Lens Package Options

Woman and Man Hugging

Cataracts can form at any point in your life, but typically will form after 55 years of age.  If your doctor has informed you that you are a candidate for cataract surgery, you may want to consider enhancing your procedure by selecting a specialty package.  Unlike monofocal lenses, the specialty packages are designed to help patients reach their vision correction goals, over and above what the benefits of standard cataract surgery provide.  

One package is designed to help correct a patient’s astigmatism, giving clearer distance vision with less dependence on glasses for distance vision.  You may have some residual distance, and will require glasses for near and intermediate vision.  The other package helps provide patients with near, intermediate, and distance vision with less dependence on glasses for daily tasks.  Before choosing the specialty package that is right for you, it is important to discuss your options with your cataract surgeon.  

Insurance companies, including Medicare, generally cover the cost for the cataract surgery using the standard intraocular lens, minus any deductibles of coinsurances you may have. If you choose to proceed with one of the specialty packages, your insurance will still provide up to its allowed payment for the standard procedure, but will not cover the cost of enhancing the surgical outcome with one of the specialty lens packages. Fees are based on the package chosen and cover additional services, devices, physician time, evaluation and any other additional treatments.

Please see below to read about the Specialty Package options you have at Regional Eye Associates.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call our Surgical Coordinator at 304-598-3301.

 

Cataract Surgery With a Monofocal Lens

 

Cataract Surgery With a Multifocal Lens

 

Cataract Surgery With a Toric Lens

Closeup of a Cataract

Understanding Your Natural Lens

The lens of your eye is an important structure. In order to see clearly at all distances (from up close to far away), your eye must be able to change its focus power. The lens of your eye is responsible for this change in focus – it changes its shape to bring whatever you’re looking at into clear focus. Sometime around the age of 40, we begin to lose the ability to see up close.  As we age, the lens hardens and cannot change shape anymore.  In order to focus at different distances, more than one glasses prescription is required.  This is typically built into one pair of glasses with a bifocal.

As we age even more, the lens may become cloudy. A cloudy lens is called a cataract. Cataract is a common problem among aging Americans, and cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed on adults in the United States. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed. Please take a look at the cataract surgery section for a more detailed explanation of the procedure.  In order for you to see clearly afterward, a new lens (called an intraocular lens implant or IOL) must be inserted at the time of surgery, or on very rare occasions, during a future surgery.

Monofocal IOL’s are routinely used to replace the natural lens which is removed during cataract surgery. These lenses have a single focal point and help provide vision correction at either near or far distances, but not both simultaneously. Most insurance companies will help cover the cost of a monofocal lens with cataract surgery.

With the latest technological advances, surgeons are able to provide Specialty Packages to qualifying patients in order to achieve certain goals post operatively.

Types of Premium Lenses

A Specialty Package can be a very exciting option for patients that want to have a new level of spectacle freedom after cataract surgery or with clear lens extraction.  Due to the complex nature of each person’s visual system, it is difficult for a patient to make an assessment about the right lens without consulting an eye surgeon.  Therefore, we highly suggest a consultation with one of our surgeons at Regional Eye Associates before making any decision on a lens implant.  A number of patients will have special considerations that may preclude the use of some of our treatments.  For second opinions on lens implants, please feel free to consult with our staff and doctors.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


ReSTOR

ReSTOR IOL

Regional Eye Associates proudly offers the AcrySof ReSTOR +3.0 D, a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) that is inserted in place of the natural lens during cataract surgery.ReStor +3.0 D features innovative technology that allows patients to enjoy the highest level of freedom from glasses ever achieved in FDA clinical trials of IOLs.

How Does the ReSTOR +3.0 D Work?

In the healthy eye, the natural lens accommodates easily to focus on objects at near, intermediate, and far distances.However, as we age, the once-flexible lens becomes rigid, cloudy, and hard to focus as a result of cataract development.The creators of the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL + 3.0 D were inspired by the flexible motion of the natural lens and sought to create a product that would mimic the eye’s properties.They created the AcrySof ReStor +3.0 D to allow patients to enjoy a complete range of vision independent of the ciliary muscle body.

The ReStor +3.0 D uses a unique combination of three technologies that complement each other to give patients sharper, clearer vision than what they could achieve with traditional monofocal lenses.Because of the specially designed optical properties of the multifocal lens, patients can enjoy high-quality vision with a dramatic freedom from glasses.In fact, Alcon has patented the application of apodization technology in an IOL, making AcrySof ReStor +3.0 D the first and only apodized diffractive IOL.This means that the lens features a patented design that allows the appropriate amount of light to varying focal points in both high and low levels of light.The result — increased independence from glasses and an astounding improvement over standard monofocal lenses.

