OPHTHALMOLOGY

Q:I am interested in being less dependent on glasses after cataract surgery. Are there any new developments in intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery?

A:Intraocular (IOL) lens technology and design is continually evolving to improve visual outcomes, increase patient satisfaction with vision, and to achieve independence from glasses after cataract surgery. One of the latest IOL developments that I have incorporated into my practice is the Vivity multifocal lens by Alcon. The Vivity IOL is an advanced non-diffractive, extended depth of focus IOL. This new IOL provides high-quality distance vision, improved intermediate vision, and functional near vision utilizing proneed prietary X-Wave technology.

While traditional multifocal refractive IOLs split light entering the eye into multiple zones of vision to produce an elongated zone of vision, the non-diffractive design of the Vivity IOL instead stretches and shifts the light to provide a continuous range of focus with minimal halos and glare. This principle of stretching light rather than splitting it creates an extended depth-of-focus area on the retina helping you to see well at various distances. The Vivity IOL is available in a Toric model for astigmatism correction and features UV and blue light absorbing filtering. Most patients who choose the Vivity IOL achieve excellent visual acuity with vision that is sharper for distance and intermediate needs in both bright and dim lighting. Reading glasses may still be needed for some up-close activities.

The Vivity IOL has a high satisfaction rating. Over 90% of the patients who have chosen this IOL indicate that they would recommend this lens to friends or family for their cataract surgery. Additionally, the non-diffractive design of this IOL has a broader application to include patients who might not otherwise be candidates for multifocal lenses. Thus far, ophthalmologists are reporting that they have used Vivity with success in patients with mild glaucoma as well as patients with some mild macular disorders.

Cataract surgery is a once-in-alifetime opportunity to improve your vision and change the way you see your world. Choosing the right IOL involves evaluating your visual and lifestyle needs. Talk with your eye doctor about all the options for your cataract surgery including IOL choice and advanced surgery techniques. Depending on your lifestyle and your eye health, a Vivity IOL may be the right option for you. Cataract surgery today, one of the safest and most often performed procedures in the United States, combined with the right IOL, can help you see the world more clearly than ever before.

Gregory Eippert, MD 8140 Norton Parkway Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-1115 www.opivision.com