Betűméret változtatása: Kicsi  Közepes  Nagy
Szürkehályog lencseAlcon® AcrySof® ReSTOR® műlencse
Az eredmények optimalizálása

Frequently Asked Questions

About the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL

Here are some of the most common questions that eye care professionals have about the new AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens. Please contact your Alcon Surgical Account Manager for additional information about how this breakthrough IOL can benefit your patients.

Visit the patient FAQ section for answers to common questions from patients.

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is designed to provide vision similar to the pre-presbyopic human lens. It works by using apodized diffractive and refractive technologies to provide a full range of vision.

back to top

What is apodization?
Apodization is a gradual reduction or blending of the diffractive step heights. This unique technology optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina because it distributes the appropriate amount of light to near and distant focal points, regardless of the lighting situation. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL's apodized diffractive optic is designed to improve image quality while reducing visual disturbances.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL provide for near vision?
Light rays from a near object diverge as they enter the eye. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the central apodized diffractive region and +4.0 D correction to focus a clear image on the retina.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL provide for distance vision?
Light rays from a distant object are parallel as they enter the eye. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses both the central apodized diffractive and peripheral refractive regions of the optic to focus the distance image on the retina.

back to top

How does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL perform for intermediate vision?
Clinical study results demonstrate that patients have good intermediate vision for daily tasks, such as applying make-up, shaving, reading labels on a shelf and viewing a computer monitor. 85% of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients achieved functional uncorrected intermediate vision of 20/40. At this level, patients can read the normal type in a newspaper, and are able to pass the vision test for a driver's license in most states.

back to top

What were the results of contrast sensitivity studies?
Studies on the contrast sensitivity of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL indicated that at lower spatial frequencies, there was no clinically or functionally significant difference between AcrySof® ReSTOR® and monofocal control subjects. Other studies indicate that these lower spatial frequencies are most important in terms of vision related to everyday life skills, such as walking, driving and reading.1

back to top

How does pupil size affect near and distance vision?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL effectively restores near and distance vision, regardless of pupil size. In bright light, with constricted pupils, the lens sends light energy simultaneously to both near and distant focal points. In low light with dilated pupils, the apodized diffractive lens sends a greater amount of energy to distance vision to minimize visual disturbances.

back to top

Does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL work well for night vision?
In dim or dark lighting conditions, patients with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL may experience glare or halos, although the majority report the incidence to be easily tolerated. This is due to a patented² technology, called apodization. However, surgeons are cautioned against implanting the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL in professional drivers or for patients who have lifelong complaints about nighttime glare.

back to top

Are there visual disturbances associated with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL features a technology called apodization, which is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of visual disturbances. Apodization is the gradual reduction in step heights of the diffractive elements of the lens. While some patients may still experience visual disturbances, their occurrence is greatly reduced due to the absence of sharp junctions or large steps in the apodized diffractive lens.

back to top

Are there studies on AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL performance?
Yes. The clinical study demonstrates that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL has the ability to substantially restore a cataract patient's ability to see both near and distant objects, without the aid of reading glasses or bifocals. 80% of these patients did not need their reading glasses or bifocals following bilateral implantation. Additionally, it was shown that nearly 94% of the study subjects would have the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted again.

back to top

Is the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL safe?
Yes. The FDA has determined that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is both safe and effective. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the same biomechanical/biomaterial platform as the AcrySof® Single-Piece Platform, which – as of August 2005 – has been safely used in over 23 million human eyes. Studies on the original monofocal AcrySof® Multipiece lenses have demonstrated a high level of material biocompatibility within the eye.3

back to top

Are there any adverse effects with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?
The incidence of cumulative adverse events for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL compared favorably to the FDA historical grid rates. A single occurrence of pupillary block exceeded the FDA grid rate. No occurrences of persistent adverse events were observed in any patients implanted with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL.

back to top

Are biometric techniques for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL different from those of monofocal lenses?
There is nothing different or unusual about the biometry for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL compared to the techniques used for any other available AcrySof® lenses. As with any IOL, accurate biometry is essential for the overall success of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. It is important to target emmetropia, and to personalize the A-constant for all IOLs.

back to top

Is implantation of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL lens different than implantation of any other IOL in the AcrySof® family of lenses?
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is implanted using the same technique as the AcrySof® Single-Piece IOL.

back to top

What is the A-constant for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL?

