Multifocal IOLs

Premium Lens Implant Options
Understanding Multifocal IOL

If you are seeking cataract surgery in Pennsylvania, now is a great time to be eliminating your cataracts and learning about your new options.  Many patients that have had these lens implants will tell you that they have not seen vibrancy like this since they were a teenager. When considering your cataract surgeon be sure to carefully evaluate your surgeon and his choice of modern technology.

Prior to undergoing the cataract procedure you will be given several choices for lens implant options. Dr. Chesen will make a lens suggestion based on your specific visual needs. Each of the premium lens implant options have unique attributes that may or may not be beneficial. The Multifocal IOL lens implants are also commonly called premium lens implants and are typically used in cataract surgery. If you have astigmatism before cataract surgery you might also choose to have this corrected with an IOL. See our page on understanding astigmatism.

AcrySof® ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens (IOL)

ReSTOR Lens is a premium artificial lens that can restore a full range of vision without complete dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The FDA clinical studies identified that 80% of patients receiving the ReSTOR Lens no longer required glasses for any activity. This is a truly revolutionary lens that is a good option for patients that do not like the concept of monovision and would like to have a chance of eliminating glasses.

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL) work?

Various activities require different types of focusing. Your eyes are constantly changing focus on objects based on distance and proximity. The ability of the eye to actually change focusing is called accommodation. As people get older the ability to accommodate changes and the ability to read becomes impaired. The end result is that patients require reading glasses and in some cases bifocals. The ReSTOR® IOL was specifically designed to correct this exact issue. The lens actually provides both good near vision and good distance vision. By utilizing the apodized diffractive the lens is capable of providing multifocal vision. 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 vision.
Source: Alcon Technologies Inc.

During U.S. clinical trials, the results with ReSTOR were remarkable:

• 80% of patients reported that after lens implant surgery with ReSTOR lenses, they no longer needed glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at all distances.
• 94% said they could drive and read the paper without contacts or glasses.
• Nearly 94% were so satisfied that they would have the procedure again.

The Eyeonics Crystalens™

This new lens has made its impact as one of the top three inserted premium intraocular lenses but is called an accommodative lens not a multifocal lens like the ReSTOR® IOL. Crystalens™ is a single focus lens, which works with your eyes own muscles to accommodate in order for patients to enjoy vision as they did as youngsters. Crystalens™ has the ability to “accommodate,” or change shape, allowing it to focus on both distant and near objects. The patented hinged design element enables the lens to actually move and accommodate to focus near, far and intermediate objects. If you are considering refractive lens exchange this lens might allow you to eliminate or reduce glasses from your lifestyle. Imagine being able to drive a golf ball and see it in the distance or imagine being able to just read the newspaper or see the alarm clock at night. This lens has the capability to deliver excellent vision at all ranges.

If you would like to know more about the Crystalens™ or refractive lens exchange surgery please feel free to fill out one of our contact forms and one of our staff will contact you. Our practice will thoroughly diagnose your vision and then educate you on all available premium lens options prior to making a decision about surgery.

The Crystalens FDA data presented

• 98.4% of the patients could read NYSE, Wall Street Journal, Newspaper
• 100% of the patients could read their Email or computer screens.
• 98.4% were 20/40 or better in the distance (most were 20/20 or 20/30)

Tecnis Multifocal IOL

The Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL is a premium intraocular lens that is specifically designed to offer both distance and near vision.  This lens is typically implanted at the time of cataract removal.  It is also sometimes used during an elective refractive lens exchange procedure.  The goal in choosing the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL is to achieve less dependence on glasses or contact lenses.  

The Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL brings objects at varying distances into focus using a technology called diffraction.  A series of rings on the entire inner surface of the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL focuses the light from objects in our vision at varying distances.  This allows for a smooth transition of focus between distant, intermediate and near targets.

If you are interested in vision correction surgery but have been told you are not an ideal patient for LASIK, the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL might be a good option for you. Individuals over the age of 50 are typically the best candidates for refractive lens exchange with the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL. If you have both distance and reading issues or you require bifocals, this might be a better complete vision solution than the much-respected laser vision correction procedure.



The clinical studies supporting the FDA approval of the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL indicate that:

• After surgery nearly 9 out of 10 patients did not require glasses for any activity.  93.8% of bilaterally implanted patients stated that they functioned comfortably without glasses at all distances—near, intermediate, and far—at 1 year.  88% of bilaterally implanted patients reported never wearing glasses.
• Most patients achieved excellent image quality at all distances, under any lighting condition.
• Over 94% of study patients would choose TECNIS Multifocal IOL again.

If you would like to know more about the Tecnis® Multi-Focal IOL we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a consultation.