Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
my doc says that the Rezoom is a Restor wannabe. It works, and if you have a cataract, you'll be impressed with any replacement. My Restor keeps me from having glasses in every room, vehicle, etc. you have a higher chance of needing glasses with rezoom.
I had the ReZoom lens implanted in my left eye, 3 weeks ago and have had excellent distance vision - 20/20, my intermediate is very good and in the restaurant today, I was able to read the menu easily. I just had my right eye done this Monday, the 5th, and chose to have a .-5 from the left one to do a bit of mono to perhaps improve the near vision. I also had astigmatism on this eye also. I am still recovering, but am very excited about not wearing any glasses at all.
I am facing surgery soon and I am also leaning towards Rezoom.
See my post (below).
My question is how are you progressing after the second eye?
Here is my post:
I am 49 with cataracts and need to be able to see best at computer distance for work. I am leaning towards the ReZoom iol to be inserted into my non-dominant right eye first(-6.5 no astigmatism). My left (dominant-8.25 no astigmatism)eye has a cataract but is not necessarily ready for surgery yet.
I am looking for someone who has the ReZoom lense to give me feedback on the overall results including distance, intermediate, close up, night vision, and low light close up reading (as in a menu).
I look forward to the comments from hmh and the doc. Having no astigmatism is a big plus in your case and with the ReZoom being a foldable small incision implant you should remain that way. The other thing that I have been told is that high myopes such as yourself, do well. Hyperopes the same. It is the low myopes such as the minus 1 and two that are hard to please, no matter what try to do.
Low myopes are people who are just a little bit nearsighted. High myopes are so nearsighted that when they take off their glasses they can hardly see the alarm clock.
I'm 63 and have been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. I recently had a complete evaluation at the Jacksonville Eye Center and the surgeon has recommended ReZoom IOLs for both eyes over the Crystalens and ReStor at a cost of 2,700 each. Another highly recommended surgeon in JAX is recommending the ReStor at 2,800 and does not offer the ReZoom as an option. An evaluation has not been done yet with this surgeon. Would like some feedback on ReZoom vs Restor from all with any suggestions or those with recent implants.
The great thing about ReZoom is that is truly is the only lens that givesyou the FULL range of vision. Excellent distance vision, good intermediate vision (unlike the ReSTOR), and adequate and "comfortable" near vision. ReSTOR patients complain that the near vision is great, but "too close", "too close for comfort".
I disagree with hud. ReSTOR has higher chance for needing glasses for distance. Plus ReSTOR patients complain that after a few months after surgery, their distance vision is like looking through "vaseline" or "wax paper". ReZoom gives outstanding distance vision, intermediate, and adequate near visoin for most tasks. If you need really close near vision, you can have the surgeon set the 2nd lens for a little minus to give your closer near vision. Better to have 2 ReZoom than 2 ReSTOR.
you have to wonder why more doctors offer restore than rezoom?
see for yourself at the surgeon finders at www.acrysofrestor.com and www.visioninfocus.com. Also, Wall Street seems to like the restore maker (Alcon) better than rezoom's (AMO). The word is that rezoom has more distance vision than it's predessesor array, not better reading, so restor is the runaway favorite. Since AMO was dumped by high-flyer Allergan a couple of years ago, they have yet to impress investors with their product pipeline or profitability. I smell a shill in some of these postings.
I am told than ReSTOR has been "pre sold" by Alcon for the past 2-3 years. It was also available earlier than ReZoom which would explain why more surgeons currently use it, if that is true. For 8 years, the only FDA approved multifocal was the Array, made by AMO. Every product has it's strenghts and weaknesses. Prior to the availability of ReSTOR, Alcon would tell eye doctors about the halos and glare of the Array. Now that ReSTOR is out, you don't see Alcon talking about halos and glare even though ReSTOR patients experience them. I know ReSTOR recipients that complain that their near/reading vision is very good, very strong, often too strong for comfort. The ReZoom gives better distance, definitely better intermediate(computer, cell phone, dashboard,piano music,etc) and adequate and comfortable near/reading vision. Only occasionally might a ReZoom recipient need a pair of readers to fine tune the vision (reading stock page for 3 hrs, etc). Even ReSTOR recipients need glasses for some things. AMO bought VISX, the largest laser company for LASIK earlier this year.
eagle eyes-
You know quite a bit about the industry, it seems. Is it true that AMO is coming out with a diffractive multifocal such as the Restor? If true, why is the Rezoom better? It just looks like a perpetual game of keeping up with the joneses, and one-upmanship. Thanks.