  • The A-constant for the SA60D3 model is 118.1

Refer to the product specifications for additional details.

back to top

Does the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL use the same materials and technology as the AcrySof® platform?
Yes. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses the same biomechanical/biomaterial platform as the AcrySof® Single-Piece Platform, which – as of August 2005 – has been safely used in over 23 million human eyes.

back to top

Is the procedure covered by Medicare or other medical insurance?
Partially. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified its payment rules to present Medicare beneficiaries with the choice to receive presbyopia-correcting IOLs, such as the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. Under the new policy, Medicare will continue existing reimbursement amounts for cataract surgery, and patients may elect to pay additional charges for advanced technology lenses such as the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL.

For more details about reimbursement for the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, please reference the CMS reimbursement release.

back to top

Which patients are best suited for implantation?
Proper patient selection is a key factor in ensuring successful outcomes with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. Age, degree of general alertness, ocular pathology, and functional and occupational requirements must all be taken into account. Certain subjective characteristics, such as realistic expectations and the desire to be free of glasses, must also be considered.

back to top

Are there studies on patient satisfaction?
Yes. The clinical studies demonstrate that the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL not only offers a high level of spectacle freedom, but also carries a remarkably high patient satisfaction rate. In fact, nearly 94% of study subjects said they would have the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL implanted again. More information may be found in the clinical studies section of this Web site.

back to top

Can the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL be implanted in the second eye if the patient already has a monofocal lens in the other eye?
Previous implantation is an important medical concern to patient selection. Please refer to the patient selection criteria discussed in this Web site.

back to top

What must a physician do to gain access to the lens?
Prior to implanting the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, physicians must complete the following three steps:
  1. Submit to PreVize, Inc. the refractive outcomes for 30 different patients, who each received one of the following AcrySof® Single-piece lenses: SN60WF, SN60AT, SA60AT, and SA30AT. The outcomes that are submitted should all be for the same lens model.

    PreVize requires the following information for evaluation of one-month post-op refractive outcomes for 30 different patients:
    • Patient ID, Gender, DOB
    • Preop UCVA, BCVA
    • Preop Manifest Refraction
    • IOL Model and Power
    • Target Refraction
    • Post-op UCVA, BCVA
    • Post-op Manifest Refraction
  2. Attend an AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL training program, such as the CME Apodized Diffractive Lenses Course. Additional courses are being scheduled, and details regarding those courses will be available in the near future.
  3. Execute the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL agreement, which indicates that you will not knowingly provide AcrySof® ReSTOR® lenses to surgeons that have not completed steps one and two.

Upon completion of these items, you may begin ordering AcrySof® ReSTOR® lenses for use in your practice by calling Alcon Customer Service at 1-800-TO-ALCON (1-800-862-5266).

back to top

What does the training entail?
This training program will cover the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL technology, optical principles, how AcrySof® ReSTOR® differs from the competition, patient selection, keys for success and reimbursement. Alcon is providing the training free-of-charge. However, physicians will be required to pay all of their travel related expenses. After attending the training program, physicians should be able to:
  • Understand and describe apodized diffractive IOL technology
  • Discuss clinical trials for new application of the technology
  • Develop a patient selection system that will allow for better patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction
  • Develop strategies for incorporating refractive IOLs into their practice

back to top

How will Alcon assist in practice marketing?
If you have attended one of the training programs, you will have access to the online AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL Practice Marketing Wizard. You can access the Wizard by clicking at the link at the top right of this page, or by accessing the link at http://my.alcon.com/portal/restor. Additional items are being explored, and will include brochures, ad templates, press release templates, and office materials. Speak with your local Alcon surgical account manager regarding the full complement of offerings.

back to top

  1. Data on file, Alcon.
  2. U.S. Patent No. 5,699,142
  3. Oshika, T., et al. "Adhesion of lens capsule to intraocular lenses of PMMA, silicone, and acrylic foldable materials: an experimental study." Br J Ophthalmol, May 1998; 82 (5):468.