Change text size: Sm  Med  Lg
Cataract LensAlcon® AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL
AcrySof ReSTOR IOL Optimizing Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

About the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL

Here are some of the most common questions that eye care professionals have about the new AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens.

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is designed to provide vision similar to the pre-presbyopic human lens. It works by using apodized diffractive and refractive technologies to provide a full range of vision.

back to top

What is apodization?
Apodization is a gradual reduction or blending of the diffractive step heights. This unique technology optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina because it distributes the appropriate amount of light to near and distant focal points, regardless of the lighting situation. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL's apodized diffractive optic is designed to improve image quality while reducing visual disturbances.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL provide for near vision?
Light rays from a near object diverge as they enter the eye. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the central apodized diffractive region and +4.0 D correction to focus a clear image on the retina.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL provide for distance vision?
Light rays from a distant object are parallel as they enter the eye. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses both the central apodized diffractive and peripheral refractive regions of the optic to focus the distance image on the retina.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL perform for intermediate vision?
Clinical study results demonstrate that patients have good intermediate vision for daily tasks, such as applying make-up, shaving, reading labels on a shelf and viewing a computer monitor. 85% of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients achieved functional uncorrected intermediate vision of 20/40.

back to top

What were the results of contrast sensitivity studies?
Studies on the contrast sensitivity of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL indicated that at lower spatial frequencies, there was no clinically or functionally significant difference between AcrySof® ReSTOR® and monofocal control subjects. Other studies indicate that these lower spatial frequencies are most important in terms of vision related to everyday life skills, such as walking, driving and reading.1

back to top

How does pupil size affect near and distance vision?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL effectively restores near and distance vision, regardless of pupil size. In bright light, with constricted pupils, the lens sends light energy simultaneously to both near and distant focal points. In low light with dilated pupils, the apodized diffractive lens sends a greater amount of energy to distance vision to minimize visual disturbances.

back to top

Does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work well for night vision?
In dim or dark lighting conditions, patients with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL may experience glare or halos, although the majority report the incidence to be easily tolerated. This is due to a patented² technology, called apodization. However, surgeons are cautioned against implanting the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL in professional drivers or for patients who have lifelong complaints about night time glare.

back to top

Are there visual disturbances associated with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL features a technology called apodization, which is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of visual disturbances. Apodization is the gradual reduction in step heights of the diffractive elements of the lens. While some patients may still experience visual disturbances, their occurrence is greatly reduced due to the absence of sharp junctions or large steps in the apodized diffractive lens.

back to top

Are there studies on AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL performance?
Yes. Clinical studies demonstrate that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL has the ability to substantially restore a cataract patient's ability to see both near and distant objects, without the aid of reading glasses or bifocals. 80% of these patients did not need their reading glasses or bifocals following bilateral implantation. Additionally, it was shown that nearly 94% of the study subjects would have the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted again.

back to top

Is the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL reliable?
Yes. The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has determined that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is both safe and effective. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the same biomechanical/biomaterial platform as the AcrySof® Single-Piece Platform, which - as of August 2005 - has been safely used in over 23 million human eyes. Studies on the original monofocal AcrySof® Multipiece lenses have demonstrated a high level of material biocompatibility within the eye.3

back to top

Are there any adverse effects with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
The incidence of cumulative adverse events for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL compared favourably to the FDA historical grid rates. A single occurrence of pupillary block exceeded the FDA grid rate. No occurrences of persistent adverse events were observed in any patients implanted with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL.

back to top

Are biometric techniques for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL different from those of monofocal lenses?
There is nothing different or unusual about the biometry for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL compared to the techniques used for any other available AcrySof® lenses. As with any IOL, accurate biometry is essential for the overall success of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. It is important to target emmetropia, and to personalize the A-constant for all IOLs.

back to top

Is implantation of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL lens different than implantation of any other IOL in the AcrySof® family of lenses?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is implanted using the same technique as the AcrySof® Single-Piece IOL.

back to top

What is the A-constant for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?

  • The A-constant for the SN60D3 model is 118.1 using contact biometry, for up-to-date values using the IOLMaster®†  refer to the Zeiss website

Refer to the product specifications for additional details.

back to top

Does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL use the same materials and technology as the AcrySof® platform?
Yes. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the same biomechanical/biomaterial platform as the AcrySof® Single-Piece, which – as of August 2005 – has been safely used in over 23 million human eyes.

back to top

Which patients are best suited for implantation?
Proper patient selection is a key factor in ensuring successful outcomes with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. Age, degree of general alertness, ocular pathology, and functional and occupational requirements must all be taken into account. Certain subjective characteristics, such as realistic expectations and the desire to be free of glasses, must also be considered.

back to top

Are there studies on patient satisfaction?
Yes. The clinical studies demonstrate that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL not only offers a high level of spectacle freedom, but also carries a remarkably high patient satisfaction rate. In fact, nearly 94% of study subjects said they would have the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted again. More information may be found in the clinical studies section of this Web site.

back to top

Can the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL be implanted in the second eye if the patient already has a monofocal lens in the other eye?
Previous implantation is an important medical concern to patient selection. Please refer to the patient selection criteria discussed in this Web site.

back to top

For more information contact your local Alcon surgical representative or call 01442 341234.
  1. Data on file, Alcon.
  2. U.S. Patent No. 5,699,142
  3. Oshika, T., et al. "Adhesion of lens capsule to intraocular lenses of PMMA, silicone, and acrylic foldable materials: an experimental study." Br J Ophthalmol, 1998; 82 (5): 468.
  • The IOLMaster® is a registered trademark of Carl Zeiss Corporation.