REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE — ReSTOR® PATIENT INFORMATION

What is a Cataract?
Your eye functions much like a camera. Your natural lens focuses images onto the back of your eye so you can see clearly, much like the lens of a camera focusing images onto film for a clear picture. At birth, your natural lens is clear but will "yellow" over time. However, as you age, the lens may begin to gradually become "cloudy." This condition is called a cataract, and is usually a result of the natural aging process. As the lens becomes cloudier, your vision becomes slowly more blurred.

A cataract can progress until eventually there is a complete loss of vision in your eye. Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. You should consider surgery when cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with your daily activities.

What is the surgical procedure to restore my vision?
Your eye will be measured after you and your eye doctor have decided that you will have your cataract removed. This will determine the proper power of the IOL that will be placed in your eye during surgery.

Your will be given eye drops and perhaps medicines to help you relax when you arrive for surgery. Cataract surgery techniques vary widely. However, the eye is always numbed to make the operation painless. To perform surgery, your doctor will use a microscope  to have a magnified view of your eye. Your lens sites in a bag-like structure called the capsule. The capsule is located just behind the colored part of your eye (iris). A small incision is made in the outer surface of the eye (cornea) to reach and remove the cataract. An IOL is then usually placed into the capsule to replace your lens. The IOL will act in the same way as your natural lens once did to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina), to allow clear vision once again. The surgeon will usually place a shield over your eye after surgery. You will be ready to go home after a short stay in the outpatient recovery area. Plan to have someone else drive you home. Below is a diagram showing the basic parts of the eye with an implanted IOL.

Figure 1: Drawing of Eye with Implanted IOL

Potential Risks
Surgery risks include reactions to medicines and vision changes. Common side effects include redness, scratchiness to the eye and light sensitivity. There is a small chance that your vision could be made worse by the operation, especially if bleeding or infection occurs. These risks are rare and may be outweighed by the potential benefits of restoring your vision.

In addition, you may have some side effects wit the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL. The side effects you experience may be dependent on the health of your eyes. Side effects that you may have include glare, rings around lights, and blurred vision. These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night. These side effects may also make it more difficult for your to complete other tasks in a room with low lighting.

Warnings

1. You may have some visual effects when several images are being focused at the same time. These may include rings or circles around lights at night.
   
   
2. You may have some difficulty in your ability to see an object from a dark background. This may be more noticeable in areas with less light. Therefore, you should take extra care when driving at night.
   
   
3. Your should consider the following points that are unique before implanting the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL:
   
   The front surface of your eye may be irregular in shape (astigmatism) before and after cataract surgery. You may not get the best results if you have more than a small amount (less than or equal to 1 diopter) of astigmatism measured in your eye before surgery or estimated in your eye after cataract surgery.
   
   
4. Contact us immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while using the antibiotic eye drops prescribed: itching, redness, watering of your eye, sensitivity to light.
   
   
5. You should avoid any activity that could harm your eye while you are recovering from surgery.

Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL has not been established in patients with eye conditions, such as an increase in eye pressure (glaucoma) or complications of diabetes in the eye (diabetic retinopathy). The outcome of cataract surgery will depend on the health of your eye before surgery.

The bag-like structure (posterior capsule) that your IOL is placed in may become cloudy after cataract surgery. If this condition develops, it may affect your vision earlier if you are implanted with the ReSTOR® IOL compared to someone implanted with a standard IOL.

As with any surgical procedure, there is risk involved. These risks may include infection, the layer which lines the inside back wall of your eye may become separated from the tissue next to it (retinal detachment), and an increase in eye pressure.

Related Information About Refractive Lens Exchange:

• ReSTOR® Information
• ReSTOR® Patient Information
• ReSTOR® Postoperative Care Instructions
• Refractive Lens Exchange Main Page
• Procedures Available Main Page