I am 43 and have been recently diagnosed with a cataract in my right eye, and the beginnings of one in my left. I am 7 years post LASIK. I was extremely myopic prior to LASIK (-9.75L, -11.0R), but fortunately have enjoyed near 20/20 vision for all but about the last 4 months.
I have consulted the doctor who performed my LASIK and he recommends the second generation ReZoom lens - says his cataract patients (including post-LASIK cataract patients) have had excellent results with it. A local surgeon - who has much less post-LASIK experience - recommends the Crystalens (sp?), but readily admits that he doesn't use anything else.
My questions are:
1. Because I am post-LASIK, what factors should I consider when choosing a surgeon? In other words, is post-LASIK experience a must, or can an otherwise competent and experienced cataract surgeon achieve the same results?
2. Should I go with the monofocal Crystalens, or is the ReZoom lens the better choice for me?
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated and considered. Thank you.
USAF, I would stick with your doc who did the lasik. If he was doing it seven years ago he understands refractive surgery and is ahead of the game. You were a high myope and wanted lasik in the first place so you seek to become less dependant on glasses. You are young so you should adapt well. He already has your chart and should have your pre-op refractions prior to your lasik etc. so he should have the best shot at good outcomes. If you feel he did a good job the first time, than why leave him.
Hud -- well I am a nurse and a patient so I have been around eyes and eye surgery a long time. Also have experience with both lenses in the clinic & OR. Experience is a great teacher. With the internet and Google searches one can find what is out there just around the corner. Refractive lenses (ReZoom) and Diffractive/Refractive (ReSTOR) and DIffractive lenses (Tecnis Multifocal) all have their place. It is not a matter of keeping up with the Joneses but continuing to excel and improve upon what we have. Look how far we have come since the old days of cataract surgery and lenses...
Why is ReZoom better you ask? I say because ReZoom recipients are happier with ALL distances of vision Great distance, intermediate and near. Over 90% do not wear glasses for any distance. ReSTOR patients have better near vision because it is stronger and they hold closer. Distance vision is definitely not better, and usually worse than ReZoom distance vision. Intermediate is the reason why ReSTOR doctors are switching to ReZoom. I listen to my patients and friends to form my beliefs. How about you?
To USAF JAG ---
I strongly agree with eyecu becuase it is very important to have your old records/chart from before and immediately after LASIK. These numbers are crucial to select the correct implant power when you do have your surgery. Your surgeon already has your chart and knows your eyes. Sounds like he knows his stuff. Best of Luck!
Ok, I'll jump in here again. I'm in the investment business with an emphasis on medical devices. Generally speaking, anyone with a cataract will be pleased with their results, even if their replacement implant is a monofocal. Get rid of the cataract, replace it with a distance focus lens. Alcon has been the market leader in intraocular units sold in the US and the world (2 to 1)for years because of the AcrySof one-piece acrylic design has been clinically preferred by most surgeons. They have never sold a silicone IOL, and the acrysof lens has always had a square edge, and the lowest opacity rates in the industry. What does that have to do with multi-focals?
About 15 years ago, Alcon bought the IOL division of 3M for the ReSTOR diffractive lens technology.
Alcon added an apodized (reduced step heights and widths) the diffractive center on the most popular implant platform in the world to create the ReSTOR lens. They then sold the rights to diffractive technology.
What about ReZoom? Well, you have to look at Array first. AMO used data from the Array, a silicone 5 zone multifocal, and combined it with the data for their very first acrylic lens, Sensar, to gain easy approval from the FDA without doing clinical trials. The FDA submission shows the only difference between Array and Array2(now known as Rezoom)is that they enlarged one distance ring and put it on an acrylic optic. The $150 Array is now discontinued and Array2 (rezoom) is now availble to hospitals for $895. They added a square edge to be more like the leader, AcrySof.
So with Rezoom, you have a 3-piece contraption more distant-dominant than it's predecessor, filters only UV light, and has a name similar to the market leader. Sounds only slightly better than a monofocal IOL.
