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According to the National Eye Institute, more than 20 million Americans have a developing cataract. While cataracts are quite common and can be corrected with safe and effective surgery, many people who have undergone cataract surgery still had to contend with wearing glasses afterwards.
Traditional cataract surgery with standard lens implantation can provide excellent distance vision. However, many patients are still heavily dependent on their glasses for reading and computer use, as these implants are not designed to focus both near and far. In particular, those patients with significant astigmatism (irregular shape of the cornea) are even more dependent on their glasses after cataract surgery, since standard lens implants do not correct for astigmatism.
Over the past year and half, Dr. Chiu has been using the advanced intraocular lenses, the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR and Toric IOL, to bring better vision to his cataract patients at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. Dr. Chiu explained the advantages of these lenses. “The ReSTOR lens has now given us the ability to provide our patients with the ability to see not only far away, but also up close and in-between. Most of my ReSTOR patients are able to drive, read, and use their computers without using glasses. This lens emulates the range of good vision patients may have experienced in their youth.”
For those patients with astigmatism, Dr. Chiu recommends the AcrySof IQ Toric lens implant. “The AcrySof Toric lens is a great product which gives our astigmatic patients excellent distance vision without glasses. Before this lens became available, we were limited to correcting astigmatism using glasses, extra incisions, or laser vision correction,” he said. “Now we have an implant that allows them to enjoy the same clear distance vision without glasses that our patients without astigmatism benefit from.”
While Medicare has approved the use of these lenses and covers a portion of the cost, there is an additional expense which covers the total cost of the lens in addition to the technique involved during the surgery. Dr. Chiu has placed these advanced technology lenses in over 30 patients, many of which are thrilled with the results, regardless of any additional cost to them. Henrietta Bickers from Newton couldn’t be more pleased with the result of her eye surgeries. She had the ReSTOR lens placed in both of her eyes to correct her cataracts. “I had LASIK surgery a number of years ago, and I see now better than after I had the LASIK surgery,” she said. “Now I don’t have to wear glasses at all, except for sunglasses.”
According to the National Eye Institute, more than 20 million Americans have a developing cataract. While cataracts are quite common and can be corrected with safe and effective surgery, many people who have undergone cataract surgery still had to contend with wearing glasses afterwards.
Traditional cataract surgery with standard lens implantation can provide excellent distance vision. However, many patients are still heavily dependent on their glasses for reading and computer use, as these implants are not designed to focus both near and far. In particular, those patients with significant astigmatism (irregular shape of the cornea) are even more dependent on their glasses after cataract surgery, since standard lens implants do not correct for astigmatism.
Over the past year and half, Dr. Chiu has been using the advanced intraocular lenses, the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR and Toric IOL, to bring better vision to his cataract patients at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. Dr. Chiu explained the advantages of these lenses. “The ReSTOR lens has now given us the ability to provide our patients with the ability to see not only far away, but also up close and in-between. Most of my ReSTOR patients are able to drive, read, and use their computers without using glasses. This lens emulates the range of good vision patients may have experienced in their youth.”
For those patients with astigmatism, Dr. Chiu recommends the AcrySof IQ Toric lens implant. “The AcrySof Toric lens is a great product which gives our astigmatic patients excellent distance vision without glasses. Before this lens became available, we were limited to correcting astigmatism using glasses, extra incisions, or laser vision correction,” he said. “Now we have an implant that allows them to enjoy the same clear distance vision without glasses that our patients without astigmatism benefit from.”
While Medicare has approved the use of these lenses and covers a portion of the cost, there is an additional expense which covers the total cost of the lens in addition to the technique involved during the surgery. Dr. Chiu has placed these advanced technology lenses in over 30 patients, many of which are thrilled with the results, regardless of any additional cost to them. Henrietta Bickers from Newton couldn’t be more pleased with the result of her eye surgeries. She had the ReSTOR lens placed in both of her eyes to correct her cataracts. “I had LASIK surgery a number of years ago, and I see now better than after I had the LASIK surgery,” she said. “Now I don’t have to wear glasses at all, except for sunglasses.”
Dr. Chiu also performed cataract surgery for Joan Cahill of Teutopolis, using the ReSTOR lens. While Joan previously had to use reading glasses, she doesn’t need them now. She shared, “My surgery was excellent. Now I only use magnification glasses for the fine needlework and beading I do – I don’t need glasses any other time.” Cahill added, “Dr. Chiu was wonderful and treated me so well – if I had any questions, all I had to do was call and ask him. I also got wonderful care at St. Anthony’s. The nurses who took care of me before and after surgery treated me so well – I couldn’t ask for better,” Cahill said.
Reverend Wayne Abshur of Bessemer, Alabama (previously of Effingham), cannot believe the results of his surgery. He had the Toric lens placed in his right eye due to his astigmatism (he did not have surgery on his left eye, as he has been legally blind in that eye since childhood). Reverend Abshur has worn glasses since he was in the third grade. Now after his surgery, he is seeing 20/20 without them. He only uses reading glasses when reading the Bible and preparing his messages. “It is unbelievable. It is a whole new world to me....All the colors and details I can see now...It’s truly amazing,” he stated. “Having this eye surgery was the best decision. It has changed my life,” he shared.
If you or someone you know are struggling with cataracts and are interested in the ReSTOR or Toric lens implants, please contact your eye care provider to see if you are a candidate for this exciting new technology. For more information, contact Dr. Eric Chiu at Effingham Eye Clinic, SC, at (217) 347-5525 or Tammy Lett, St. Anthony’s Surgical Services manager, at (217) 347-1256.
