Cataracts & Astigmatism? Quality Distance Vision in Just One Step
What would it be like to say goodbye to both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time? Imagine being able to see and enjoy quality distance vision without relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses. You are reading this brochure with the only two eyes you will ever have. For that reason, vision correction decisions are among the most important you will ever make. Now, revolutionary new technology makes it possible for the surgeon to perform a single outpatient procedure in which the clouded cataract lens is exchanged for an artificial lens designed to correct astigmatism as well. You may be able to break free from eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision in just one step, without the need for additional surgical procedures.
What is a cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens, located behind the iris, works just like the lens of a camera focusing light images on the retina, which sends images to the brain. The human lens can become clouded, preventing light and images from reaching the retina. Normal vision Vision with cataracts (simulated) 70% of all people over the age of 75 develop cataracts. A cataract can be the reason vision becomes blurred, bright colours become dull, or seeing at night is more difficult. It may also be why the reading glasses or bifocals that used to help you read or do other simple tasks no longer seem to help. The best way to treat a cataract is with surgery that removes the old, clouded lens and replaces it with a new artificial one. What exactly is cataract surgery? Medical advancements have made cataract surgery the safest and most successful procedure performed today. For most patients, cataract surgery is a safe, same day outpatient procedure with little discomfort, and uses a local anesthetic.
The operation itself entails making a tiny opening in the eye. Through this opening, the surgeon uses an instrument about the size of a pen tip, removing the cataract from the eye. Once the cataract is removed, an artificial lens is inserted through the same tiny opening in the eye and set in place. What can I expect following cataract surgery? Most patients typically return home the very same day as cataract surgery. Eye drops may be prescribed to guard against infection and help your eye heal. For a few days, you may need to wear an eye patch for protection. Everyone heals differently, but most patients see well enough to return to most of their routine activities within a few days of recovery. What is an IOL? An intraocular lens (IOL) is the replacement lens that is surgically inserted in the eye to *Actual Size replace the existing clouded lens during cataract surgery. The good news is that you have encountered cataracts at a time when IOL technology has taken great leaps of progress. Historically, the only replacement lens used for cataract surgery was a monofocal IOL. This type of lens restored good functional distance vision, but people still needed to continue wearing glasses.
How the Eye Sees When the surface of an eye s cornea is round, light rays passing through it bend toward its center and focus on one spot. Astigmatism 35% of people have astigmatism* Sometimes, the surface of the cornea is oval rather than round. When the surface of the cornea is oval, vision becomes distorted. This common condition, called corneal astigmatism, causes blurred or distorted vision because light rays are not focused at one spot to provide clear vision. A person who has both a cataract and a corneal astigmatism will not regain high-quality distance vision after surgery unless the astigmatism is also corrected. * Ferrer-Blasco T, Montés-Micó R, Peixoto-de-Matos Sc, González-Méijome JM, Cerviño A. Prevalence of corneal astigmatism before cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009; 35: 70-75
Correcting your astigmatism If freedom from eyeglasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. The unique design of the AcrySof IQ Toric lens provides significantly improved distance vision and may reduce the need for corrective lenses. Why choose the AcrySof IQ Toric lens? The AcrySof IQ Toric lens is a foldable, single-piece lens that an eye surgeon implants during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof IQ Toric IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. AcrySof IQ Toric lens provides high quality distance vision, with less dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses. The AcrySof IQ Toric lens is made of the same lens material already successfully implanted in more than 50 million eyes since 1991.
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To get the big picture, get the details first. Important questions to ask your eye doctor: 1. Can you explain cataract surgery and how long it takes? 2. I ve heard about the toric lens. Can you explain how it is different from a basic cataract lens? 3. After cataract surgery with a toric lens, will I still need glasses? 4. Is the AcrySof IQ Toric lens right for me? Ask your eye doctor if the AcrySof IQ Toric lens is right for you.
NOTES
If you have a cataract and astigmatism, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for the AcrySof IQ Toric IOL that may allow you to enjoy quality distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. INDICATIONS: AcrySof IQ Toric Intraocular lenses are intended for primary implantation in the capsular bag of the eye for the visual correction of aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism secondary to the removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with or without presbyopia, who desire improved uncorrected distance vision, reduction of residual refractive cylinder and increased spectacle independence for distance vision. WARNINGS: You, as the patient, should consult your eye care provider for full disclosure of risk and benefits of cataract surgery and lens choices. PRECAUTIONS: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved including visual disturbances and secondary surgical intervention. The effect on vision of the AcrySof Natural IOL in subjects with hereditary color vision defects and acquired color vision defects secondary to ocular disease (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, chronic uveitis, and other retinal or optic nerve diseases) has not been studied.
2011 Novartis 10/11 SU111278