ReSTOR is an elegant one-piece design built on the cadillac of IOL's, and filters both UV and harmful blue light. The "lifestyle" considerations are AMO's desperate attempt to get a piece of the pie that they lost. They are also hoping to compete more effectively in 2007 when their Tecnis diffractive IOL comes to market(see who keeps copying who?). It should be better than Rezoom, but not better than Restor, because it is not apodized, and it will have glaring rings all the way out on the optic. That's what Alcon avoided in the 3M design for the last 15 years. The bottom line is the sweet spot for patient satisfaction is greater with ReSTOR, by far.
Well for someone in the financial end of business you sure claim to know alot of info about the technical side of the business. It seems that you may not have done a thorough job of your research. To me, you are causing alot of confusion to people on this website who are confused enough as is and are coming here for help. Eyesight is a precious and nobody wants to come here and walk away thinking they made a mistake by not having a ReSTOR after reading your biased, unfounded opinions.
For the record, as a nurse, as someone who works on the medical/surgical side of the eye business, and who sleeps well at night knowing that I try hard to make a better difference for people everyday.....
Alcon is owed by Nestle, yes the chocolate people so they have deep pockets/lots of money and that means tons of marketing. Everyone is the business world knows that marketing the same message over and over is successful even if it is not truthful.
True Alcon does not sell silicone lenses, AMO sells both silicone and acrylic, each has it's place. Imagine that, a comany that offers choices for it's customers! It is not the Alcon Acrysof square edge that lowers PCO (posterior capsule opacification -or wax paper like membrane after a period of time after cataract surgery) It is the square edge. This has nothing to do with the material but the design. AMO has it the square posterior edge on both silicone and acrylic lenses. The Array did not have the square edge, the ReZoom does. The Array was designed before the science was done to proof that the square edge lowers PCO. You are incorrect again with your comments about the difference in Array and ReZoom. There are 5 rings and 3 of the 5 are changed, not one. It is not called Array 2. The only people htat call ReZoom Array2 are Alcon people. There was an Array 2 briefly in Europe but not in the US. A 3 piece lens is ideal because there may be a compromise during any given surgery whereby the surgeon needs to put the lens in the sulcus instead of the bag. You absolutely cannot and should not do this with the one piece and definitely not the ReSTOR. Interestingly enough, Alcon now has the ReSTOR available on the 3 piece as well as the one piece. Again, imagine that. As for the harmful blue light, where is the science there? And what does that do to contrast sensitivity especially on a diffractive optic where contrast is already an issue? As for the Tecnis Multifocal, it is doing very well in Europe competing with ReSTOR. All of the new lenses Crystalens, ReSTOR, and ReZoom have their sweet spot. I hope that all of the people on this website coming for answers back me up and see you are trying to push ReSTOR and bash ReZoom. Shame on you.
hud-you need to diversify your investments. Just look at this board with patients. I do not find one unhappy ReZoom patient and quite a few ReStor patients. The cream will rise to the top.The most important thing is improving peoples lives and all of these lenses have the chance to do that. Your first post blasts the ReZoom. Without going into tecno jargon,there are many invalid accusations in you responses. There are many happy patients with all technologies involved. And there are many variables that go into every case. I personally feel the ReZoom is more forgiving and provides better outcomes across the board but that is only one opinion. I do not disagree with happy ReStor patients or Crystalens patients because they are happy and that is all that counts. Time and results will be the determining factor in spite of marketing and vested intertests. You can blast the Array but my father and uncle have it and love it. The recent ruling by CMS changed the playing field and now people have to pay for it instead of having it covered. The ReZoom is an improved product or second generation based on research after seven years of implantation. The ReStor is a first generation with the results yet to be determined. Throw out all the stock market stuff and look at the science. The most important thing is to improve the quality of life and help us try to see like we did 20 years ago. Different strokes for different folks. I have already placed my bet and we tend to differ, but that is okay. Competition is good and drives improvement. The bottom line is that the patient should win.
Yeah, I am a commercial for Restor. I am a happy Restor patient who uses a computer all day without glasses. I don't crochet or do crossword puzzles. I golf, play the piano, read menus in any light, read the stock charts, and I can read product inserts. It's my business to know the technical side of devices. Nestle does own the majority of Alcon stock, but so does Fidelity, Vanguard, etc, and others. Who owns AMO? The bank. This company is so heavily mortgaged, it may never make a profit. I get my info from my doctor, as well as from Jim Mazzo, Cary Rayment, Bill Link, and Liz Davila, and other principals of the various companies when they present financial outlooks for their respective companies. At the last presentation, the president of AMO was even suggesting that surgeons should mix his product with another company's product in the same patient. That tells me that even AMO doesn't have full confidence in Rezoom. Face it, they took the Array and made it more distant dominant with Rezoom - and that makes it a presbyopia-correcting IOL?
