changes in Alcon-Restor Lenses

[Normandie]

I would like to know if there have been good improvements made with the Restor Lens made by Alcon.  I have read  a lot of testimonials about the Restor Lens, but they mostly dated back to 2006 to 2009.  Is there any information that is more current?

Is it true that the improved Restor can give you good distance & near, but intemediate vision can be blurry?

Thanks for the info.

Normandie

[Normandie]

Hi Dr. Oyakawa,

Thanks for your reply to my inquiry of March 24th.  In the interim, I called Alcon and found out that the Restor Model #SN6AD1, which I have, came out in 2008 and there were no changes made to this lens since that date.

I believe I have a experienced surgeon now and he says we can still explant the Restor and implant a Nanoflex, which is what is now in my right eye.  I will need readers, but if I get good, clear, crisp vision, distant  & intermediate, I think I can live with that.

I have a lot of hesitancy keeping the Restor because once I do Yag, then to get better distance with PRK, I will lose what little near vision I now have, so what am I gaining?  I saw inquiries on MedHelp where the Yag/Prk doesn't always help.  Also, I understand that 1/2 diopter off may not be so crucial in a monofocal lens, but in a premiums lens it can be more problematic.
Further, if I can do without PRK, wouldn't this be a smart move, since I already have posterior vitreous separation in both eyes & lasered retinal tear in the right eye?  I have plenty of floaters due to the PVS.  I feel the less I do to my eyes in terms of additional treatments, the better.  If only the lens had not been 1/2 diopter off, we would probably not be having this discussion right now.

My thoughts are that with the same lens in both eyes, (Nanoflex), I will have better adjusted eyesight even if I do need to wear reading glasses.  I have heard many good reports about the Nanoflex monofocal lens, and since I already have one, I feel this might be the right decision.

Can I have your opinion on my thoughts?  Thanks for all your advice.

Normandie

[Normandie]

I thought I did find a good surgeon, listed 2nd best eye clinic in the country.  My Restor lens is off by 1/2 diopter.  It seems to fluctuate between 20/30 & 20/40.  If I correct the distance vision, I will probably jeopardize the near vision, which right is not perfect, but I can see print in good lighting, although letters appear to have a ghost image, or you can refer to it as smeared.  I need a Yag, but really hesitate to do this, and really hesitate to do PRK if that is needed.  I think this eye is a little dry and if PRK is done, I feel it will be dryer yet.  I am fearful of what the outcome might be. Maybe good clarity is not possible.  I was told I could still explant and go with a monofocal lens in both eyes, maybe mini mono-vision, or just wear reading glasses.  If any adjustments to this eye creates better vision in one of the three distances, but you have to give up somewhere else, the cost of going this route was insane - $3100 per eye, especially when I could end up wearing glasses all the time any way.  

I have posterior vitreous separation in both eyes, plus a lasered retinal tear in the right eye, all due to the same accident many years ago, add to this the cataracts.  Perhaps I should not have had a Restor lens implant as the premiums lenses probably work  better with a healthy eye that has no other problems other than cataracts.

Please share your expert opinion with me.

Normandie

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The intermediate vision with the new Restor seems to be better. I have less complaints. The success of all of the presbyopia correcting IOLs depend on patient selection, preop evaluation, surgery and post op f/u.  Find an experienced surgeon.

Dr. O.