In cataract removal or cataract prevention, refractive lens exchange is the technique by which the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens, also known as an intraocular lens. Being an artificial lens, it is a popular method of cataract prevention because it effectively eliminates the risk of cataract development in the eye.
The early stages of cataract development as well as the onset of presbyopia are indications that surgery will eventually be required to replace the eye's natural lens. At this stage, many patients choose to undergo refractive lens exchange as opposed to live with the hassle of deteriorating vision.
The advantages of preemptive refractive lens exchange are:
- Eliminating reading glasses and bifocals
- Reducing routine vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness
- Effective alternative to LASIK in the case of patients with thin corneas
- Exchangeable intraocular lenses, allowing for vision adjustments in the future
- Zero risk of developing a cataract or presbyopia
Monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs)
Monofocal IOls may be used to replace the eye's natural lens, allowing the ability to see clearly at a single point, generally at a distance. This makes glasses necessary for vision correction. The advantage is that monofocal IOLs are covered by insurance, seeing as they are an essential component of cataract removal surgery.
Tecnis Multi-Focal
As opposed to a monofocal lens, which only provides clear vision at a fixed distance, the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens gives patients the ability to see clearly at any distance and with any light conditions. This option can effectively eliminate the need for glasses following cataract surgery.
Crystalens HD
Crystalens HD is an accommodating IOL, meaning it allows a patient to change focus from near distances to far ones, with every distance in between. In the case of presbyopia, the natural lens is unable to flex and bend, making an accommodating lens a helpful option.
The Crystalens HD adapts to the existing eye muscles and uses them to bend in the same way the natural lens once did. This gives the patient an increased depth of focus, improving vision at a close distance without compromising medium or far distances.
With other IOLs, there have been inherent problems such as glare, halos and trouble with night vision. Patients with Crystalens HD have reported a significant drop in these problems. The Crystalens only relays a single image to the brain, unlike multifocal lenses that project multiple images. This eliminates the need for the brain to "adjust" to the different images.
In short, the Crystalens HD is constructed to give patients a natural spectrum of vision, from reading a book to driving a car.
Toric Lenses
The cornea is supposed to be perfectly round. When it becomes curved in one direction more than the other, like an ellipse, astigmatism is the result, causing blurred vision. Toric IOLs are specially shaped to offset the imbalance.
If a patient is suffering from both a cataract and astigmatism, Toric IOLs are the solution to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism, delivering dramatically improved vision at a distance without the need for glasses or contacts.
After refractive lens exchange using a Toric IOL, 95% of astigmatic patients report clear vision. This is a significant contrast to patients with astigmatism who receive a standard IOL, who have a 25% chance of seeing clearly without glasses.
Once a Toric IOL has been implanted, it will stay in place, eliminating any pre-existing astigmatism.
TRULIGN® Toric Lens
Representing the very latest in eye care technology, the TRULIGN® toric lens is now available at our Newport Beach office. The surgeons at Atlantis Eyecare are among the first to offer this leading edge lens, which was just approved by the FDA on May of 2013.
What is TRULIGN® Toric IOL?
The TRULIGN toric IOL contains some of the most advanced technology of any intraocular lens on the market. It has been specially designed for patients with acute astigmatism who wish to improve their nearsightedness. It is capable of correcting up to three diopters, which is a unit of vision strength. In patients with astigmatism, this is significant. There is no IOL that can give patients the near vision that TRULIGN is capable of.
The greatest asset of TRULIGN is its ability to allow the eye to focus on a full range of distances, unlike monofocal lenses which only accommodate a single distance.
Is TRULIGN Right For Me?
In a consultation with one of our eye specialists, you will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for TRULIGN. Our cataract surgeons are among the best in the country, qualifying them to give you a full and educated recommendation regarding your Newport Beach cataract surgery. Please call us today to set an appointment.