AMO had 100% marketshare of foldable IOL's until Alcon launched Acrysof. Now AMO has about 25% and has scrambled to get in the acrylic business. That's not a choice, it is survival. They also had 100% of the multifocal marketshare, until Alcon entered it. AMO will be lucky to keep 25% of the multifocal business-that's why they are urging to use it 50% of the time. Since you are on the professional side, you mark my words: Rezoom will be sold at a lower price soon. Do your patients a favor and and either get on the Restor train, or get run over by it.
You make me laugh with all of the rhetoric. This forum is to help patients, not a board for stock tips. But since you are such an Alcon boy, tell us about the innovators such as a recent award to AMO for $213, treble damages. Two patents. The judge says "the jury was presented with clear and convincing evidence that Alcon intentionally copied" and "I agree that this is an exceptional case, that the damages award should be trebled, and that reasonable attorney fees should be awarded". AMO recenlty bougth VISX which is the number one excimer laser lasik surgery company. They provide a full portfolio of intraocular lenses on silicone platforms as well as acrylic which both have their own benefits. They introduced the first foldable lens, the first multifocal and obvioulsy the most innovative phaco tecnology since they are being copied. They have a refractive Multifocal, a diffractive in the works as well as accomdating IOL's. You being one out of five ReStor patients on this board puts their success rate at about 20%. Good luck. I tend to chose my company based on principles and ethics. You chose yours. I will get back to patient issues. You can stick with investment banking and the future will see who rises to the top. The patients will determine the outcomes. Competiton breeds innovation and that is what keeps things moving forward and provides many patients on this board happiness that they can continue their lives with improved visual outcomes after cataract surgery.
eyecu-
you sure got me there. If the $213M lawsuit sticks, it just might be the saving grace for your employer. Yeah, your company.
I guess we flushed out an AMO person masquerading as a healthcare professional. I thought your responses were a bit too brand-specific and on-message for an unbiased patrician. But when you changed the subject from lens implants to phaco lawsuits, you showed your true company patriotism. Good insight on the product pipeline, too. Are you in sales or marketing, eyecu?
Go get Rezooms implanted, and take eagle eyes with you. Then you can contaminate forums like this. You messed up a great thing about the internet.
For those truly interested in the best chance of spectacle freedom, don't fall for the story of high percentage of "never or occassionally" wear glasses. Hell, before my cataract surgery I was never or occassionally wearing glasses. I have attached the product insert for Rezoom, where the "never" wearing glasses number is 41%. That means 59% of you will still be called 4-eyes, occassionally.
My Restor insert says 80% of the FDA study patients "never" wore glasses again. And that's me.
Let's see 41% chance or 80% chance? No contest.
I am not flushed out, just been working with patients, happy patients with more ReZoom than ReSTOR lately, and not online. You are incorrect again with your fuzzy math. We still have package inserts of the Array as well as ReZoom in our practice. The package insert for the Array (which is no longer available as most 1st generation products when something better comes along), came out in 1997 did show 41% of patients went without glasses. The ReZoom numbers without glasse are 93% for distance, 93% for intermediate, 82% near. I think you are confusing the ReZoom package insert numbers. Read it. The ReZoom package insert is Array data, so that is where the 41$ is coming from. I stick with my last comments that ReSTOR and ReZoom are both great products, but nothing is perfect. I am thrilled that you are able to enjoy your life with your ReSTOR vision. Yes, I repeat, 9/10 ReZoom recipients do not wear glasses for anything, have better distance vision than our ReSTOR recipients, have better intermediate, computer vision than our ReSTOR patients.
Thanks for the comments. I am scheduled to have cataract surgery Feb. 10 and 24 and I have selected a ReZoom IOL based upon my surgeon's strong recommendation. He has had experience with all of them and says ReZoom is what I should use. I am a high myope atheletically active senior (tennis, skiing, biking, hiking)who also spends a lot of time at the computer. Based upon what I have read above, I am making the right decision with ReZoom. However, I am concerned about halos, etc. and night driving issues, as I do drive at night on dark two lane roads sometimes. I will let you all know what happens after my surgery but if there is anything else I should know first, please let me know.
