Choosing Multifocal Lens Implants

Question: I am scheduled for cataract surgery and lens implants. Overall my surgical counselor did a good "job" explaining procedure as well as additional costs that will occur IF I would decide to "go" with the ReZoom™ Is there any place to go to see/read first hand accounts (+ and -) from others who have opted for ReZoom™? I would love to NOT have to wear glasses but in that I am a basketball referee I do not want vision not as clear as need be for this activity. I realize that "normal" cataract surgery would give me clearer long range vision but would require reading glasses for "normal" reading activity. Are the possible halos around lights etc. with the ReZoom™ Lens that much of a problem etc.? Obviously nighttime driving is a must during the b-ball season. Thanks for any help/suggestions you may have.

Answer: Multifocal Lens Implants are extremely complex optical designs-all of which have some visual limitations and potential for optical side effects. Each design produces differing degrees of symptoms such as decreased contract, the potential for night vision disturbances, compromised close vision-intermediate vision or distance vision If one REALLY has a lifestyle that would be more comfortable and convenient being LESS dependent-NOT necessarily independent of glasses after Cataract Surgery, them Multifocal Lens Implants can be an excellent choice. Let's stress LESS DEPENDENT, as regardless of what the manufacturer's data, literature and marketing hype suggest, it would be an unrealistic expectation to select a Multifocal Lens Implant if you were only going to be satisfied if you were totally "glasses free." Again, contrary to the manufacturer's hype and with all due respect to the surgical counselors involved, the ReZoom™ Lens is notorious for causing significant night driving problems, glare and halo and in many instances will also produce less than useable near vision. It has all but been replaced by the manufacturer AMO, and in clinical practice by a newer generation Multifocal Lens called the Tecnis® Multifocal Lens which to date seems far superior to its predecessor from AMO, the ReZoom™ Lens. To satisfy your own curiosity, simply go to Google. Then search "halo problem with ReZoom", "night driving problems with ReZoom", etc.-and you can read for yourself. Each patient will get a differing result and many of these lenses are dependent on pupil size and pupil anatomy as well as the exact placement of the lens which requires perfect centration. Thus, selecting the BEST Multifocal Lens Implant requires careful examination, consultation and discussion as it is quite individual and should NOT depend on what the Cataract Surgeon "offers" but is the best physical, anatomical and optical choice for the individual patient. There is NOTHING wrong with seeking a second, or even third opinion regarding the choice of a Multifocal Lens Implant-AND, even then it is the skill of the Cataract Surgeon that ultimately delivers the lens performance.

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