ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens

ReSTOR® is a multifocal intraocular lens designed to give patients greater visual freedom following cataract surgery.

When your eye's natural crystalline lens becomes clouded as a result of cataracts, the only solution is to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new clear one. Most of the lenses used in the past were monofocal lenses, which allowed patients to have good vision only for near or distance vision, but not both.

ReSTOR® is among several recently-approved options for giving patients the ability to see at more distances after cataract surgery, allowing many to have complete freedom from glasses and contacts. ReSTOR® is among the class of multifocal lenses that includes ReZoom™ and Tecnis® lenses as well. Accommodating lenses like Crystalens® (already approved by the FDA) and Synchrony (approval pending) offer a different solution that may be better for some people.

How ReSTOR® Works

Focusing on objects at different distances requires the ability to focus light from those objects on the retina. The eye's natural lens accomplishes this by being able to change shape and therefore change the focal point of light entering the eye after reflecting off the object. ReSTOR® and other multifocal lenses accomplish this by having multiple focus zones that simultaneously focus light from different distances onto the retina. The brain then selects the clear image of the object and we see it.

The ReSTOR® Design

The ReSTOR® design is a combination of two zones: the apodized diffractive zone in the center and the refractive zone around the outer rim. Apodization is the gradual reduction of diffractive step heights. The center part of the ReSTOR® lens has numerous tiny steps of diffraction that are supposed to offer a "full range of quality vision" for patients. In addition, the outer refractive zone is focused on a distant point and is designed to support distance vision in low-light conditions.

Practically, though, the ReSTOR® only offers good vision at short and long distances, with intermediate vision being sacrificed. This means that people will often be able to read and to drive without glasses, but may need glasses for working on a computer. Compared to other multifocal intraocular lenses, ReSTOR's apodized design seems to reduce the significance of glares, halos, and other night vision effects.

Recently, the FDA approved a new version of ReSTOR® that promises to provide better correction for people at intermediate distances. Comprehensive data on this new version of ReSTOR® is lacking, but currently reports seem favorable.

Risks of ReSTOR®

Many of the risks associated with ReSTOR® are not associated with the lens itself, but with cataract surgery. These include infections, hemorrhage, macular edema, and retinal detachment.

The main risk associated with ReSTOR® and with all multifocal lenses is that your brain will simply not adapt to the new way of seeing. Although most patients adapt quickly (within 3 weeks or so), many take longer (6-12 months), and a small number of patients will never adapt to the multifocal lenses.

One risk that is less common with ReSTOR® than with other multifocal intraocular lenses is the presence of nighttime glares and halos. Significantly fewer patients report this disturbing side effect following implantation of ReSTOR® compared to other multifocal lenses. However, this is still a potentially serious complication and should be discussed with your ophthalmologist prior to making a decision about what lens to use following your cataract surgery.

Talk to an Ophthalmologist

The only way to make an informed decision about which intraocular lens is right for you following cataract surgery is to talk to an ophthalmologist about the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Schedule an intraocular lens consultation with a local ophthalmologist today to learn more.