Lifespan of Astigmatism Lens Implants

Question: I had successful right eye, detached retina repair surgery in February 201l. I am now scheduled, 6/2011 for right eye cataract surgery and lens replacement to correct a cataract and astigmatism. I am 63 years old and except for high cholesterol, I am in very good health. How long should the AcrySof® Toric Lens Implant last? Is it the best or close to the best? How much should I expect to pay?

Answer: The AcrySof® Toric Lens Implant is made of the same material as all of the other AcrySof® Intraocular Lens Implants:  A highly biocompatible, flexible acrylic material that lasts for MANY MANY years. It was first FDA approved and made available in the United States in approximately 1994 with some 4 million or so having been implanted. So, there is a long clinical history-greater than 15 years-that suggests the life span is quite long. They are implanted in children and young adults and thus are expected to last a "lifetime" without degradation. It is regarded as an excellent toric lens but with any surgery it is the skill, experience and expertise of the cataract surgeon that determines the result. Fees for astigmatism correcting toric lens implants generally range fro $900-$1500 per eye.

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