As with all vision correcting treatments it is never possible to offer a guarantee of achieving the desired position and patients must be aware that there is a very small risk of complications t hat could reduce the level of vision.

Examples of different types of lens implants that can be selected on a personalised basis are set out below.

Bifocal / Multifocal Presbyopia correcting implants

 

Acrilisa Bifocal:    ^{http://zeiss.acritec.eu/Bifocal-Optic.47.0.html?&L=1}      

^{This is an excellent bifocal lens implant. I find this implant useful when attempting to create good near vision without reading glasses in people who have quite demanding near vision tasks, I have found it to be especially useful in people with unusually small pupils where some multifocal lens implants may disappoint.}

 ^{Physical Properties : Hydrophilic Acrylic, Optic Size 6.0mm, Total size 11.0mm,  Aspheric Optics,  cartridge injectable, near add +3.75.}

 ^{Summary : Good for demanding near vision and In cases of small pupils}

 

Acrilisa TORIC Bifocal:    ^{http://zeiss.acritec.eu/Bifocal-Optic.47.0.html?&L=1}      

^{This lens implant works in the same way as the Acrilisa Bifocal lens implant but the ‘TORIC” format allows for astigmatism control. Although most patients will have some degree of expected astigmatism after lens implant surgery - this can often be lessened or eliminated by the appropriate surgical techniques. However where the level of astigmatism is high this TORIC bifocal is a major breakthrough. I have used this lens implant to correct high levels of astigmatism simultaneously providing excellent bifocal vision.}

^{Physical Properties : Hydrophilic Acrylic, Optic Size 6.0mm, Total size 11.0mm, Aspheric  optics, cartridge injectable, Bitoric optics, near add +3.75.}

^{Summary : An excellent lens for correcting high levels of  astigmatism whilst simultaneously providing distance and close vision without glasses.}

Lentis M Plus:  ^{http://www.topcon-medical.eu/pm_uk.html?pmProductId=175} 

^{This revolutionary new lens, looks a little more like a bifocal lens in that the near viewing portion of the lens is placed on the lower side of the implant. In magnified images of this lens it does have the look of bifocal spectacles. However the optical principle is a little more complex than that and this implant produces true bifocal vision without the patient having to “move” their eyes about - you look and its just there ! I implanted the very first Lentis M plus lens implant in Yorkshire in November 2009 (read case study - jane o callaghan and ascario pagliario). My experience with this implant has been highly positive with virtually all patients treated with this implant experiencing excellent distance and close vision without glasses. One added benefit of this bifocal implant is the somewhat lower incidence of nighttime glare and haloes around headlights as compared to some bifocal implants. Im also pleasantly surprised to see some patients gaining useful middle distance vision too. Middle distance refers to VDU work, mobile phone usage  etc. It has recently become avialable in a lower power reading add of +1.50 which may be better suited to avid computer users who prefer to work at a further near working distance of around 60cm.}

 ^{Physical Properties : Hydrosmart polymer Acrylic, Optic Size 6.0mm, Total size 12.0mm,  Cartridge injectable, near add +3.00 & +1.50add}

 ^{Summary : Good for demanding near vision and In cases of small pupils. Possibly fewer  unwanted optical side effects that often affect other bifocal implants.}

Restor Lens:  

 

^{This bifocal  implant is made from the long established Acrysof material. It comes in  two close vision power strengths - a +4.00 add that is good for close vision reading type activities and a +3.00 add that is more efficient at providing good vision slightly further out - when arms are at mid stretch - this lower power add in fact is proving useful for all round general near vision work.
 Physical Properties : Acrysof hydrophobic Acrylic, Optic Size 6.0mm, Total size 12.0mm, Cartridge  injectable, near add +4.00 and +3.00.}

 ^{Summary : Good lens for general close vision activities with some usefulness for VDU/ computer range near work.}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aberration Correcting Single Focus Lens implants

 

The implants below are specifically designed to help control "spherical aberration" - the fourth dimension of vision correction, when used as part of a customised approach in cataract / refractive lens exchange surgery.

