A new generation of replacement lenses: ReSTOR, Tecnis, and AcrySof Toric

Sometimes, the surface of the cornea is curved more like the surface of a football, with both flat and steep curves. This uneven curvature (astigmatism) distorts vision because light rays are not focused to a single spot on the retina. If you suffer from both astigmatism and cataracts, an implantable Acrysof Toric lens makes it possible to treat the cataract and correct corneal astigmatism at the same time. This lens is implanted during cataract surgery to provide quality distance vision independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Dr. Hollingshead may recommend a toric lens to:

• Reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve distance vision
• Correct for both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time
• Provide the QUALITY distance vision you need

Some toric lenses feature UV and blue light filtering technology that protects the retina.

The revolutionary ReSTOR lifestyle replacement lens provides quality vision in any type of lighting by working with the eye’s pupil to allocate light for optimal vision at near, intermediate, and far distances. The result? Very good intermediate vision and excellent vision at near and far distances. In fact, 80% of these patients reported never needing glasses following implantation in both eyes.

The design of the Tecnis lifestyle lens directs light in different ways, depending on different zones in the lens. This design makes it possible for many patients to function comfortably without glasses at near, intermediate, and far distances. Patients reported improved vision and reading speeds under both low and bright lighting conditions. Eighty-eight percent of patients receiving the Tecnis lens reported that they no longer required glasses, and 94% of them said that they would choose this lens again.

Does Medicare pay for advanced premium replacement lenses?

Medicare permits cataract patients to select either a standard monofocal lens or advanced technology lifestyle replacement lenses, such as those that correct presbyopia (ReSTOR and Tecnis), or the AcrySof toric lens that corrects astigmatism.

This Medicare regulation allows patients to pay privately for the portion of the charges for the implantation of a lifestyle replacement lens and related technical services that exceeds the benefit for a standard replacement lens.