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ReStore Implant

What are general side effects of ReStore Inplant?
Are they correctable?


This discussion is related to Crystalens vs. Restor Lens IOL implants.
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
from disappointed66

My first surgeon said that the Restor could not be replaced.  This forum helped me find  answers and that it could be done.  I went to a different surgeon. As I said in my previous posts,  I did have the exchange.  Everything went well.  Everyone is different. There could be complications.   I just felt the longer I waited the more difficult it might be to replace.  I am glad you did not have the laser done. I did not want to wait to see if it would clear up, it might have, but what if it didn't. then all that time has been wasted. One of my friends  went for the "both eyes have to be done"  to get the results and had  them both exchanges  All I know is I wanted that Restor out!  You have to do what you feel comfortable with.  We are all in the same boat and just try to help each other with a decision, but that decision is up to you. I wouldn't rely on hypnosis. Good luck, Braz.
.Disappointed 66 (no more)
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Avatar universal
Well, I decided not to have the membrane laser thing for now.  They are going to charge an extra $850 for that & I have a $3000 deductible.  They did give me those Alphagen drops to make my pupils dilate.  The third day that I used them, my right eye started hurting.  It hurt all day, so I quit using them & called the doctor.  The assistant said try putting in the drops for dry eyes before the Alphagen drops and then after too.  I did that.  The first day was okay, but the second day my right eye started hurting again, so I quit again.  Besides all that, it didn't make any difference in the glare & star bursts.  So, I'm not for putting something in my eye that causes pain that's not even working.  Now I don't know what to try.  She says the doctor doesn't like to exchange lenses because it's too risky, more risky than the original surgery.  I guess I will just hope my brain adjusts or shell out for the membrane laser surgery.  I have wondered if hypnosis would help.  Have not heard anyone say anything about that.
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Avatar universal
After I had the first eye done the surgeon said I  needed the other one done to get the resluts. No way were they going to touch my other eye. And I did not want anything(lag, laser) else done to improve the Restor eye, which was otherwise healthy. I am not sure about your insurance, but mine did pay.  I guess it depends on the reason the doctor puts down if you want an exchange, like he thinks it is necessary( for your sanity)! (There are also risks with an exchange like everything else) And believe me not being able to drive is necessary! You would have to check your insurance. My doctor did this for me  I also check myself. .The choice is also up to you as to what you want.  I told my doctor that I would gladlly go back to progressive glasses, but I needed to see good driving at night.  As I told you before, all I need are readers and it is worth it for me.  As far as the drops go, I am not familiar with this.  I am not an eye care professional, Don't know much about that.  This business of 5% is a lot of bull!  5% of millions is a lot.!  Also, my first eye MD lied to me and told me nothing about what  else I could have done.  He said slight halos at night and I probably would need readers for small. print. He made it sound like the Restor was the only way to go. They make a lot of money on these lenses.  Well. I have better results with the monofocal , no night light blindness and I just need the readers. I do not need glasses for anything but reading small print.  Check a little more before you make your decision.   Also, how about a second opinion. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the reply.  They keep telling me the night driving will get better---that they know someone who it took three months, etc, etc.  Well, it's been three months for me & no better.  You really mean your insurance paid for another surgery just because you didn't like the Restor?  I had to pay $5000. above what my insurance paid to get the Restor instead of the regular lens that the insurance will pay for.  Sure seems a shame to have wasted all that money.  Have you ever heard of anyone using drops to constrict their pupils at night so they could drive?  He says he will give me some if this cutting the membrane thing doesn't do the trick.  See, you get between a rock & a hard place when making these decisions.  They really don't give you enough time between eyes to see how the first one's going to do.  So, you go ahead & trust them & then, whamo, you're stuck with two of them with starbursts.  Guess I will wait & see before making any decisions, because my eyesight is really good now, especially reading & watching  t.v.  
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Avatar universal
Hi, I had the Restor implanted end of July  2009. The night driving was a horror.  I saw starbursts, halos and/ or glare a on every light source especially the on coming traffic.  I was going to have a nervous breakdown. I did not want further "work" done on an otherwise healthy eye.  Had the Restor explanted and exchanged for a Tenics Aspheric monofocal set for distance in August (different surgeon) and have since had the other eye done.  My vision is excellent.  Terrific for night driving.  (this is an advantage of the Tecnis lens) I just need readers for small print.  I did not have to pay for the exchange.  It was covered by my insuance. You probably won't get your money back for the first surgery unless there  was an error.  If you click on my name, it will bring you to a lot of posts regarding this issue.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Yes, that was an interesting site with the halos, starbursts, etc.  Mine are definitely starbursts.  It's not just the cars either.  It's also the street lights.  The doctor said when he cuts the membrane, if I still can't drive at night, he will give me drops to constrict my pupils.  I wonder how that will work.  I guess we'll see.  I'm very interested in knowing  if these people who have had their Restors taken out have had to pay for a whole new surgery, or how does that work?  I can't see them doing  it for free, since they did say there might be side effects like this.  Of course, they did say on this site that only 5% have severe halos.  I am one of those.  Darn!  I do love my vision though.
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Avatar universal
I thought you might like to play with the simulators on the below website.  It will help you define what the issue is... and explain to the docs.... glare/halo/starburst.  It's kind of cool!

