Those who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK or who desire treatment for presbyopia (the loss of reading vision often associated with age) now have more treatment options than ever before. Lens implant vision correction can take two broad forms:
Refractive lens exchange - a procedure which involves removal of the natural lens of the eye, then replacement with an artificial lens implant.
Implantable contact lens surgery (VerisyseT) - a procedure which involves insertion of an artificial lens in a position in front of your natural lens in addition to your own lens which is left intact. If you have a very high nearsighted correction, VerisyseT may be for you.
Specific Advantages of Refractive Lens Exchange
• Correction for most ranges of farsightedness
• Predictable outcome
• Fast visual stabilization
• Minimal side effects
• Can be combined with laser or incision corrective options to
correct astigmatism
• IOL implants prevent cataracts from forming later in life
• Long history of successful outcomes
How Refractive Lens Exchange Works
Unlike laser corrective surgeries which alter the shape of the cornea, a refractive lens exchange changes the focusing power of the lens within the eye. For this procedure, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced by a manufactured lens implant which has been selected to provide clear focusing ability. The lens implant remains within the eye, without needing any further care after surgery.
A refractive lens exchange is not generally recommended for people under 45, unless the diagnosis and careful testing reveals it to be the best option. People under 45 still have significant flexibility in their natural lens which allows them to vary their focus naturally. This ability is lost in a lens exchange procedure. Since people over 50-55 have already lost much of the flexibility in their natural lens, a refractive lens exchange will not cause much further loss of natural focusing flexibility.
About The Refractive Lens Exchange Procedure
The procedure for implantation of all lenses is similar to traditional small-incision cataract surgery. It is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Usually, one eye is treated at a time.
• When you arrive for surgery, you will be given eye drops and perhaps a very mild sedative to help make you comfortable,
• A local anesthetic is given to numb the eye, so the procedure is virtually painless.
• You are prepared for sterile surgery.
• Under an operating microscope, a small incision is made in the eye. Tiny surgical instruments are used to remove the natural lens from the eye.
• Then, a high quality lens implant of appropriate power is inserted and positioned securely within the natural lens capsule.
• The incision is designed to be self-sealing, so sutures are rarely necessary.
Technological advancements have made a variety of lens replacement options available. Dr. Lipsky recommends the following lenses:
ReSTOR®
The ReSTOR® lens uses revolutionary apodized diffractive technology - a series of concentric circular rings which cause light to focus correctly on the retina and allows you to see at distance and near. Clinical studies have shown that 80% of patients did not have to use glasses for any activity after surgery, while only 23% of the control group who received conventional IOLs achieved the same levels of visual acuity.
ReZoom™
The ReZoom™ lens uses Balanced View Optics™ to distribute light over five optical zones. These zones focus light on the retina to provide better vision at distance, intermediate and near. In clinical testing, approximately 92% of patients reported either never or only occasionally wearing glasses for distance, intermediate, and/or near vision tasks.
Comparison Chart of Presbyopia-Correcting Lens Implants
| Intraocular Lense (IOL) Type |
Standard Monofocal |
ReZoom™ |
ReSTOR® |
Toric Lens |
| Method of Presbyopia Correction |
None |
Multifocal IOL |
Apodized Diffractive |
None |
| Zones of best vision* without glasses provided by each lens implant (IOL) |
Far OR Near (not both). |
Far and Mid-range |
Far and Near |
Far OR Near (not both). |
| Success rate of patients achieving spectacle independence with lenses in both eyes |
5-10% |
92% never or only occasionally need to wear glasses after the procedure |
80% of patients "never" need to wear glasses |
5-10% |
| Rate of night time severe glare and halo effect |
2% |
5% |
5% |
2% |
| Usable for eyes with previous Radial Keratotomy (RK) |
Yes |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
Yes |
| Usable for eyes with previous Laser Vision Correction |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
* 3 Zones of Vision
1. Far (driving, golf)
2. Mid-Range (computer, deskwork, watching TV)
3. Near (reading documents up- close, cell phone, sewing). |
Our office offers free evaluations for this procedure and our staff will discuss refractive options with you.
Our pricing is all inclusive and includes pre operative and post operative care, all facility fees, and surgeon fees.
Ask about our cash discount.
Please call our office at (281) 464-9616 to schedule your appointment today.
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