New Multifocal Lenses Restore Clarity

NEW MULTIFOCAL LENSES RESTORE VISUAL CLARITY
By Doug Kirschner, Staff Reporter

NORWOOD – Imagine being able to read, drive, and play golf, all without glasses.  For many people, recent advances in technology offer exactly that.  Although nothing is guaranteed, and those with certain eye conditions may not achieve complete independence, most can lessen or eliminate the need for glasses with new multifocal lens technology.

The new lenses allow patients to overcome vision loss due to presbyopia, which results from the natural aging of the eye.  Presbyopia is a condition that affects everyone—generally starting between 40 and 50—when the eye’s natural lens begins to harden and lose its flexibility, thereby limiting one’s close-range vision.  This is why many elderly people need reading glasses despite otherwise decent vision.  Although near-sighted people may not notice the effects as early as others, presbyopia will eventually affect everyone who reaches old age.

LASIK surgery, which uses lasers to reshape the cornea, cannot be used to treat presbyopia, because presbyopia affects the eye’s inner lens, not the cornea.  That is why new replacement lens technology has gained so much traction in recent years.  The new lenses, composed primarily of silicone acrylic, are simply used to replace the eye’s natural lens.  These artificial lenses enable the eye to easily refocus for different distances, unlike the presbyopic lenses they replace.

Some lenses, including the Rezoom™ brand, use different focusing regions, whereas others, like the Crystalens®, flex to accommodate all ranges of vision.  The AcrySof ReSTOR® is another type which uses a technology called “apodization” to react to the eye’s pupil to accommodate different distances.  The FDA has approved all of these lenses in recent years, and clinical trials have found no increased risks from choosing multifocal lenses over standard lenses typically used in cataract surgery.

Dr. George Violin, M.D., F.A.C.S., who has been performing various eye surgeries for over 25 years, believes strongly in these new technologies.  He leads Medical Eye Care Associates of Norwood and Attleboro, and regularly performs cataract surgery and laser vision correction.  Since presbyopia involves the same lens that can develop cataracts, cataract patients are ideal candidates for multifocal lenses.  He described the procedure for exchanging the lens:



“The eye is numbed with drops.  Under an operating microscope, a small incision is made into the side of the cornea, and a thin probe is inserted.  This probe transmits ultrasonic waves, breaks up the cataract, and then removes it.  The replacement lens is placed inside the eye, where the natural lens was removed.”
Cataract surgery is performed on over 2 million Americans every year.  Lenses have been used in cataract surgery since the late 70’s and early 80’s, but recent advancements in materials and optics have improved their ability to accommodate all ranges of vision.

The small incisions do not require stitches, and heal relatively quickly.  The new lens does not feel any different than the natural lens it replaced.  Whether or not one becomes completely independent of glasses depends on several factors, including the precision with which the surgery is performed and the severity of vision problems prior to the surgery.  Most patients do not have any complications from the surgery, but a few have reported nighttime halos around lights for a few weeks following the surgery.

Dr. Violin nonetheless added that cataracts are not necessary to receive the procedure.  “It is possible to have the lens replaced after cataracts,” he explained.  Elaine Yerganian, surgical coordinator for Dr. Violin, added that “the procedure can be done for younger patients, such as those too nearsighted for LASIK.  That can also prevent them from ever developing a cataract.”

Multifocal lenses are effective for most people experiencing presbyopia. The procedure is low-risk, although Suzanne Lightbody, surgical coordinator for Dr. Violin, mentioned the importance of having the procedure done right.  “The lens must be put in right.”

Scientific studies conclude that roughly nine out of ten of people who receive replacement lenses report wearing glasses either never or occasionally, and roughly eight out of ten achieve complete independence from glasses.  As always, consult with your eye doctor if you want to determine whether the procedure would be right for you, and consult with your surgeon as to any specific risks or concerns you may have.  Upgrading to multifocal lenses from standard lenses is not covered by Medicare as part of cataract surgery, so expect to pay a higher price overall, possibly as much as an additional $1500 to $2500.

Modern technology makes now an exciting time for anyone looking to improve his or her vision.  Will glasses and contact lenses eventually become obsolete?  It will probably not happen within the next few years, but with emerging technology, society may be heading in that direction.

For more information, consult your eye doctor.  Be sure to ask about any specific eye conditions you may have.  To contact Medical Eye Care Associates, you may call (781) 762-9018 or (800) 322-2048, or email contactus@violinmd.com.