Laser Surgery - ReZoom™ Intraocular Lenses
Austin, Texas

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are ways of treating presbyopia (middle aged vision) and cataracts. These two different eye problems both involve the eye’s lens, which is suspended behind the iris (colored part).

The lens helps to focus light on the retina to give us clear vision at all distances. It is completely transparent to allow light through. Controlled by tiny muscles, it changes its curvature each time we switch focus from near to far or intermediate objects.
Cataracts make the lens cloudy and progressively reduce vision until severe visual impairment occurs if there is no intervention.
In presbyopia the lens is losing its flexibility so that it becomes unable to steepen itself enough to give clear close-up vision, and reading glasses become necessary.

Replacing the Natural Lens

There is no way to remove cataracts from a lens, nor is there any way to restore flexibility to a presbyopic lens. Therefore, the solution in both cases is to replace the entire lens with an artificial one.

How Does the ReZoom IOL Work?

The ReZoom IOL has five concentric zones built into it. Each zone is designed to give clear vision from a particular distance and in certain lighting conditions. Together, they provide total clear vision and enable a person to discard glasses or at least use them much less often.

ReZoom IOLs are similar to ReSTOR® IOLs but use a different technology called Balanced View Optics™. The manufacturer is Advanced Medical Optics (AMO).

The IOL Procedure

It is a short outpatient procedure, something less than two hours counting preparation and some post-operative monitoring. The procedure itself takes about ten minutes. You will have local or topical anesthetic and a mild sedative.

Dr. Howerton or Dr. Berkowitz will make a very small incision on the side of the cornea and use an ultrasound probe to disintegrate the cataract or presbyopic lens. It is then easily removed with mild suction. This technique is called Phacoemulsification.

The IOL is then inserted through the same incision, into the same membrane pocket where the natural lens was. It is folded when inserted and unfolds after it is in position. On each side it has tiny arms (haptics) that hold it in the correct position. In most cases stitches are not needed.

You can read more about the procedure on our Lens Replacement Surgery page.

Recovery

Some people return to normal activities the next day or day after. There will be some follow-up visits to check on your progress. There is no delay in vision improvement, and you will be seeing bright and clear as soon as the following morning.

If you would like to have a complimentary consultation about laser surgery including ReZoom™ and learn more about the ReZoom IOL, please call or email The Howerton Eye Clinic in Austin, Texas.