Making your Decision

Exploring a world of IOL choices

If freedom from glasses is your desired outcome, the AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® IOL may be your best choice. This lens gives you the best possibility to have distance vision, in addition to the ability to read and perform close-up tasks, without the need for glasses. However, results of the clinical trials indicated that there is a slightly greater chance of having difficulty with halos

Halos: A circular flare or hazy ring that may appear around a headlight or other lighted object.

or rings around lights (five out of 100) and glare (five out of 100), as compared to a monofocal IOL

Monofocal IOL: An intraocular lens that provides patients with only one focal point. Most commonly, these lenses correct only for distance vision.

(one or two out of 100). Over time, some people grow accustomed to these disturbances and cease to notice them, while others may continue to see them long after surgery.

Although not all IOLs provide the full range of vision, there are cases when a monofocal lens offers more desirable outcomes for certain patients. Discuss your lifestyle and visual needs with your surgeon to determine which lens is right for you.

Potential Risks

As with any surgical procedure there are inherent risks, and your results cannot be guaranteed. Your surgeon will provide you with more detailed information about the potential risks and benefits to help decide whether cataract surgery and the AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® IOL is right for you.

Warnings

You may have some visual effects when several images are being focused at the same time. These may include rings or circles around lights at night.
You may have some difficulty in your ability to distinguish an object from a dark background. This may be more noticeable in areas with less light. Therefore, you should take extra care when driving at night.
Your surgeon should consider the following points before implanting the AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® IOL:
- To achieve your best vision after cataract surgery, your surgeon must determine the lens power best suited for your needs.
- The front surface of your eye may be irregular in shape (astigmatism
  Astigmatism: A vision problem that results in blurred distance and/or near vision. Light rays entering the eye are bent unequally, which prevents the formation of a sharp point of focus on the retina. This creates a blurring of parts of objects you see.
  ) before and after cataract surgery. The amount of astigmatism you have may affect your results after surgery.