What You Should Know About PRELEXSM and Refractive Lensectomy

Those who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK, or who desire treatment for presbyopia (the loss of reading vision often associated with age) now have more treatment options than ever before. PRELEXSM and Refractive Lensectomy are procedures that involve removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant. Technological advancements have made a variety of lens replacement options available.

For these procedures you have the opportunity to choose between a traditional monofocal lens that focuses at either distance or near (but not both), one of a number of multifocal lens implants, or an accommodating lens implant. These new implants will allow you to see up close, in the distance and in between - a range of vision previously achieved only by wearing bifocals or trifocals. As always, a comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation is necessary before determining which lens implant, if any, will be right for you. Our doctors will then help you decide which technology will be the best fit for your eyes and lifestyle.

The procedure for implantation of all lenses is similar to traditional small-incision cataract surgery. Dr. Donald Bennett uses the "no needles, no stitch, no patch" surgery technique, so you are relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. It takes only a few minutes and is performed in an outpatient facility.

Dr. Bennett has performed many thousands of lens implant procedures including PRELEXSM, Refractive Lensectomy and cataracts. This life changing procedure may be right for you! For further information, contact any member of our Vision Correction Team.

Lens Replacement Options

Single Vision Intraocular Lens (IOL)
This type of intraocular lens, also known as a monofocal IOL, provides clear vision at one set focal length at distance or near. The distance lenses can provide excellent vision when driving or going to a ballgame, while the near vision lenses can provide good vision for reading or sewing. Unless one eye is set for distance vision and one set for near (monovision), you will probably need glasses for reading or other close-up activities.

Toric IOL
When a patient has significant astigmatism, a single vision IOL will not give clear vision at any distance. Patients with astigmatism have corneas that are not round, but rather oblong like a football. Toric IOLs have a unique design that offsets the imbalance of the corneal astigmatism. In this way they can significantly improve distance (or near) vision in these patients who otherwise would need glasses after surgery.

ReSTOR^®
The ReSTOR lens uses revolutionary apodized diffractive technology - a series of concentric circular rings which cause light to focus correctly on the retina and allows you to see at distance and near. Clinical studies have shown that 80% of patients did not have to use glasses for any activity after surgery, while only 23% of the control group who received conventional IOLs achieved the same levels of visual acuity.

ReZoom™
The ReZoom™ lens uses Balanced View Optics™ to distribute light over five optical zones. These zones focus light on the retina to provide better vision at distance, intermediate and near. In clinical testing, approximately 92% of patients reported either never or only occasionally wearing glasses for distance, intermediate, and/or near vision tasks.