I think you are making the right choice by listening to your surgeon. My father and unlce have Array and are happy and the ReZoom is even better. Let us know your results.
Philz
It is normal to worry about the halos. Most people that have halos (not all do) describe them as noticeable at first, not really bothersome. After a period of time (from few days, to few weeks, worst case scenario few months) brain learns to suppress/ignore them, so you don't even notice anymore. You are making the right choice. Let us know how you do.
I am slated for cataract surgery and am wondering if everyone is suited for lense implant. I do not have any eye disease. i have heard that in some cases patients run into difficulty during surgery with having the implant successfully implanted. How prevelent is this does anyone know? And are some patients only able to have the mono implant done because of astigmatism. OR is it that if you are suited for mono lense your also suited for rezoom lense(progressive lense). Or is there a difference ? I read on one site that if there is a problem during surgery to receive the implant they can use a contact lense over the cornea.Does that mean that when you remove your contact you can see nothing as your natural lense has already been removed?
I am going to see my cataract specialist on this coming tuesday.
its the right eye that is to be done first, in the mean time i have a retinal surgeon doing a vitrectomy to remove severe case of eye floaters in the left eye. All this began with the floaters had a vitrectomy done last may then the cataract set in which they told me would happen. Now after the right eye has been done its the left eye next/ vitrectomy but then it will take some time for cataract to form in left eye. Then another lense implant will be necessary. This is a real long haul but i hope it will turn out real good so i can once again see clearly
I'm wondering if i should have the vitrectomy done on my second eye before having the lense implant done on my right eye. my concern is whether the implant will turn out successfull. Or should i wait to see how the implant goes and then do the vitrectomy on the left ye to remove those awfull floaters. Other then the floaters driving me nuts i have 20/20 vision on the left eye.
Every patient these days gets a lens implant (IOL) - intraocular lens implant). Once the natural crystalline lens (cataract when it is cloudy and affecting vision) is removed, one cannot see unless he has 1. IOL 2. Aphakic contact lens (you take in and out --aphakic means without lens) or 3. Aphakic glasses -very thick coke bottle glasses that only give central/tunnel vision, no side vision. 99.9% if not 100% of all cataract pts today receive IOL.
If you have more than 0.75D or 1.00 Diopter of corneal astigmatism post op, you will not read well with a multifocal (ReZoom / ReSTOR) or accommodative (crystalens) IOL. It is pretty easy for the surgeon to correct the astigmatism with either LRIs (limbal relaxing incisions) a little incision in the cornea to relax the astigmatism )go from football shape to basketball shape) or do LASIK enhancement to accomplish the same thing (flatten the steep axis or go from football to basketball shaped cornea)
As far as having vitrectomy before cataract surgery, ask your surgeon and your retinal specialist which to do first. It is important to note that it is easier for either surgeon to do his part first, however, if you choose a multifocal, centration of the IOL is key and therefore it would most likely be better to have vitrectomy first, so that would not cause the existing IOL to shift if cataract surgery were done first.
Greetings. I have a question about Rezoom (or other IOLs for that matter). My Mom has been seeing a specialist for what has been diagnosed as mild Glaucoma. So she has been using eyedrops (xalatan)to manage her IOP. The specialist is someone that I have not heard too many complementary things about, but so far so good. Today, my Mom says that her specialist is recommending ReZoom for her. Um, correct me if I am wrong. Rezoom is indicated for cataracts patients, is it not? aren't there other imlants that are designed to deal with IOP? Not to sound sacastic or untrusting, but now that Rezoom is more or less reimbursed by Medicare (read that somewhere) would the specialist be looking at my Moms as yet another way to bill for a procedure. Oh, that does sound sarcastic. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Eagle Eyes. Thanks for your input, but, my Mom does not have Cateracts. She is 75 years old. Does not have a problem wearing glasses. Tell me again why she should spend $3,000 for IOL implants. And will it HELP in controlling her glaucoma (the real issue here).
I have read must of the postings and I am a bit confused. I have cataracts in my right eye and I am researching which type of lens to go with. I have read about the Restor and ReZoom, but I haven't seen any comments on the Crystalens. From what I have read so far I am leaning towards the ReZoom lens, but would like a little more information on the Crystalens before I make this major decision.
