ReStor Multifocal Lens Implant
Several multifocal lens implants are now available for use by surgeons in the US. These lenses contain "zones" for distance, intermediate, and near viewing.
 The ReStor Lens |
The
ReStor lens has a design very similar to single-focus lenses. The difference is that the center section of the front optical surface has concentric rings of differing focus as shown in images at right image at right and below. Sharp distance vision is provided by the peripheral portion of the lens (like the upper part of a bifocal lens in a pair of glasses), while sharp near vision is provided by the central portion of the lens (like the reading portion of a bifocal lens). The multiple concentric rings effect a much broader range of focus than a single-focus lens implant, through both
refractive and
diffractive optics. This lens received FDA approval in April '05, after review of 3-year safety and efficacy data in clinical studies (see below).
Optic of the ReStor Lens |
The ReStor lens has undergone incremental design evolution since its FDA approval in 2005. It now incorporates aspheric optics for optimized distance viewing, and night driving clarity; and has a maximum "add" (reading range correction) that is better suited to common near vision tasks.
A Surgeon's Observations after Receiving ReStor Implants Himself
With any combination of a particular product (like a lens implant) and a service (like lens implantation surgery) there is a wide range of information available. Some of the information is accurate, some is inaccurate, and some is anecdotal. The anecdotal category is sometimes the most difficult to evaluate, as one person's experience may not be typical, or representative, of the experience others have. With those caveats, we offer the observations of one eye surgeon who himself received ReStor implants in both eyes. The information presented seems credible but I do not know this surgeon personally.
Restor Clinical Data
Data from clinical trials presented to the US FDA is reviewed below. These studies represent data from patients followed for 3 years after implantation of the ReStor lens. In addition to the data presented below, there were no cases of lens-related complications, and no cases of lens removal for undesirable optical consequences or effects.
Fig. 1: Glasses Use After Surgery: ReStor vs. Control | Percentage of patients wearing eyeglasses after lens implantation. In the ReStor group (orange) 80% never wore glasses after implantation of this lens in both eyes , compared to 5% of patients that had monofocal (traditional or standard) lens implantation. |
| Fig. 2: Near Vision After ReStor Implantation | Breakdown of near vision results in the ReStor group (both eyes having Restor lens implantation) compared to a control group (both eyes having monofocal lens implantation). Near vision acuity scores were significantly better in the ReStor group (orange), compared to the control group (yellow). |
Fig. 3: Distance Vision After ReStor Implantation | Comparison of distance vision in the ReStor group (ReStor lenses in both eyes) compared to control group (monofocal lenses in both eyes). Distance vision scores were comparable in both groups, suggesting that the multifocal lens design of ReStor does not contribute to any decrease in distance vision . |
Dr. David Wallace is a highly skilled lens implant surgeon. He has treated many Los Angeles cataract patients. He has treated many cataract patients, as well as those seeking clear lens replacements.