1. Lens Implants – Comparison, Options and Benefits
                                         
INTRAOCULAR LENS (IOL)
BASIC
MONOFOCAL LENS
ASTIGMATISM
CORRECTION
SURGERY or LENS
CRYSTALENS AO
TRULIGN TORIC
RESTOR
TECNIS MULTIFOCAL
PRESBYOPIA CORRECTION No
Yes
ZONES OF BEST VISION WITHOUT GLASSES THERE ARE 3 ZONES OF VISION:
Far (TV, Driving)
Mid-Range (computer, desk-work),
3) Near (reading documents up-close)
Far OR Near (not both).
Vision may still be out of focus without glasses near and far because of residual uncorrected astigmatism.
Generally clearer long-distance vision without glasses than a basic lens due to reduction or elimination of astigmatism.
Far and Mid-range
Far and Near
ASTIGMATISM CORRECTION WITH LENS
Crystalens No. Trulign Yes.
NEED FOR SPECTACLES AFTER SURGERY
Bifocals and/or reading glasses will be needed to see your best
Reading glasses needed for mid-range and near
Reading glasses needed for near
Reading glasses may be needed
for mid-range (computer)
Reading glasses may be needed for mid-range (computer)
STRENGTHS AND BENEFITS
OF THE LENS IMPLANT
Excellent vision through bifocal glasses.
Many individuals see relatively well far away without glasses.
Lens cost covered by medical insurance.
Excellent vision far away
without glasses
Excellent night vision, far and computer vision.
Very little night glare or haloes.
Astigmatism corrected with the Lensx laser and/or Trulign lens.
Excellent far and reading vision.
Good computer vision (mid-range).
Astigmatism corrected with the Lensx laser.
Excellent far and near vision.
Ability to read small print in all lighting environments.
WEAKNESSES OR SIDE-EFFECTS
Most patients (90% or more) will use glasses after surgery for most activities (Eg. Bifocals).
Does not correct astigmatism.
No ability to refocus mid-range (computer) or near (reading printed documents).
Patients will definitely use glasses to see computer and reading distances.
Most patients will need over-the-counter reading glasses to read printed documents up-close.
Most patients will need a “Yag capsulotomy procedure” within one year after implantation.
May need over-the-counter (+1.25) glasses to see the computer or mid-range. Some patients see a halo effect around lights at night.
Reading in low light may require glasses. Lens reflection may be seen cosmetically at times.
NIGHTTIME GLARE AND HALO
Minimal
Moderate
COST OF IOL COVERED BY MEDICAL INSURANCE AND/OR MEDICARE
METHOD OF CATARACT SURGERY REMOVAL
Manual surgery - bladed incisions
Laser cataract surgery
PREMIUM ADJUSTABLE FOCUS LENSES

2. Basic Cataract & Laser Cataract Surgery – Options and Benefits
TYPE OF SURGERY
BASIC CATARACT SURGERY
LASER ASTIGMATISM-CORRECTING SURGERY
LASER PREMIUM CATARACT SURGERY
Astigmatism reduced or eliminated No
Yes
Method to reduce astigmatism during cataract surgery
None
Laser guided corneal incisions and/or an astigmatism-correcting lens implant
Laser guided corneal incisions
Dependence on glasses after surgery
Yes. Most of the time. Expect glasses to see far and near. You will need bifocals and/or reading glasses to refocus your vision.
Yes. Some of the time. Far vision without glasses will be clearer. Glasses to see computer and to read printed documents will be needed.
Minimal. An adjustable focus or multifocal lens implant will reduce and possibly eliminate your dependence on glasses for seeing far, mid and near.
Major steps in cataract procedure
Blades, needles, or forceps
No blades. All laser.
No blades. All laser.
Method for opening the lens capsule
Accuracy and precision in creation of the capsular bag opening
Good. Less precise when performed manually
Excellent. More precise and exact when laser controlled.
Method of removing the cataract
Phacoemulsification (Ultrasound energy) only
Laser energy is used to soften the cataract first, then less ultrasound energy is used to complete the cataract removal process
Advanced diagnostic testing included
Corneal topography
OCT imaging of the retina
ORA optiplus analysis during surgery
Costs covered by insurance? Visually significant cataract.
Patient benefits and surgical results
Safe results.
Excellent outcomes.
Bifocals likely needed to see far and near clearly.
Vision without glasses may be blurred
Excellent outcomes with potentially safer results with greater precision, predictability and accuracy.
Minimal to no reliance on glasses to see far away.
Reading glasses needed
Minimal and often no dependence on glasses to see far/mid/near.
Type of lens used
Basic Monofocal, No astigmatism correction
Basic with laser astigmatism correction or astigmatism-correcting lens
Crystalens, Trulign Toric,
Restor or Tecnis multifocal