How Does the ReSTOR +3.0 D Differ From Traditional Monofocal Lenses?

Traditional monofocal lenses are inserted during cataract surgery and are designed to offer patients only one point of focus.While patients who have monofocal lenses will be free from the cloudy vision that results from cataracts, they will still need to wear glasses in order to enjoy all depths of vision.

Multifocal lenses, on the other hand, are specially designed to give patients a wider range of vision. Most patients find that they are greatly independent of their glasses, and some do not have to wear any glasses at all. Individual results can vary, and it is important to understand that we cannot guarantee any outcome or total independence from glasses for all distances or visual tasks.

The ideal ReSTOR candidates want good vision, but don’t need perfect vision to be satisfied.  They place a high value on freedom from glasses. They have otherwise healthy eyes and don’t drive at night for a living.  If this sounds like you, then the ReSTOR may be the best eye replacement lens for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multifocal Lenses

Your doctor and surgical coordinator will thoroughly explain to you the risks and benefits of cataract surgery, which is the most commonly performed outpatient ophthalmological surgery in the United States.However, patients who are receiving the surgery must understand that no lens is perfect, and that there are compromises that must be made with every lens design.The ReSTOR +3.0 multifocal lens offers a wide range of focus for visual clarity, but it may cause patients to see rings or halos around light, especially at night. There may be a slight decrease in contrast for distance vision. Some see a shadow around letters when they read. Others may notice difficulty reading in low light conditions without glasses. If you have very dry eyes, retinal trouble, or corneal problems, then multifocal lenses may not be the right choice for you.  In addition, those that require optical perfection or who are long-haul nighttime truck drivers usually are better served with single vision lens implants.

Most patients who experience the rings or haloes around lights will adjust to the rings in approximately three to six months.This is a result of a process called neuroadaptation, in which the eyes and the brain must adjust to the visual changes following a multifocal lens implantation. However, it is important to remember that individual results can vary and that there is no assurance that you will adjust to them in this time frame or any other. The loss of contrast sensitivity or difficulty reading in low light without glasses may be permanent.

To learn more about the AcrySof ReStor +3.0 D, please contact our surgical coordinator at 304-598-3301.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


Crystalens

Accommodating Intraocular Lens Implant – Crystalens HD®

Crystalens

Crystalens IOL West Virginia – Regional Eye Associates

The doctors at Regional Eye Associates now have the technology, experience and capability to insert a revolutionary lens implant technology known as Crystalens HD®. The Crystalens HD is the fourth generation of the only FDA approved accommodating lens. This advancement in lens technology will clearly benefit senior aged patients who may be developing cataracts. When a cataract occurs in the eye, one of the biggest issues is that the lens hardens and does not flex or move to accommodate your vision. This new lens technology is based on a man made IOL that can actually react more like your natural crystalline lens. The end result is better vision at not only one distance but multiple distances.

If your eye doctor or ophthalmologist has told you that you are at the beginning stages of developing cataracts or has suggested that refractive lens exchange would be a good vision correction option, you might want to research the new emerging lens implant technology in the field of ophthalmology. The advantages a lens like this could bring to your vision is incredible. Some patients have described the experience as returning their vision to how they could see in their twenties.

This new intraocular lens technology of modern eye surgery has created advancements that can dramatically improve a patient’s ability to see with lens implants after cataract surgery. Some of these new intraocular lens implants might even be a better vision correction option than LASIK eye surgery depending on your prescription and age. In the past with LASIK eye surgery our doctors could correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Now, with the advent of premium multifocal IOL lens implants the giant burden of presbyopia can now be corrected. Presbyopia affects a vast part of our aging population and often requires bifocal glasses. People in their mid forties that have trouble with reading and typically experiencing the first effects of presbyopia. Presbyopia is an accommodation problem with the lens of the eye. As the lens hardens and becomes inflexible the ability to focus becomes harder.

Traditional Lens Implants

Prior to the new premium lens implant technologies the only option for lens implants after cataract surgery were known as MONOFOCAL. This meant that the lens implant is only capable of one distance (FAR, MIDDLE, OR NEAR). For years patients would have mono-focal lens implants but then require eyeglasses after cataract surgery. In many cases patients would opt for a good distance lens and just use glasses for reading or when needed in close proximity.