http://www.visionsimulations.com/index.php

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Avatar universal
Thanks for answering my post.  I'm glad your Restor was so successful.  I guess I am one of the unlucky 5% who has the glare.  I don't know if you call it glare or halos, but I call them star bursts.  I had halos before the surgery due to my cataracts, but I could still drive at night, although it was a little tricky.  Now, it is so tricky that I don't do it.  I don't know what this membrane surgery is really.  The first I heard about it was the other day when I went in for the doctor to check my eyes.  I don't know if this is the same thing as the astigmatism laser surgery or something different, but I'll find out before I have it done.  I don't want my lenses exchanged either.  I love them, other than the terrible glare at night.  It's so nice to be able to read again without glasses.  Well, hopefully, you will continue to have success with yours and won't need anything else.  Thanks for the advice.  I think I will get another opinion
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Avatar universal
Hi jbrazell,
I lucked out with the glare.  Didn't have any.  I have a little night time haloing, that makes distant car lights look like fuzzballs but it clears as they get close.  Not even an issue, and my night vision is better than when I had glasses.  How are your halos?  If they are not bad, and it's just glare, it could be the capsule thing.  If I had that issue, I think I would get a second, and even third opinion before I did anything.  I love my implants, but that is the most I'd prefer to have done to my eyes as far as messing with the sturctures.  I'm greatful I didn't need lasik "tweaking" afterward.  I've only had them since January, so I guess there's a chance my capsules can cloud yet too.  If it happens and my vision decreases, I'll need to get the laser zap myself... But I at that point I'd know it wasn't my lenses, so I know I wouldn't be wanting a lens exchange afterward.  I hope I don't need to cross that bridge though.  

I would get at least one other opinion on your glare.  If they mess with the capsule, and you still have problems, I don't know if you can do a lens exchange after it.
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Avatar universal
I have had the Restor lenses about three months now.  I can't drive at night at all, the glare is so bad.  The doctor is going to do some kind of laser treatment where he cuts the membrane that is holding my lens in.  He thinks this might help the glare.  If not, will I have to pay for a whole new surgery to get him to change the lenses & what lens do you recommend.?  I love my reading vision & watching t.v. is good too.  My distance is good enough to pass a driving test without glasses.  I wouldn't even consider changing if it weren't for the glare.  I feel handicapped not being able to drive at night.  Have you ever heard of cutting the membrane thing?
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284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some possible side effects include glare or halos especially at night, difficulty to see well to drive at night, waxy or slighly blurred distance vision.  If you truly have an unwanted side effect like this - it is most likely related to the design itself of the lens but could also be due to  leftover refractive myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism or posterior capsule opacity.  If correcting the refractive error or yag capsulotomy doesn't help then there may not be much left to do to help the symptoms.
MJK MD

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