Cataracts affect almost everyone, sooner or later.  The natural crystalline lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein.  Sometime in a person’s 60s, 70s or 80s, some of the protein will clump together, causing the eye’s natural lens to become discolored and clouded.  This clouding of the natural lens is called a cataract.  When this occurs, light rays passing through the eye become scattered and unfocused.  The result is that all objects, whether near or far, become blurry.  If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness, although this is very uncommon in the United States.  

When a cataract is removed, your surgeon will implant a tiny lens replacement into your eye where your cataract was removed.  These implants have a vision prescription in them much like a pair of glasses.  Typically the lens implant corrects for distance vision only, leaving you to need reading glasses.  Now there are implants that can correct for distance, intermediate, and near vision.    

All lens implants are not created equal.  Unlike conventional single-vision (monofocal) lens implants, state-of-the-art ReZoom^TM lenses have been specially designed with multifocal zones that provide good vision across the spectrum of varying distances and light conditions.  So you can see well anywhere and anytime, be it near, far or in between.  Patients no longer have to settle for monofocal lenses that only provide good distance vision with limited ability to see objects that are near without glasses.  The ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens is a clear, foldable implant made of a high-refractive-index acrylic material.  This new technology multifocal lens is designed to provide a full range of vision - near, distance and intermediate - after cataract treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rezoom^TM  Multifocal Lens And The Procedure 

Q: Will I still need to wear glasses if my surgeon recommends a ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens? 

A: The results will vary depending upon your vision, lifestyle and the anatomy of your eyes.  Most people find that they need glasses to read small type or drive at night.  Most people, however, can go to the store or conduct many of their day’s activities without depending on glasses.  In a clinical study, 92% of those who received the technology in ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lenses “never” or only “occasionally” needed to wear glasses. 

Q: How does the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens replace the cataract?

A: The natural lens inside the eye is gently removed through a tiny incision in the periphery of your eye’s cornea.  The cataract-impaired lens is then removed through this incision and the lens implant is inserted in its place to permanently replace it.  The procedure usually takes about 15 to 45 minutes and vision is usually improved immediately. 

Q: How long after surgery until I see my best? 

A: Like most procedures, this depends upon the overall health of your eye.  For most people, vision is noticeably better immediately and continues to improve during the first few weeks after the procedure.  

Q: Are there any risks of having the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens procedure?

A: As with any surgical procedure there are risks.  The biggest risk with any cataract procedure is infection.  Fewer than 1% of patients having a lens implant procedure ever get an infection and most are treated successfully with medications.  Infections, however, can cause a severe or total loss of vision, risk with any cataract procedure is vision. 

Dr. Sharon Richens at the Richens Eye Center is a ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens Certified Physician.  For additional information or if you have been told that  you have a cataract and would like to schedule an appointment to determine if the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens  is a good option for you, please call Richens Eye Center at 435-652-4040 or toll free 888-556-2020.  Information provided by Valerie Parkinson Surgical Coordinator at Richens Eye Center.  Some information used is from www.rezoomiol.com  

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