Alcon AcrySof ReSTOR Lens Implants:

Harvard Eye Associates — 30 Years of Lens Implant Experience!

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The AcrySof ReSTOR lens.
Revolutionary Design

Are You Ready for the ReSTOR?

If you are interested in receiving a ReSTOR lens implant, the first step is to call Harvard Eye for an appointment. We will set a date for your qualification examination, during which our ophthalmologist will determine if your eyes are healthy and suitable for surgery. Your exam will include a complete eye history and a thorough examination of both eyes.

For most patients, the ReSTOR IOL delivers excellent near and distance vision, and good intermediate vision without reading glasses or bifocals. In fact, with this increase in vision quality, ReSTOR patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam in most states.

Better vision for various lighting situations

The ReSTOR IOL delivers quality vision for various lighting situations. In brightly lit conditions, the central apodized diffractive portion of the ReSTOR IOL sends light waves simultaneously to both near and distant focal points, while, in dimly lit conditions, the surrounding refractive area sends greater energy to distance vision.

ReSTOR's Refractive Refraction

Refraction involves the redirection of light passing through the lens, to focus on the retina. Refraction is used to correct your vision.

To better understand vision, see: How the eye functions.

The refractive region of the outer ring of the ReSTOR lens bends light as it passes through the lens to a focal point on the retina. This outer ring surrounds the inner apodized diffractive region and is dedicated to focusing light for distance vision.

The ReSTOR lens is like two lenses in one. One refractive lens is for distance vision, and the other one, a diffractive lens, is for both distance and near vision. ReSTOR is not dependent on the movement of the lens. Instead, it has a unique apodized diffractive optic that is new to IOL design. This optical design of the lens distributes light between near vision and distant vision to accommodate vision at a range of distances. While a perfect intraocular lens has yet to be developed, the FDA results for the ReSTOR lens have been better than all previous multifocal implants.

Apodized Diffractive

Apodization is the gradual tapering of the diffractive steps from the center to the outside edge of a lens to create a smooth transition of light between the distance, intermediate and near focal points.

Diffraction involves the bending or spreading of light to multiple focal points as it passes through the lens.

On the ReSTOR IOL, the center of the lens surface (shown in extreme close-up to your right) 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 through distance vision.

For the first time in the history of ophthalmology, the majority of patients who choose the ReSTOR lens can be completely independent of glasses for all daily activities. The ReSTOR lens can reduce or eliminate both far-sightedness and near-sightedness while simultaneously addressing presbyopia in patients having cataract surgery. The ReSTOR lens also can correct presbyopia in a pre-cataract condition with a procedure called "refractive lens exchange", for those who do not yet have cataracts and are highly motivated to be glasses free (note that a RLE procedure would be an off-label use of the ReSTOR lens, which has currently been FDA approved only for use in conjunction with cataract removal).

The ability to read quickly and easily in an independently conducted study, ReSTOR patients were tested to see how easily they could read paragraphs of decreasing font size, and their results were compared to patients with other IOLs. While only one of 13 patients with other IOLs could read small type (such as the newspaper), four of five ReSTOR patients were still able to read small type quickly and easily.

What to Expect:

Prior to surgery, you will undergo an examination to determine your general health, which will assist the surgery staff in preparing for any special needs. You may be prescribed eye drops or other medication to be taken prior to surgery and you may also be asked to obtain medications in advance for your postoperative care.

Before treatment, be sure to tell us about any medication you take or allergies you have. You will receive instructions regarding preparation prior to surgery (e.g. food/drink, transportation, arrival time). In all cases, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to your next appointment. You will not be allowed to drive yourself until you receive permission from our ophthalmologist. If you are a contact lens wearer, you will need to stop wearing your contact lenses during your baseline refraction and on the day of surgery.

The Day of Your ReSTOR Lens Implant Surgery

After you arrive and complete the surgery center check-in, you will be taken to the preoperative area and readied for the surgery. Before the procedure, your eye will be numbed with a topical or local anesthetic, and a mild sedative may be given if necessary. You will be taken to the operating room where your eye will be cleaned and prepared to receive the lens. A drape will be placed over you to keep the area around your eye clean. Our ophthalmologist will place an instrument in your eyelids to assist in stabilizing your eye. This instrument is used to hold the eyelids apart, to give better access to the eyeball.

During the surgical procedure:

ReSTOR eye surgery is a relatively quick and pain-free surgical procedure. Our ophthalmologist will make a tiny incision in your eye and remove your cataract by phacoemulsification. The ophthalmologist will replace your cataract with the ReSTOR through a tiny injector tube. The lens will unfold and the incision sealed.

Immediately After Surgery

A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the immediate postoperative period. You will be transported to a recovery area until you have stabilized and are ready to go home (after approximately one hour). After you have stabilized from the surgery, you will be asked to go home and relax for the rest of the day (no lifting, exercise, or other strenuous activity). You may not drive yourself home, so be sure to arrange for someone to be there when you are ready for release.

Your ophthalmologist may give you eye drops to use when you return home, with instructions on when and how to use the eye drops. After your ReSTOR lens implant procedure, you should only have minor discomfort, if any, but if you experience pain, be sure to let us know.

The Next Day

You will return for an evaluation the day after surgery to determine the results of your surgery. At that time, we will explain further care of your eye and schedule your next follow-up visit. Follow all postoperative instructions given to you. Do not rub your eye as this may cause disruption of the wound or cause corneal edema. Some slight discomfort is normal during the healing process. Contact Harvard Eye immediately if you experience any unexpected pain, discharge, trauma, or anything that appears abnormal.

The First Week Following Surgery

You will return to Harvard Eye the day after your surgery for an examination. The shield will be removed and your eye will be observed under a special microscope to make sure the lens is positioned correctly and that there are no complications. Although there may be some improvement in your vision at this time, keep in mind that the full visual effects of your surgery will take 2-4 weeks to stabilize. Most patients are able to return to work and resume normal non-strenuous activities.

You will be given appointments for additional follow-up visits to monitor your progress. These are of vital importance. Standard postoperative exams are performed at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3-6 months, and yearly thereafter. If you experience any pain, trauma or unusual discomfort during the postoperative period, immediately contact Harvard Eye for instructions.

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