Premium Lens Implants

Cataracts

A cataract is an opacity (cloudiness) which occurs in the lens of the eye. This can occur at any age. If we live long enough, we will all eventually develop cataracts.

Introduction to Premium Lens Implants

If your doctor has told you that you are in the early stages of developing cataracts or has suggested that refractive lens exchange would be a good vision correction option, you might want to research the new emerging lens implant technology in the field of ophthalmology. If you are nearing the age for cataract surgery and want a reliable vision correction solution premium lens implants might be a good fit for you. Premium lens implants have been helping patients do the activities they might not have been able to do because of their vision. Imagine golfing, driving, or reading the newspaper with less dependence on glasses.

Traditional Lens Implants

Prior to the advent of Premium IOLs, cataract surgery was only available with a monofocal lens. This meant that the lens implant was only capable of focusing at one range of vision, usually at a distance. For years patients would have monofocal lens implants that would help them see better far away, but they would require eyeglasses after cataract surgery to help them see anything close up. Patients who had an astigmatism would often need to wear glasses at a distance as well.

Understanding what lens is right for you!

Only you and your surgeon can decide what lens is best for you. When deciding, it is best to keep in mind the type of activities you do on a daily basis, and to choose the lens that will fit your lifestyle the best.

Types of Premium IOLs

Multifocal IOLs

The ReSTOR®  multifocal lens is an artificial lens implant that is designed to replace the natural lens of the eye. Made of a soft, flexible plastic material, the ReSTOR® lens has a patented design that allows it to focus light on the retina for clear vision at near, far, and intermediate distances. In just a few minutes, the ReSTOR® lens can be inserted in the eye, then quickly and easily unfolded to restore vision. The result is a remarkable improvement in both the quality (sharp, clear images at all distances) and quantity (a full range) of vision.

Who is a candidate for ReSTOR® lens implants?
The ReSTOR® lens is FDA approved for the treatment of cataracts. The ideal candidate for the ReSTOR® lens is someone who is seeking better vision at all distances – near, far, and intermediate – without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

Toric IOL

Many cataract patients suffer from astigmatism and have required glasses or contact lenses to drive or read for much of their adult lives. Toric lens implants correct for astigmatism and are placed in the patient's eye during routine cataract surgery just as the other intraocular lenses used here at The Eye Care Institute.

In the same way that Toric contact lenses reduce or correct astigmatism , patients can receive Toric intraocular lens implants to restore sharper distance vision. When the eye's natural lens (cataract) is removed and replaced with a Toric IOL, imperfections in the eye's shape are improved, resulting in clearer vision without the need for multiple incisions, as is common in other astigmatism surgeries. In addition, recovery time is shorter and more comfortable than with older methods.

PRECAUTIONS: As with any type of surgery there are risks involved including disturbances and secondary surgical intervention. The effect on vision with the Alcon Toric IOL in subjects with hereditary color vision defects and acquired color vision defects secondary to ocular disease (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, chronic uveitis, and other retinal or optic nerve diseases has not been studied.

Premium IOL Financing

At The Eye Care Institute we are happy to offer convenient financing options to our premium IOL patients. Our goal is to make cataract surgery affordable. Premium IOL financing options include 12 months interest free or longer financing terms are available with interest. Learn more by visiting CareCredit.com or contacting one of our cataract coordinators. Click here to apply online for your CareCredit card today!

Premium IOL FAQs

  • Your insurance will cover the cost of the traditional, monofocal IOL if cataract surgery is medically necessary. If you are a candidate for either the ReSTOR multifocal IOL or the Toric astigmatism correcting IOL and would like to reduce your dependency on glasses, there is an additional fee not covered by medical insurance. For more information please contact one of our vision correction counselors at 502.589.1500!

  • Traditionally, being over the age of forty meant you either had to take your glasses off to read or you had to wear reading glasses, sometimes known as “cheaters”. Today you may have another option, Refractive Lens Exchange, or RLE. The principles behind cataract surgery can be applied to patients who have not yet developed a cataract, or have a cataract that is not affecting their vision. With this procedure the clear, natural lens is removed and an artificial IOL is implanted. Patients can have the monofocal, multifocal or astigmatism correcting IOL implanted, depending on each patients individual wants and needs. Not only does the RLE procedure significantly reduce dependence on glasses, it ensures you will not have to have cataract surgery in the future.

    We typically advise our cataract patients from Louisville are the surrounding areas to not scrimp on their IOL choices. After all, this is your vision you’re talking about. You will have crystal clear vision after cataract surgery, but you can also be free of reading glasses with the new lens options. We’ll discuss your lens options with you, so that you can have a good idea of the marvelous IOL choices available today.

  • Since RLE is done on patients who do not have a cataract that is medically necessary to be treated, your insurance company sees the procedure as elective and cosmetic. Elective, cosmetic procedures are not covered by any medical or vision insurance plan. We do offer financing for this procedure with options that include no interest payment plans! For more information contact us today at (502) 589-1500 and ask to speak with one of our vision correction counselors!

 

Ready to get in touch?

We’d love to discuss your needs and how we can help.