^{What is Spherical Aberration and Why is it Important ?}

^{Glasses and contact lenses can only correct what we term lower order aberrations - that comprise defocus - this can be minus (short sight) , plus (long sight) or astigmatism. If you wear glasses they will be correcting only these "lower order aberrations" Just try taking your distance glasses off this gives a good idea for you personally what lower order aberrations do!} 

^{The most common and the most important 'higher order visual aberration" - one that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses is termed spherical aberration. This causes a general decline in sharpness of vision. Spherical aberration is lowest in most people at age 19 years and tends to decline thereafter. That is why most people enjoy their best vision (with glasses/contacts as required) at around that age. By taking into account spherical aberration when it comes to cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange surgery for vision correction we can attempt to restore the kind of sharp visual quality that we enjoyed in our youth. Studies have also shown that low levels of spherical aberration can improve dim light visual performance and can make a significant positive impact on driving vision especially when in poor light or foggy conditions.}

 

^{Tecnis ZCB00:  http://www.amo-inc.com/products/cataract/monofocal-iols/tecnis-1-piece-iol}  

^{This is a monofocal, beautifully engineered lens. Its raison d'etre is that it is designed to counteract the “positive spherical corneal aberrations” that exist in the majority of people. The Tecnis ZCB00 is designed to provide the same type of “negative spherical aberration” as the human lens at age 19 years. This lens has been proven to improve “contrast sensitivity” - this is the ability to be able to discriminate objects in dim light and has shown a positive effect with respect to stopping distances in simulated driving tests.}

^{Physical Properties : Negative spherical aberration of -0.27um Made from Hydrophobic Acrylic,  Optic size 6.0mm Overall size 12.5mm,  Cartridge injectable.}

 ^{Summary : An excellent, injectable, monofocal lens implant that adds a further dimension to  customised cataract surgery and lens replacement for vision correction. I think this lens has special  relevance to people who have previously had Laser vision correction for short sight and for  those who have positive corneal spherical aberrations on custom testing.}

 

^{Acrysof SA60-IQ:  http://www.uk.alcon.com/surgical/cataract.asp}  

^{This is a monofocal implant made from the celebrated Acrysof material that has a long established safety and biocompatibility record. The special feature of this implant is that the optical portion of the implant is designed to produce zero spherical aberration. This implant is one that I often use in patients who dont have notable spherical aberrations on custom testing so that we help to maintain a sharp visual system.
 Physical Properties : Zero spherical aberration. Made from Hydrophobic Acrylic (Acrysof tm),  Optic size 6.0mm Overall size 12.5mm,  Cartridge injectable.
 
Summary : An excellent, injectable, monofocal lens implant that provides further flexibility to  customised cataract surgery and lens replacement for vision correction. I think this lens has special  relevance to people who have little or no pre-existing spherical aberrations on custom testing.}
 

 

Astigmatism Correcting Single Focus Lens implant

At present I generally use this lens implant whether in monofocal or bifocal format for the correction of astigmatism.

 

^{Acricomfort Toric Monofocal Implant:    http://zeiss.acritec.eu/index.php?id=45&L=1}    

^{This lens is part of the Acritec family of lens implants.  I call upon this implant on a regular basis for the correction of high predicted astigmatism in cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery. The lens is monofocal - ie corrects for distance sight and has proven itself well in my practice. It offers safety and predictability of insertion via a cartridge device and has shown excellent rotational stability. In addition it can be inserted through a very small incision to help minimise the induction of further astigmatism.}

 ^{Physical Properties : Hydrophilic Acrylic, Bitoric optic configuration  Optic Size 6.0mm, Total size  11.0mm,  Aspheric optics,  cartridge injectable}

 ^{Summary : An excellent astigmatism correcting, monofocal lens implant with proven  rotational  stability which is important in this type of custom lens}

 

 

The Refractive Package : Where needed, Inclusive Laser vision enhancement

Bifocal / multifocal lens implants are the most exacting types of lens implant. They work best with a "zero" requirement for distance glasses. This is achievable in the vast majority of patients undergoing this type of refractive lens exchange, in my practice. If however we find that there is a small optical requirement to help get vision to the highest standard I will normally recommend Laser vision enhancement to "fine-tune" the focusing power of the eye with either LASIK or LASEK. This is an absolutely integral part of the service in my practice. Patients opting for refractive lens exchange in my practice  will be afforded this added service entirely without further charge. In general however less than 10% of patients typically require laser vision enhancement in my practice.

 

If you are considering the benefits of refractive lens exchange and especially if you are considering the wonderful benefits of bifocal / multifocal lens implants - please ensure that;

• your surgeon and your centre can also provide the Laser vision enhancement aftercare service.  
  
• If your surgeon can not provide the Laser corrective procedure - please ask who & where you will you be referred to in the event you do require this service. 
• You clarify whether any further charges would apply to you if you were to require Laser vision enhancement after lens implant treatment.