A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or corneal refractive surgery such as LASIK. Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only way to achieve clear vision again is through cataract surgery.

Often a cataract will not significantly affect your vision in its early stages, but as it enlarges you may notice any or all of the following:

• Vision may appear blurry or hazy
• Colors may seem faded and less vibrant
• You may notice difficulty seeing due to glare or halos around lights
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• You can develop poor night vision – making it difficult to drive safely at night
• Double vision in one eye
• Reading becomes difficult even while wearing glasses

If you have any of these symptoms, surgery could help.  Your doctor might recommend surgery even if your cataract doesn’t bother you, because if the cataract is large enough to crowd the inside of the eye, it can lead to increasing pressure in the eye.

The PanOptix® lens is a next generation trifocal lens because it was designed to provide clear vision at near, intermediate and far distances without the aid of glasses.

The AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens would provide.

It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN®Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision. Available in spherical and toric designs, PanOptix is built on Alcon’s proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally.

Contact us to see if this exciting new lens for cataract surgery is right for you!