If your Mom's dr recommended ReZoom then he is planning to do cataract surgery most likely in conjunction with glaucoma surgery. You are right though, if she has no motivation to be out of glasses, then a standard IOL should be fine. If she drives at night, you might consider Tecnis. It is a standard IOL that does not cost her anymore out of pocket but increases her contrast for nighttime driving.
Found this forum while searching for ReZoom lens info. I had a ReZoom lens installed 8 weeks ago and am sorry I spent the $2500 over and aove what Medicare will cover for the standerd lens surgery. My DR. insisted ReZoom would be the altimate way to go since I wanted up-close vision without magnifiers. Not so as of today. I still need my glasses for up-clse work. He says one morning I will wake up and VOILA. I say he's full of ****...Comments
slotman-It depends on whether or not he hit his target refraction. If he ended up a little plus, than you are right, Based on that information, if he does the second eye and shoots for a little minus based on the information off the first eye, then you are going to be happy. 8 weeks can also be early for some patients to adapt and he could be right as near can take a little longer to come in. Do you need the second eye done as well? If near does not come in, then have a Restor in the second eye for near. Eye surgery today is so fast and painless that many tend to forget they had major surgery on an organ and it takes time to heal from corneal to retinal swelling etc. Once things settle down than things tend to get better. I would also ask about astigmatism as that can be a cause of poor near vision. Ask some more questions and give it some more time. Also, when you have the second eye donw, things can come together for you. Give us some more information.
Thank you for the responce. It gave me a some new hope. Here are some facts I did not mention. Astigmatism was corrected in the eye the ReZoom lens was put in. The other eye (right eye) is not bad (cataract)enough to require a replacement lens but the DR. feels the ReZoom will start working if he puts a ReStor in the right. I'm a hard head and and pretty much implied to him that I'm not putting another $2500 in his pocket until there's some indication the ReZoom is going to work. I'm 71 and never won anything at gambling and it's stuck in my mind that it's a gamble. I have an appointment in June for a check up and thats where it stands at this time. What is your opinion of having a standard lens for up close vision put in the right eye? Medicare would cover all of this procedure. The ReZoom is working OK for distance. Again "eyecu", thanks for your input. It great to communicate with people like you. Slotman608
At 71, you might still take some time to adapt to near. Sounds like he knows what he is doing. If by June your near does not kick in, than the Restor will take care of it and you should have the best of both worlds.
See my post (below).
My question is how are you progressing after the second eye?
Here is my post:
I am 49 with cataracts and need to be able to see best at computer distance for work. I am leaning towards the ReZoom iol to be inserted into my non-dominant right eye first(-6.5 no astigmatism). My left (dominant-8.25 no astigmatism)eye has a cataract but is not necessarily ready for surgery yet.
I am looking for someone who has the ReZoom lense to give me feedback on the overall results including distance, intermediate, close up, night vision, and low light close up reading (as in a menu).
Thanks
see for yourself at the surgeon finders at www.acrysofrestor.com and www.visioninfocus.com. Also, Wall Street seems to like the restore maker (Alcon) better than rezoom's (AMO). The word is that rezoom has more distance vision than it's predessesor array, not better reading, so restor is the runaway favorite. Since AMO was dumped by high-flyer Allergan a couple of years ago, they have yet to impress investors with their product pipeline or profitability. I smell a shill in some of these postings.
You know quite a bit about the industry, it seems. Is it true that AMO is coming out with a diffractive multifocal such as the Restor? If true, why is the Rezoom better? It just looks like a perpetual game of keeping up with the joneses, and one-upmanship. Thanks.
I am 43 and have been recently diagnosed with a cataract in my right eye, and the beginnings of one in my left. I am 7 years post LASIK. I was extremely myopic prior to LASIK (-9.75L, -11.0R), but fortunately have enjoyed near 20/20 vision for all but about the last 4 months.
I have consulted the doctor who performed my LASIK and he recommends the second generation ReZoom lens - says his cataract patients (including post-LASIK cataract patients) have had excellent results with it. A local surgeon - who has much less post-LASIK experience - recommends the Crystalens (sp?), but readily admits that he doesn't use anything else.
My questions are:
1. Because I am post-LASIK, what factors should I consider when choosing a surgeon? In other words, is post-LASIK experience a must, or can an otherwise competent and experienced cataract surgeon achieve the same results?
2. Should I go with the monofocal Crystalens, or is the ReZoom lens the better choice for me?
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated and considered. Thank you.
