What’s New in Ophthalmology

Alcon announced the immediate availability of  their expanded range of  Acysof  T6 through T9   Astigmatism correcting Intra ocular lens  implants.  This means we can now correct a broad range of  Astigmatism with the lens we put in the eye at the time of cataract surgery allowing more patients to be eyeglass free after surgery!  We have been using the lower power Acrysof  Toric lenses T3-T5 with great success.  Patients with higher astigmatism needed additional surgery to fully correct vision, now most patients  can be done with the lens alone.  Patients with even higher astigmatism that could not be fully corrected at all can now be corrected with additional surgery. These new lenses correct from 2.57  to 4.11 diopters of astigmatism. You can learn more about this lens here  http://www.reclaimyourvision.com/acrysof-iq-toric-iols.aspx.

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If you are wanting better reading vision theAlcon Acrysof Restor lens has to be a great choice for your Cataract or Clear lens replacement surgery; soon the astigmatism correcting feature of the Acrysof  toric Intraocular lenses will be combined with this lens for patients with astigmatism!  Alcon just announced these lenses outside the USA, after FDA approval they will be available here. Learn more here http://www.restortoric.com/.

On the Focusing lens front (We call these Accommodating Intraocular lenses): Lenstec’s Tetraflex is an intraocular lens implant (IOL) that is used for cataract surgery.   The Tetraflex IOL accomodates to give a range of vision.  The Tetraflex is not yet FDA approved in the United States, but is currently in use in Europe.  Lenstec will also introduce Tetraflex HD after FDA approval.  Lenstec’s Softec HD is a precision monofocal lens that is already FDA approved for single focus lens replacement.  The expected advantage of the Tetraflex and Tetraflex HD over the Softec HD is a wider range of sharp vision without glasses or contact lenses for distance, computer, and reading activities.  The lens works by flexing within the eye when patients attempt to read. Dr Titone uses the SoftecHD lens by Lenstec its clarity of vision reported by patients is impressive, we are looking forward in offering the TetraflexHD to our patients when it becomes FDA approved.

Tetraflex reviews have been favorable by surgeons and patients.  Tetraflex lens in the news  Click this link to an article by a U.S. surgeon who has implanted Tetraflex as part of the FDA trials.

See the TV news story about patient who had Tetraflex IOL in Miami during U.S. FDA trials.

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The Acysof Toric, Acrysof Restor and Tetraflex costs are usually partially covered under medical insurance, there are added out-of-pocket costs compared to standard lenses. If you are seeking the best vision you can have after cataract or clear lens surgery you should consider one of the Advanced Technology lenses, speak to Dr Titone about your options or ask questions on the blog.

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