Custom Cataract Surgery on Long Island, NY

Custom cataract surgery is the same surgical procedure as advanced “no-stitch,” “micro-incision” cataract surgery. Just as in that procedure, the cataractuous lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). However, rather than implanting a standard monofocal IOL, which only corrects distance vision, during custom cataract surgery the surgeon inserts a premium IOL to provide patients with improved, clear vision at all distances. The goal of custom cataract surgery is to restore patients’ clear vision while greatly reducing their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. In fact, custom cataract surgery can simultaneously correct a range of vision errors, including hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia (age-related loss of reading vision).

Premium IOLs for Custom Cataract Surgery

Premium IOLs are leading-edge focusing devices that are implanted in the eye during custom cataract surgery to not only provide clear postoperative vision but also address vision errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. There are several types of premium IOLs used to correct specific vision impairments, including accommodating, multifocal and toric IOLs. Presbyopia-correcting, accommodating and multifocal IOLs provide improved near, intermediate and distance vision. Toric lenses, on the other hand, are designed to correct vision for custom cataract surgery patients who also have astigmatism.

Island Eye participated in some of the research and clinical trials that brought premium IOLs into use, and was among the first centers on Long Island to introduce multifocal and accommodating intraocular lenses. Please read the paragraphs below to learn about the most sophisticated premium IOLs used for custom cataract surgery.

Tecnis Multifocal IOL

Tecnis Multifocal IOL, manufactured by Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), provides postoperative custom cataract surgery patients with a full range of vision, including near, intermediate and far. This highly sophisticated, vision-improving device features advanced OptiEdge technology that is combined with a wavefront-designed surface for reduced glare, increased contrast sensitivity and outstanding image quality.

According to AMO clinical studies, 88 percent of cataract surgery patients who received Tecnis Multifocal were able to completely eliminate their dependence on corrective eyewear within six months after surgery.

AcrySof ReSTOR Multifocal IOL

AcrySof ReSTOR IOL, made by Alcon, is a multifocal IOL with a patented apodized diffractive system that delivers the appropriate amount of light to the retina, allowing for clear vision at multiple distances. In addition, its aspheric design reduces aberrations that can interfere with image quality. AcrySof ReSTOR is frequently used as a presbyopia-correcting lens implant in custom cataract surgery patients.

According to Alcon clinical studies of AcrySof ReSTOR, more than 80 percent of custom cataract surgery patients who received the lens reported never needing bifocals or reading glasses.

Crystalens Accommodating IOL

Crystalens is the only FDA-approved accommodating IOL. Manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, Crystalens features a unique optical system that uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate the eye’s focusing efforts, thereby allowing for improved vision at most distances. By using the eye’s natural focusing power, Crystalens adjusts to the visual needs of the patient, simultaneously correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia.

In clinical trials, Crystalens provided more than 88 percent of custom cataract surgery patients with a full range of corrected vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Toric IOLs

Approximately 20 percent of cataract surgery patients also suffer from astigmatism, poor vision due to irregularly shaped corneas. Toric IOLs are designed to correct pre-existing astigmatism in cataract surgery patients. Currently, there are two toric IOLs on the market: AcrySof Toric, manufactured by Alcon, and STAAR Toric, made by STAAR. Toric IOLs do not provide adjustable vision among varying distances; instead, toric lenses are fixed-focus lenses that provide sharper, unaided distance vision for individuals with astigmatism.

Approximately 95 percent of patients who receive a toric IOL are able to drive and watch television without the need for glasses.

Schedule a Consultation in Long Island

Island Eye’s attending ophthalmologists perform custom cataract surgery with premium IOLs for near-perfect postoperative vision. Please use our Physician Locator to schedule your consultation with our experienced eye doctors.