Latest News. Milestone achieved with 500th ReSTOR multifocal implant.

Dr Peter Ring, a leading cataract and refractive surgeon at Eye Institute, inserted his 500th ReSTOR multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) recently. This is an acrylic lens made by Alcon which provides pseudo accommodative vision using apodised diffractive and refractive technology to give patients a full range of quality vision - near, intermediate and distance - without glasses. These types of advanced technology IOLs are the fastest growing IOL segment of cataract surgery.

The recipient, Helen Smith who is in her 50’s and hyperopic, was interested in the options available to her that would give her spectacle independence.

Dr Ring has been using the ReSTOR since the end of 2004 as he believes this is the best lens on the market today that will give patients a lifestyle that can deliver true performance at all distances without the need for glasses.

The secret to success, he believes, is selecting the correct patient and this requires extra chair time by both the surgeon and the ophthalmic technician. Helen, initially, had been in discussion with Jasha Morarji, Dr Ring’s cataract/refractive technician and vision correction educator, and then had an information pack sent to her. An examination followed this and then Helen was given all the options available leaving her to make an informed decision.

“Now days,” said Dr Ring, “there are number of options available for people seeking spectacle independence. They may not be aware of all the choices available to them so they have to be carefully informed and allowed to make their own choice. It has to be the right choice for the patient long term.”

Helen had several reasons why she wanted this type of surgery.

“I wouldn’t have to wear glasses for everyday life, things such as washing my face, putting make-up on and being able to read without looking for glasses all the time.”

Another important factor was that she would be able to wear fashion sunglasses of her choice postoperatively. She had tried contact lenses without success and found that glasses fell off the end of her nose when gardening.

Helen said the time she spent with Jasha was important to her making the decision to go ahead.

“It was very informative and she explained everything so brilliantly I found her to be open and answered my questions that may have appeared quite trivial.”

She also felt she had chosen the right surgeon for the procedure.

“Dr Ring was thorough, clear, precise, down to earth and I could relate to him,” said Helen.

Post-operatively, Helen said the surgery ‘was a breeze’ and the team was fantastic. The day after the procedure her vision was half a line from normal at 6/7.5 and a normal N5 for near. When she went to use her face cream that morning she was thrilled at being able to read the label without her reading glasses.

In San Francisco for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeon’s meeting recently Dr Ring noted that today the ReSTOR lens is the most popular multifocal lens in the USA. The addition of the +3.0 add gives a slightly longer intermediate distance for tasks such as computer work but from the first ReSTOR patients, they have never had intermediate problems such as reading the speedometer in their car.

Haloes have always been touted as a contraindication to multifocal lenses, and indeed with some brands this is so, but Dr Ring says that in 500 ReSTOR patients this has never been an issue. Neuroadaptation - adjustment of the patient’s brain to the implant – accounts for this and the fact that their vision tends to improve with time - particularly their near vision.

Dr Ring was among the first surgeons to start using this lens and is one of the highest users of ReSTOR lenses in Australasia. In January of this year at the Asia ARVO conference, in Hyderabad, he won an award for the best scientific paper which was presented on ReSTOR lenses.

These ReSTOR multifocal lenses are an ideal option for the presbyopic hyperopic patient and also for many cataract patients, but their careful selection cannot be understated and this may mean going beyond the normal call of duty.

“We make it our business to offer what is the best choice for each individual – the highest it is possible for him or her to achieve visually for the long term,” said Dr Ring.

The last word from Jasha, who has actually had ReSTOR implants herself by Dr Ring such is her belief - “our commitment and enthusiasm, our patients and our optometrist colleagues’ enthusiasm has helped us lift things a little higher, a little farther. It has inspired Dr Ring and I to move forward with actions bringing rewarding achievement of life without glasses for many of our patients.”