How the ReStor intraocular lens helps our Laguna Hills patients

The removal of a cataract means the removal of a natural eye lens. To complete this procedure, it is necessary to replace the natural lens with an artificial lens made of biocompatible material. The artificial lens placed into the eye is called an intraocular lens and this may be made to accommodate existing vision problems.

If a monofocal lens is used to replace the natural lens, the focus is targeted on distance vision. In many cases, this type of lens can leave one in need of eye glasses for reading or near vision. Before the development of the ReStor intraocular lens, there were a few different ways in which vision could be corrected:

• Each eye could see well at distance, with reading glasses a necessity after cataract removal.
• The dominant eye would be targeted for distance correction and the non-dominant eye was treated for near vision correction of myopia as necessary.
• A presbyopic lens would replace the natural lens. This option may have had the side effect of halos and night glares.

Innovations in optical technology have continued to bring us better options for vision correction after cataract surgery. The goal is to achieve as near natural function as possible and this means restoring the adaptability of the natural lens, which is constantly making adjustments in order to see both near and far as well as in between. At this time, the ReStor multifocal lens is favorable for vision correction in many of our patients. Dr. George Salib has successfully helped patients from Laguna Hills and other Orange County communities achieve better vision after cataract removal surgery.

How ReStor works

The ReStor lens operates on the principles of refraction, diffraction, and apodization. These complementary aspects are what allow the eye to adequately focus on objects at various distances. With the ReStor IOL, night distance vision is achieved with the refractive portion of the lens. Distance vision in brighter light is accommodated by the diffractive portion of the lens, which circles out from the center. Through apodization, near vision is accommodated. This portion of the ReStor IOL is also designed in such a way to minimize the risk of optical disturbances such as halos.

The team at the Orange County Eye Institute provides care that includes proven technologies. Contact our office at (949) 441-5444.