Why is ReZoom better you ask? I say because ReZoom recipients are happier with ALL distances of vision Great distance, intermediate and near. Over 90% do not wear glasses for any distance. ReSTOR patients have better near vision because it is stronger and they hold closer. Distance vision is definitely not better, and usually worse than ReZoom distance vision. Intermediate is the reason why ReSTOR doctors are switching to ReZoom. I listen to my patients and friends to form my beliefs. How about you?
I strongly agree with eyecu becuase it is very important to have your old records/chart from before and immediately after LASIK. These numbers are crucial to select the correct implant power when you do have your surgery. Your surgeon already has your chart and knows your eyes. Sounds like he knows his stuff. Best of Luck!
About 15 years ago, Alcon bought the IOL division of 3M for the ReSTOR diffractive lens technology.
Alcon added an apodized (reduced step heights and widths) the diffractive center on the most popular implant platform in the world to create the ReSTOR lens. They then sold the rights to diffractive technology.
What about ReZoom? Well, you have to look at Array first. AMO used data from the Array, a silicone 5 zone multifocal, and combined it with the data for their very first acrylic lens, Sensar, to gain easy approval from the FDA without doing clinical trials. The FDA submission shows the only difference between Array and Array2(now known as Rezoom)is that they enlarged one distance ring and put it on an acrylic optic. The $150 Array is now discontinued and Array2 (rezoom) is now availble to hospitals for $895. They added a square edge to be more like the leader, AcrySof.
So with Rezoom, you have a 3-piece contraption more distant-dominant than it's predecessor, filters only UV light, and has a name similar to the market leader. Sounds only slightly better than a monofocal IOL.
ReSTOR is an elegant one-piece design built on the cadillac of IOL's, and filters both UV and harmful blue light. The "lifestyle" considerations are AMO's desperate attempt to get a piece of the pie that they lost. They are also hoping to compete more effectively in 2007 when their Tecnis diffractive IOL comes to market(see who keeps copying who?). It should be better than Rezoom, but not better than Restor, because it is not apodized, and it will have glaring rings all the way out on the optic. That's what Alcon avoided in the 3M design for the last 15 years. The bottom line is the sweet spot for patient satisfaction is greater with ReSTOR, by far.
Well for someone in the financial end of business you sure claim to know alot of info about the technical side of the business. It seems that you may not have done a thorough job of your research. To me, you are causing alot of confusion to people on this website who are confused enough as is and are coming here for help. Eyesight is a precious and nobody wants to come here and walk away thinking they made a mistake by not having a ReSTOR after reading your biased, unfounded opinions.
For the record, as a nurse, as someone who works on the medical/surgical side of the eye business, and who sleeps well at night knowing that I try hard to make a better difference for people everyday.....
Alcon is owed by Nestle, yes the chocolate people so they have deep pockets/lots of money and that means tons of marketing. Everyone is the business world knows that marketing the same message over and over is successful even if it is not truthful.
True Alcon does not sell silicone lenses, AMO sells both silicone and acrylic, each has it's place. Imagine that, a comany that offers choices for it's customers! It is not the Alcon Acrysof square edge that lowers PCO (posterior capsule opacification -or wax paper like membrane after a period of time after cataract surgery) It is the square edge. This has nothing to do with the material but the design. AMO has it the square posterior edge on both silicone and acrylic lenses. The Array did not have the square edge, the ReZoom does. The Array was designed before the science was done to proof that the square edge lowers PCO. You are incorrect again with your comments about the difference in Array and ReZoom. There are 5 rings and 3 of the 5 are changed, not one. It is not called Array 2. The only people htat call ReZoom Array2 are Alcon people. There was an Array 2 briefly in Europe but not in the US. A 3 piece lens is ideal because there may be a compromise during any given surgery whereby the surgeon needs to put the lens in the sulcus instead of the bag. You absolutely cannot and should not do this with the one piece and definitely not the ReSTOR. Interestingly enough, Alcon now has the ReSTOR available on the 3 piece as well as the one piece. Again, imagine that. As for the harmful blue light, where is the science there? And what does that do to contrast sensitivity especially on a diffractive optic where contrast is already an issue? As for the Tecnis Multifocal, it is doing very well in Europe competing with ReSTOR. All of the new lenses Crystalens, ReSTOR, and ReZoom have their sweet spot. I hope that all of the people on this website coming for answers back me up and see you are trying to push ReSTOR and bash ReZoom. Shame on you.
