New Multifocal Lens Improves Cataract Patient Vision

Oct 10 , 2006

A new multifocal lens can be implanted into cataract sufferers’ eyes allowing them to see both near and far clearly.

Traditional cataract surgery uses a monofocal lens which improves near vision, or distance vision, but usually not both. The new multifocal lenses are designed to improve both distance and close vision, and sometimes the vision of distances in between.

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the U.S. Almost anyone in good enough general health to qualify for traditional cataract surgery will also qualify for the procedure with the new lens. The lens may even work for those with astigmatism, or unusually shaped corneas.

Studies claim that approximately 80 to 85 percent of those who receive the multifocal lenses will be able to read a newspaper, and see long distances well enough to play golf without glasses, according to Dr. Harry Buchanan, a doctor who uses the new lens.

The Lens itself looks slightly different from the traditional monofocal lens. The new lens has a series of concentric circles of varying vision corrective strengths, where the old lenses offered a uniform strength across the lens surface.

So far, three brands – ReSTOR, Crystalens, and ReZoom – are the only ones with FDA approval to market the new lens, but others have started the approval process.

Many of the patients who have had cataract correction surgery in the past experienced glare at night, light scatter, and rainbow effects around headlights, but all of those seem to be reduced with the new lenses. There is also marked improvement in this area with the new lens compared with past lenses that attempted to address both near and far vision.

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