What is the Crystalens HD® Accommodative Intraocular Lens?

Crystalens Logo

The Crystalens HD accommodating intraocular lens is an intraocular lens used after cataract surgery or as a lens alternative in presbyopic lens exchange. The concept of the lens was engineered with a hinge design to allow the optic, or part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as your focus on an image changes. The Crystalens HD® accommodative intraocular lens is permanently implanted with a surgical process and functions in a similar fashion as the natural eye. Once the surgery has been completed your eyes can focus on far or near objects in a comfortable way with no discomfort. If you are experiencing presbyopia or cataracts please feel free to consult us about the possibility of utilizing the new Crystalens® accommodative intraocular lens.

FDA Clinical Trial Information

  • 100% could see intermediate (24″ to 30″) without glasses, the distance for most of life’s activities
  • 98.4% of patients implanted with Crystalens in both eyes could pass a driver’s test without glasses
  • Some patients did require glasses for some tasks after implantation of the Crystalens
  • 98.4% could see well enough to read the newspaper and the phone book without glasses.
  • Significantly more patients implanted with a Crystalens (88.4%) could see better at all distances then patients implanted with a standard IOL (35.9%)

How Does the Crystalens® IOL Work?

After the age of 40, people will often start to experience difficulty reading as the eye’s natural lens starts to harden. Prior to this, many people often experience excellent vision and are typically confused as to what is happening with their eyes. Because their vision may have been perfect they have never consulted an ophthalmologist as to what is naturally occurring. This inability to see at close distances or difficulty for the muscles in the eye to auto-focus can be very discouraging. This is known as loss of accommodation, or presbyopia. The Crystalens was engineered with a hinge design to allow the optic, or part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as your focus on an image changes.

Crystalens Doctors West Virginia

Because Regional Eye Associates is committed to providing our patients with the best in eye care and the latest eye technology we have trained doctors that are certified to implant this new breakthrough IOL. For more information onthe Crystalens or to analyze your candidacy for this procedure, contact us today!

For more information, please contact our surgical coordinator at 304-598-3301.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


Toric

Toric IOL Implants (for correction of astigmatism)

Toric IOL

Patients with nearsightedness and farsightedness often also have astigmatism. Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Instead of being round like a basketball, the cornea is shaped like a football. This uneven shape bends light rays so they do not focus precisely on the retina, resulting in blurred vision.Until recently, correcting astigmatism meant placing tiny incisions at the edge of the cornea. These incisions, known as LRIs (limbal relaxing incisions), caused the cornea to heal in a more spherical shape. Now, instead of additional surgery, cataract patients have anotheroption – the Alcon Acrysof Aspheric Toric Intraocular Lens. This implant is designed to incorporate astigmatism correction, eliminating the need for additional LRIs in many cases. That means an even faster, more comfortable recovery than ever before.

For more information, please contact our surgical coordinator at 304-598-3301.

Tecnis Toric by AMO

Tecnis Toric

The TECNIS Toric 1-Piece intraocular lens implant is used to re[place the natural lens that is being removed during cataract surgery.  The TECNIS Toric provides visual correction of aphakia and astigmatism of one diopter or greater in adult patients with or without presbyopia. This lens is clinically found to reduce or even eliminate dependence on glasses or contact lens after cataract surgery.  This lens is the latest addition to the TECNIS platform and provides that same proven optics and materials found in every TECNIS lens.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


Tecnis

Tecnis

Regional Eye Associates proudly offers Tecnis Multifocal, a refractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL).The Tecnis Multifocal is a synthetic lens that is placed into the eye’s capsular bag during cataract surgery.

The Tecnis multifocal lens, like other lenses used in cataract surgery, is inserted during an outpatient procedure.Your doctor will make a tiny incision in your eye and will use an instrument about the size of a pen tip to gently separate and remove the cloudy, brittle cataract from your eye’s capsular bag.He will then carefully insert an artificial lens in the lens into the eye, where it will remain permanently in place.

How Does the Tecnis Multifocal Lens Work?

The Tecnis Multifocal lens is specially designed to provide patients with superior vision throughout a wide range of focal lengths, and even allows patients to see clearly in low light.It features multiple refractive zones enhance uncorrected vision at close (i.e. reading), intermediate (i.e. computer work), and far (i.e. driving) distances.In fact, clinical trials show that nearly 9 out of 10 patients do not need glasses at all after receiving a Tecnis Multifocal lens.

What is the Difference Between a Traditional Monofocal Lens Implant and a Multifocal Lens?