AMO had 100% marketshare of foldable IOL's until Alcon launched Acrysof. Now AMO has about 25% and has scrambled to get in the acrylic business. That's not a choice, it is survival. They also had 100% of the multifocal marketshare, until Alcon entered it. AMO will be lucky to keep 25% of the multifocal business-that's why they are urging to use it 50% of the time. Since you are on the professional side, you mark my words: Rezoom will be sold at a lower price soon. Do your patients a favor and and either get on the Restor train, or get run over by it.
you sure got me there. If the $213M lawsuit sticks, it just might be the saving grace for your employer. Yeah, your company.
I guess we flushed out an AMO person masquerading as a healthcare professional. I thought your responses were a bit too brand-specific and on-message for an unbiased patrician. But when you changed the subject from lens implants to phaco lawsuits, you showed your true company patriotism. Good insight on the product pipeline, too. Are you in sales or marketing, eyecu?
Go get Rezooms implanted, and take eagle eyes with you. Then you can contaminate forums like this. You messed up a great thing about the internet.
For those truly interested in the best chance of spectacle freedom, don't fall for the story of high percentage of "never or occassionally" wear glasses. Hell, before my cataract surgery I was never or occassionally wearing glasses. I have attached the product insert for Rezoom, where the "never" wearing glasses number is 41%. That means 59% of you will still be called 4-eyes, occassionally.
My Restor insert says 80% of the FDA study patients "never" wore glasses again. And that's me.
Let's see 41% chance or 80% chance? No contest.
http://www.amo-inc.com/download/ReZoom.pdf
I am not flushed out, just been working with patients, happy patients with more ReZoom than ReSTOR lately, and not online. You are incorrect again with your fuzzy math. We still have package inserts of the Array as well as ReZoom in our practice. The package insert for the Array (which is no longer available as most 1st generation products when something better comes along), came out in 1997 did show 41% of patients went without glasses. The ReZoom numbers without glasse are 93% for distance, 93% for intermediate, 82% near. I think you are confusing the ReZoom package insert numbers. Read it. The ReZoom package insert is Array data, so that is where the 41$ is coming from. I stick with my last comments that ReSTOR and ReZoom are both great products, but nothing is perfect. I am thrilled that you are able to enjoy your life with your ReSTOR vision. Yes, I repeat, 9/10 ReZoom recipients do not wear glasses for anything, have better distance vision than our ReSTOR recipients, have better intermediate, computer vision than our ReSTOR patients.
It is normal to worry about the halos. Most people that have halos (not all do) describe them as noticeable at first, not really bothersome. After a period of time (from few days, to few weeks, worst case scenario few months) brain learns to suppress/ignore them, so you don't even notice anymore. You are making the right choice. Let us know how you do.
I am going to see my cataract specialist on this coming tuesday.
its the right eye that is to be done first, in the mean time i have a retinal surgeon doing a vitrectomy to remove severe case of eye floaters in the left eye. All this began with the floaters had a vitrectomy done last may then the cataract set in which they told me would happen. Now after the right eye has been done its the left eye next/ vitrectomy but then it will take some time for cataract to form in left eye. Then another lense implant will be necessary. This is a real long haul but i hope it will turn out real good so i can once again see clearly
I'm wondering if i should have the vitrectomy done on my second eye before having the lense implant done on my right eye. my concern is whether the implant will turn out successfull. Or should i wait to see how the implant goes and then do the vitrectomy on the left ye to remove those awfull floaters. Other then the floaters driving me nuts i have 20/20 vision on the left eye.
If you have more than 0.75D or 1.00 Diopter of corneal astigmatism post op, you will not read well with a multifocal (ReZoom / ReSTOR) or accommodative (crystalens) IOL. It is pretty easy for the surgeon to correct the astigmatism with either LRIs (limbal relaxing incisions) a little incision in the cornea to relax the astigmatism )go from football shape to basketball shape) or do LASIK enhancement to accomplish the same thing (flatten the steep axis or go from football to basketball shaped cornea)
As far as having vitrectomy before cataract surgery, ask your surgeon and your retinal specialist which to do first. It is important to note that it is easier for either surgeon to do his part first, however, if you choose a multifocal, centration of the IOL is key and therefore it would most likely be better to have vitrectomy first, so that would not cause the existing IOL to shift if cataract surgery were done first.
Good Luck! LEt us know how you do.
Thanks in advance.