Alcon’s ReSTOR® lens, a flawed technology

2008-12-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

Alcon’s ReSTOR® lens is a flawed technology. Don’t believe all the hype. The Restor lens is supposed to provide both near and far vision. Alcon claims that a majority of ReSTOR® patients (99 out of 100) enjoy good distance vision and 97 out of 100 enjoy good near vision; few (less than 5 out of 100) require reading glasses more than half of the time for “close-work.” Reading glasses may be needed in low lighting for your best focus.

I must be one of the 5 that has no near vision to speak of. After spending $3,700 and eleven months for the installation of the ReSTOR® lens I have ended up with the same capability of a mono-focal lens.

What they do not tell you about is the required drug protocol (three types of drops) four times a day for months or that the lens will not correct for astigmatism requiring you to undergo an additional laser surgery. The latest lazer technology is called Lasik with a recovery period of about a month. Unfortunately after cataract surgery the recommended procedure is PRK which has a three month recovery cycle.

When it became apparent that my vision was not working out as planned, it was thought that the problem was the position of the lens. The manufacturer requires that it be placed within 1.5 mm of center. Mine was positioned 1mm of center. An additional surgery was performed in an attempt to reposition the lens. Unfortunately too much time had elapsed and lens was partially attached to the eye. Only the vertical position was corrected. If you decide on the ReSTOR® lens insist that the surgeon center the lens within 0.5 mm of center.

If freedom from glasses is your desired outcome, the Alcon ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® IOL may not be your best choice.

The bottom line of this is that your natural lens is the best you will have. If you will need cataract surgery wait until you cannot pass your drivers test (20/45) and then go with the mono-focal lens. This is the most cost effective and least evasive approach. The only down side is that you will need glasses for reading.

Stark Ravings

Stark Ravings Comments

Alcon’s ReSTOR® lens, a flawed technology