Traditional monofocal lenses are inserted during cataract surgery and are designed to offer patients only one point of focus.While patients who have monofocal lenses will be free from the cloudy vision that results from cataracts, they will still need to wear glasses in order to enjoy all depths of vision.

Multifocal lenses, on the other hand, are specially designed to give patients a wider range of spectacle independence. Most patients find that they are greatly independent of their glasses, and some do not have to wear any glasses at all. Individual results can vary, and it is important to understand that we cannot guarantee any outcome.

FAQs About Multifocal Lenses

Your doctor and surgical coordinator will thoroughly explain to you the risks and benefits of cataract surgery, which is the most commonly performed outpatient ophthalmological surgery in the United States. However, patients who are receiving the surgery must understand that no lens is perfect, and that there are compromises that must be made with every lens design. The Tecnis multifocal lens offers a wide range of focus for visual clarity, but it may cause patients to see rings around light, especially at night.

Most patients who experience the rings or haloes around lights will adjust to the rings in approximately three to six months. This process is called neuroadaptation, which is facilitated by having both eyes treated with a multifocal lens and then letting your eyes and brain adjust to the changes. However, it is important to remember that individual results can vary and that there is no assurance that you will adjust to them in that time frame or any other.

For more information, please contact our surgical coordinator at 304-598-3301.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


Trulign

The TRULIGN is an intraocular lens implant used to replace the natural lens of the eye following the removal of a cataract. Regional Eye Associates are proud to offer our patients the latest advancements in intraocular lens technology and are pleased to offer TRULIGN at our offices serving the Morgantown, Fairmont, Bridgeport, Waynesburg and Petersburg regions.

Vitrectomy Surgery for Macular Pucker (Video)  

The TRULIGN is considered to be the new direction for lens replacements. It is true that standard monofocal IOLs deliver improved vision, but this improved vision is set at just one distance: usually far. As a result, after cataract surgery, many patients often need to wear glasses for near and intermediate vision; sometimes glasses are necessary even if they weren’t required prior to surgery.

But because the TRULIGN Toric IOL is a premium IOL that treats not only your cataracts but any post-operative astigmatism as well, it can result in much greater freedom from glasses, ultimately providing you with a broader range of vision. The TRULIGN lens truly is the future of lens replacement.

Some of the main benefits of TRULIGN include:

  • Excellent acuity and brightness when driving at night
  • Minimized halos and glare
  • Sharp vision for a range of near and far activities (e.g. reading, driving, crafts, hobbies, socializing, etc)
  • Advanced aspheric optics

According to clinical results, 99.2% of all patients reported no significant visual disturbances with the TRULIGN Toric IOL.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.


Tecnis Symfony IOL

Tecnis Symfony IOL

The TECNIS® Symfony IOL is a brand new offering for those that are suffering from presbyopia in addition to cataracts. The Symfony IOL is the only lens that has been approved to treat presbyopia, as well as improve distance vision. Unlike many intraocular lenses, the Symfony IOL doesn’t give patients halos or glare around lights, instead leaving them with clear, crisp vision. Have cataracts? Getting the Symfony IOL will give patients their full range of vision back: distant, intermediate and near vision.

How Does it Work?

For patients who are having their cataracts removed, the Symfony IOL is implanted during surgery. The Symfony is used to replace the natural cataract-affected lens of the eye. That’s it! The Symfony does not change how cataract surgery is performed; it only changes the way you see afterward. Patients see clearly almost immediately after surgery, with full results achieved shortly after. 

Why Choose Symfony?

Many patients who receive the Symfony IOL find that they no longer need their reading glasses – a big advantage over standard lenses. Another distinct advantage over standard lenses is a decreased chance of experiencing the annoying glare and halos around lights. The Symfony IOL also provides patients with improved vision at ALL distances! 

How do I get the Symfony IOL?

Since the Symfony IOL is so new, not many practices are currently offering it. Luckily, Regional Eye Associates, with many convenient locations throughout West Virginia and Maryland, is offering this brand new technology! Contact one of our many locations in Morgantown, Fairmont, Bridgeport and more for your cataract surgery consultation.

The Symfony is a revolutionary new lens, but it’s not for everyone. Make sure to talk to your doctor and see if you are a good candidate for cataract surgery. For those that are suffering from cataracts and presbyopia, the Symfony IOL is a great new option for regaining clear vision. To learn more about the Symfony IOL and if it is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our skilled cataract surgeons!

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