens provides good intermediate, distance, and near vision and offers you the greatest chance of eliminating your dependence on glasses. In clinical trials 80% of patients reported that they NEVER needed to wear their glasses vs. less than 10 % of traditional monofocal
Q. What about my middle vision, like working on the computer?
A. In ReSTOR clinical trials patients reported good intermediate vision, about 20/40 the number needed to pass a DMV test. Some patients that did spend an extended amount of hours on their computer did need to wear their glasses for short periods of time.
Q. How often will I need to have my eyes checked after surgery?
A. Your doctor will advise you based on your procedure. Typically, the doctor will see you one day after surgery, after 2 to 4 weeks and again around 3-6 months after surgery. Thereafter, an annual exam is sufficient.
Q. Will I have to have a cataract surgery again?
A. Once your cataracts are removed and replaced with an
artificial lens, you will never need to have cataract surgery again. Occasionally, several months after the lens has been placed in the eye, your vision may start to become cloudy again.
This can happen with any type of cataract surgery with any type of lens. This is sometimes called a secondary cataract and refers to the clouding of the membrane that surrounds the implant. Your surgeon will go in and quickly remove the clouded cells. A laser is used to make an opening in the membrane behind the implant, immediately improving vision. This is done painlessly without an anesthetic and takes just a few minutes. Once this is done no further surgery related to your cataracts will be required.
Q. Is there anything different during the procedure with a ReSTOR lens than a regular cataract?
A. No, there is no difference in the time or the technique of the procedure itself. Only the new patented design that allows for good distance, intermediate, and near vision is new.
General Information on the surgery
- You will feel no pain, only minimal discomfort and pressure on the eye
- Drops will be placed in your eyes to anesthetize them.
- The surgeon will keep a speculum in the eye to keep the eyelids open
A tiny incision is made in the eye about the size of a pen tip. The old lens is removed and the new one is folded and replaced through the same small incision. Once the surgery is complete, additional drops will be placed in your eye to prevent infection. The doctor will need to see you 1 day post op. Again between 2-4 weeks later. Finally at 6 months after surgery Your surgeon will perform surgery one eye at a time. The second eye will usually be done about 2 weeks later. - You should avoid any strenuous activities for several days.
- Avoid rubbing the eye for several days
- Refrain from eye makeup, liner, and mascara for several days
- Protective eyewear should be worn while outdoors for several days.
- Can shower, but avoid getting water in your eyes.
- Avoid public pools and hot tubs for several weeks to prevent bacterial infection
Who might not be a good candidate?
- Previous refractive patients
- Individuals who have already had cataract or CLE surgery
- Poor ocular health- glaucoma, diabetes
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