|
AcrySof ReSTOR FAQs:
Does the procedure hurt?
We will give you numbing drops and medications to help you relax, this procedure involves minimal discomfort.
Will I be asleep during the ReSTOR Lens procedure?
Since this procedure does not take very long, it is unnecessary to put you completely asleep with general anesthesia. Anesthesia: Medication that eliminates or reduces pain for surgical procedures. Local or regional anesthesia numbs only a certain area. Instead, Dr. Benjamin will use a local/topical anesthetic to numb your eye and you will remain awake during the surgery.
Who performs the procedure, a surgeon or a technician?
Dr. Benjamin will perform the procedure. There will be a technician and nurse in the room to assist them.
I have cataracts in both eyes. Will Dr. Benajmin treat both at the same time?
Typically, ReSTOR Lens cataract surgery is done one eye at a time. Surgery is done in the second eye two or three weeks after the first eye. All patients are different, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
Can I be implanted with a multifocal lens in one eye only?
Yes you can, as long as your other eye has a clear natural lens or an early cataract. If your other eye already has an implant, you are not a good candidate for a multifocal lens implant.
Will I need multifocal lenses in both eyes?
A multifocal lens should be implanted in both eyes ultimately.
Why do you recommend the Alcon ReSTOR multifocal lens?
Dr. Benjamin has direct experience with the Alcon ReSTOR lens. He feels that it is well designed to provide simultaneous distance and near vision while minimizing unwanted side effects such as glare and halos around lights.
Are there any alternatives?
The primary alternative to multifocal lens implantation is monofocal lens implantation. If you request a monofocal lens, you will have to decide whether you want distance vision or near vision after surgery. You cannot have both with a monofocal lens. There are other multifocal lenses on the market. At this time he is most satisfied with the overall design and clinical results of the ReSTOR lens.
Is a multifocal lens similar to the natural lens of the eye?
No. The natural lens of a young person changes shape to produce a change in focus. As a person ages, the natural lens becomes more rigid and functions more like a monofocal lens. Lens implants do not change shape. A multifocal lens compensates for the eye's inability to change shape by allowing the eye to see at distance and near simultaneously through the same optic.
Will I need glasses after ReSTOR Lens surgery?
If you opt to receive a monofocal lens you will definitely need glasses after surgery. If you receive a multifocal lens there is a good chance you won't need glasses. 80% of patients implanted with the ReSTOR lens in the FDA clinical trial did not need glasses after surgery for distance or near vision. Of course, not every patient in the trial was spectacle independent. The odds of becoming free of spectacles are better if your corneal astigmatism is low and your eyes are healthy.
How long will I be in the hospital?
You will spend only a few hours at the hospital or surgery center, and are allowed to go home the very same day of your ReSTOR Lens cataract surgery.
Why doesn't insurance (or Medicare) pay for a multifocal lens?
These entities pay for surgery and devices that restore functional vision. They will not pay for services that reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. While Medicare and insurance will cover the cost of a standard lens implant, they will not pay for the "portion" of a deluxe implant that imparts multifocality.
Every patient and every eye is different, but commonly you will see well enough to drive the day after surgery. Ask Dr.Benjamin how quickly he or she expects you to recover.
How long until I can return to normal activities?
You will be able to resume normal basic activities like reading and watching TV by the next day, and return to work within two to seven days. Dr. Benjamin typically recommends against any strenuous activity for two or more weeks. However, results vary for different patients, so you should ask Dr.Benjamin what is best for you.
After surgery, will I be able to drive at night?
Your ability to drive at night should be much enhanced once your cataract is removed. Patients with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL may notice a ring of light around headlights and other point-light sources. These are typically mild, rarely bothersome, and will diminish with time.
Will I need glasses after ReSTOR Lens cataract surgery?
In the clinical trials, four out of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients reported NEVER wearing glasses for distance, intermediate or near tasks after their surgery.
Can my cataract come back?
No, once a cataract has been removed it cannot return. However, over time, patients may complain that their vision has once again become cloudy. This sometimes-common condition, which may occur with any type of IOL, is known as a secondary cataract or "PCO." Secondary cataracts can be easily treated by a simple laser procedure performed in the office.
Are there any side effects? Anything I won't like?
There is a chance that you will experience halos or glare in your vision, but this is uncommon and usually goes away in time. Your intermediate (in-between) vision may not be as crisp as you near and distance vision, but four out of five AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients in the clinical study reported never needing glasses following ReSTOR Lens cataract surgery in both eyes. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Dr. Benjamin will discuss the potential risks and benefits, and determine if the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is right for you.
Can the ReSTOR lens be replaced if it doesn't work?
Although this would be unlikely, the IOL can be replaced with a different one if needed.
Any precautions after surgery?
Every patient is different, so be sure to ask Dr.Benjamin for advice on caring for your eye after the procedure. He may ask you to refrain from rubbing your eye or engaging in any strenuous activity for a few weeks after surgery.
When do I have to decide?
We would like you to decide at the time of your scheduled preoperative visit. We need 7 to 10 days to order the multifocal lens implant.
If I wait, will the cost come down?
The manufacturer of the ReSTOR lens, Alcon Laboratories, has not indicated to us that there will be any future price changes in the lens.
To schedule an appointment for your complimentary ReSTOR consultation, please call 310.275.5533 and we would be happy to help you or click here.
|
