525 Amherst St. • Winchester, VA 22601 • P 540-667-5535 • F 540-667-5536
ReSTOR Lens
Understanding ReSTOR Lenses
Until recently, life without reading glasses or bifocals was not an option for most
cataract patients. You now have an option - the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Intraocular lens
(IOL).
How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work?
As we perform daily activities such as reading, watching television or working at
the computer, our eyes are constantly focusing on objects at varying distances – up
close, far away and everything in-between. The ability to quickly change focus
throughout this range of vision is called accommodation.
Unfortunately, this ability diminishes as we grow older, causing us to become
dependent on bifocals or reading glasses. However, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL was
designed to provide quality near to distance vision by combining the strengths of
apodized diffractive and refractive technologies. Similar technology has been used
for years in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality, and has now
been patented for use in intraocular lenses by Alcon.
Apodized Diffractive
Apodization is the gradual tapering of the diffractive steps from the center to the outside edge of a lens to create
a smooth transition of light between the distance, intermediate and near focal points. Diffraction involves the
bending or spreading of light to multiple focal points as it passes through the lens. On the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL,
the center of the lens surface consists of an apodized diffractive optic. This means that the series of tiny steps in
that center area work together to focus light for near through distance vision.
Refractive
The refractive region of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL bends light as it passes through the lens to a focal point on the
retina. This outer ring of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL surrounds the apodized diffractive region and is dedicated to
focusing light for distance vision.
The Results
Incredible range of vision
For most patients, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers excellent near and distance vision, and good intermediate
vision without reading glasses or bifocals. In fact, with this increase in vision quality, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL
patients would be able to pass the visual acuity portion of the driver's license exam in most states.
The ability to read quickly and easily
In an independently conducted study, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients were tested to see how easily they could
read paragraphs of decreasing font size, and their results were compared to patients with other IOLs. While only
one of 13 patients with other IOLs could read small type (such as the newspaper), four of five AcrySof® ReSTOR®
patients were still able to read small type quickly and easily.
Better vision for various lighting situations
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL delivers quality vision for various lighting situations. In brightly lit conditions, the
central apodized diffractive portion of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL sends light waves simultaneously to both near
and distant focal points, while, in dimly lit conditions, the surrounding refractive area sends greater energy to
distance vision.
Click here to read more about this amazing product on AcrySof's® website.
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The Winchester Eye
Surgery Center is staffed
by caring professionals to
serve patients' surgical
needs and provide
cataract, corneal,
oculoplastic, glaucoma
and general
ophthalmology
procedures.