Board-Certified | Corneal Refractive Specialist
Lawrence C. Chao, M.D.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options for Cataract Surgery
The first IOLs were developed in the late 1940's and have become an essential part of routine cataract surgery. Most IOLs are made of flexible materials which allow for them to be folded and injected into the eye through a very small incision. The IOL is intended to last a lifetime.
The perfect intraocular lens has not yet been created but advances in technologies offer patients what previous generations of lenses could not have achieved.
What's a Custom IOL? While monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer a single vision option (e.g. distance vision), Custom IOLs, including accommodative IOLs (e.g. Crystalens lenses) and multifocal IOLs (e.g. ReStor, ReZoom) can lessen your dependence on glasses or contacts by offering fuller range vision (e.g. computer vision or reading vision in addition to distance vision). Toric IOLs (e.g. Acrysof Toric) can correct for astigmatism as well as provide for distance vision.
Considering -> Consult -> Experience CVI -> Results
Whether you are considering cataract eye surgery or refractive lens exchange, the next step is to schedule a consult and meet one-on-one with Dr. Chao to be evaluated on how you are seeing today and discuss how you'd like to see the world after vision correction surgery.
You'll learn about the different intraocular lens (IOLs) options including Crystalens HD, ReStor, and Toric IOLs that can give you near, intermediate, and distance vision while lessening your dependence on glasses and contacts.
Astigmatism-Correcting IOL | Toric IOLAcrysof Toric™ 
Astigmatism is most often caused by the cornea being football-shaped, causing blurring of vision at all distances. Toric lenses are designed to correct for astigmatism. Currently, these lenses are only able to provide clear distance vision and are not able to provide near vision without the use of glasses or contacts.
The AcrySof Toric IOL (Alcon Surgical) has a unique design making it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision.
Presbyopia-Correcting IOL | Accommodative IOL
Accommodative lenses (e.g. Crystalens IOLs) are designed to bend or "flex" in the eye to mimic a focusing action of the human eye. These lenses can reduce or possibly eliminate your dependence on reading glasses, but as with all lenses, limitations do exist.
Crystalens™ Lenses 
Crystalens™ lenses (B&L) are FDA-approved accommodative intraocular lenses, providing excellent distance vision as well as excellent intermediate vision in most cases.
The newest version of accommodating lens designed to further improve near vision, Crystalens HD, is the fourth generation of accommodating lens.
The surface of the Crystalens HD has been shaped to enhance the depth of focus with a proprietary optical modification. The enhanced optic provides an increased depth of focus which is designed to improve near vision without compromising intermediate or distance vision. The HD lens does this without inducing increased undesirable dysphotopsia or night vision symptoms.
Presbyopia-Correcting IOL | Multifocal IOLs
Two FDA approved multifocal lenses are currently in popular use today as a replacement lens after cataract surgery. These can reduce or possibly eliminate your dependence on reading glasses, but as with all lenses, limitations do exist. Slightly more glare and halos at night are amongst the side effects; although these do diminish over time.
Acrysof ReStoR™ 
The ReStoR IOL (Alcon Surgical) has a unique design in providing near vision by utilizing different zones on the lens itself. The technology is called apodized diffractive optics and serves to provide great distance and near vision.
An aspheric version of this lens has been FDA-approved, providing solutions to help offset aberrations or distortions in the eye that can cause vision problems such as reduced night vision and contrast sensitivity.
ReZoom™ 
The ReZoom Multifocal (AMO) intraocular lens has five uniquely proportioned visual zones designed to provide clear vision for different light and focal distances.
Distance-Correcting IOL | Monofocal IOL
Akreos AO™ 
Monofocal lenses such as the Akreos AO™ monofocal IOL provides excellent distance vision, but not reading vision nor mid-range computer vision. Readers or computer glasses are needed for up-close and intermediate tasks after monofocal IOL implantation.
The Bausch and Lomb Akreos AO™ is an advanced acrylic foldable intraocular lens with a unique four arm haptic deign to optimize centration in the eye. With an aspheric design, it greatly diminishes abberations to give optimized distance vision correction.
"Outstanding in every way! Dr. Chao and his entire staff are extremely rofessional. I have no need for glasses. I can read, drive and work on computer with ease." - Diane O, Huntington Beach, CA
Chao Vision Institute specializes in cataract, cornea, LASIK, and refractive vision correction, providing patients with university-level expertise and personalized care. See Dr. Lawrence Chao for a consult or second opinion if you are considering eye surgery, including Crystalens ™, ReStor™, Visian ICL™, and LASIK surgery in Irvine, Orange County, or the Los Angeles , Riverside, and San Diego areas.
Call us at 888.OCEYEMD in our Irvine, Orange County office in the Los Angeles area to make an appointment or get more information.
Cataract surgery| CRYSTALENS | Refractive Lens Exchange | ReSTOR | Toric IOL
Dr. Lawrence C. Chao, MD - Corneal Refractive Subspecialist | Your Focus | Experience CVI
Custom LASIK | Visian ICL | Wavefront Technology | Corneal Care & Surgery
Privacy Policy | LEGAL DISCLAIMER Copyright © 2009 CHAO Vision Institute, Inc., All rights reserved.
Considering Eye Surgery?
If you are considering LASIK, ICLs, cataract, or corneal refractive vision correction eye surgery, make an appointment with Dr. Chao at Chao Vision Institute in Irvine, CA to explore your options for seeing clearly.
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"Because of his reputation of being the best. [How was your experience with Chao Vision Institute?] Fantastic! Great staff too! I can see w/o correction. Colors are true." - Milly D, Newport Beach, CA.
"I feel freed forever from contact lenses and glasses. I feel fortunate for my improved vision which is realized everyday. I enjoy reading more - I'm a happier woman!" - Janet B, Laguna, CA.
"I have utmost confidence in him. Excellent. No eyeglasses." - David S, Orthodontist.
"I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Chao for all eye care. I no longer carry reading glasses, driving glasses, & precription sun glasses."- Marian H, Real Estate Investor.
"Recommended by another doctor - I can now read without glasses and drive without glasses. It is wonderful to be able to see again. I am much more relaxed because I can now see signs when I drive." - Sharon B, Kauai, HI.
"Was told I needed cataract surgery. Wonderful!! Dr. Chao is very efficient, friendly, and shows alot of patience when dealing with laymen. 100% - Thanks to Dr. Chao's caring and friendly attitude." - Eileen Y, Newport Beach, CA
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CHAO VISION INSTITUTE
2500 Alton Pkwy Ste 102
Irvine, CA 92606
949.679.2426
toll fee 1.888.OCEYEMD
Specializing in LASIK, ICLs, Cataract, Cornea, and Refractive Vision Correction Consult, Second Opinions, and Surgery.
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