Information & Consumer Review for Lens Implants
Harvard Eye Associates — Southern California's Most Experienced Lens Implant Surgeons

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TECNIS, CrystaLens, ReSTOR and Toric Lens Implants

Lens Implants for Seeing at All Distances:

New eye surgery lens implants the TECNIS, Crystalens and ReSTOR lenses, can now provide both reading and distance vision without glasses for people undergoing cataract or refractive lens implant surgery. For 50 years, eye surgeons have used lens implants to replace the eye's internal focusing lens, but until recently every lens implant acted simply like a fixed-focus lens.

Three new lens implants have been FDA-approved recently for correction of both distance and reading vision. Each of these implants works slightly differently, and not all implants are right for all patients. This page is designed to help people interested in these new-technology lens implants to understand the similarities and differences between them. Our eye surgeons have extensive experience implanting all of the lenses described here and are take pride in helping each patient make an unbiased, informed decision on an implant that will provide a lifetime of clear vision. To schedule a consultation and find out whether TECNIS, Crystalens or ReSTOR is right for you: Schedule Your Appointment Now.

Comparison Chart of TECNIS, Crystalens, and ReSTOR Lens Implants*

		TECNIS	Crystalens	ReSTOR
Focusing Mechanism		Light focuses through diffractive rings providing a distinct near and distant focus.	Implant moves back and forth (autofocus), powered by your eye muscles.	Light focuses through a unique "apodized" lens shape, giving far and near focusing.
Distance vision (road signs, TV captions)		+++	+++	+++
Arm's length vision at 2-3 feet (computer screen)		++	+++	++
Near Vision at 1-2 feet		+++	++	+++
Clarity for driving at night		+++	+++	++
		TECNIS	Crystalens	ReSTOR
How quickly will I have clear vision for...	Far away	Immediate.	Immediate.	Immediate.
	Mid-range (2-3 feet)	Slowly improves over several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.
	Up-close (1-2 feet)	Immediate.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Immediate.
		TECNIS	Crystalens	ReSTOR
Advantages		Excellent results for distance and near.	True accommodating lens. Theoretically best clarity of vision.	Best for fine print.  Results are immediate.
Disadvantages		May get mild haloes when driving at night. 10% of Patients may need glasses.	Some "learning curve" in retraining muscles to focus. May need glasses for reading	May get mild haloes when driving at night. May need glasses for arms lenth vision (e.g., computer)
		TECNIS	Crystalens	ReSTOR
Ideal Candidate		People who desire less dependence on glasses. 90% of Tecnis patients use NO glasses at all!	Active people who may not mind glasses for very fine print. People who need clear vision for driving at night.	People who drive minimally at night or are not bothered by glare. People who spend a great deal of time reading and do not mind wearing glasses for computer use.

AMO TECNIS — The Newest Generation of Advanced Multifocal Lenses

The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is based on the aspheric optic design of the Tecnis IOL (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.), which was engineered to reduce the spherical aberration of an average cornea (which enhances clarity). Based on a principle of diffraction the Tecnis Multifocal IOL features diffractive rings on its posterior surface. The rings start very close to the optic�s center and then continue out toward the periphery. As a result, the multifocal effect�s are not affected by pupil size or lighting conditions. Even in dim light, distance and near vision is quite good. The lens provides patients with excellent near and distance vision, each of which is distinct. Most patients also report good intermediate or arms' length vision as well. Immediately after surgery, some patients may notice haloes around lights when driving at night. However, as the eye adjusts to the lens, the visual impression of rings may lessen and usually goes away over time.

Eyeonics Crystalens — Far, Near, and Everything In-Between

The Crystalens implant (made by Eyeonics, Inc.) can give reading vision (within 1-2 feet), arm's length (2-3 feet), and distance vision without glasses because this implant actually adjusts its position within the eye as the eye looks from far to near subjects, much like an 'auto focus' mechanism on a camera. The Crystalens is powered by the same ciliary body muscles that move and focus the eye's own natural lens. Its unique, hinged shape allows for this lens movement and gives a seamless transition from far to arm's length to near vision. Most people with the Crystalens have clear far vision (driving, television) and intermediate vision (arm's length, computer screen) without any glasses. About 95% of people can also read newsprint without glasses. Some people do need glasses for fine print, especially in dim light. Of the three lenses, the Crystalens is most likely to provide the best vision for driving at night. CLICK HERE for MORE on the CRYSTALENS.

Alcon ReSTOR — The Space-Age Bifocal

Like TECNIS, the ReSTOR lens is a non-moving lens implant. It too can give distance and near vision simultaneously. Rather than having three separate focusing zones like TECNIS, however, the ReSTOR lens focuses vision using an "apodized" surface. This high-tech manufacturing process gives the lens a gradual blending of focusing power throughout the entire lens surface. With the ReSTOR lens, 97% of people can see both distance objects (road signs) and near objects (reading material within 1-2 feet) without difficulty, especially in good light. Arms length vision (the computer screen, for example) at 2-3 feet is less clear, and most people will need glasses for these kinds of tasks. In dim light, the lens is designed to give better distance vision. However, 5% of people with ReSTOR do notice significant haloes or glare around lights at night.

Lens Implants for Clarity after Cataract Surgery:

Alcon AcrySof Toric — Addressing Astigmatism

Traditionally, surgeons implant a monofocal or standard intraocular lens (IOL) when having cataract surgery. If you have astigmatism, you may still experience blurred and distorted vision because a standard IOL cannot correct corneal astigmatism. To achieve quality distance vision with a standard IOL, you may still require eyeglasses, contact lenses, or further surgery.

If you have a desire to have little or no dependence on eyeglasses for distance vision, then a Toric lens would be better for you. The unique design of the AcrySof® Toric lens provides significantly improved distance vision and may reduce the need for corrective lenses.

Although a Toric lens is great for giving patients good distance vision, for reading, we still recommend one the premium lenses listed above.

Which Lens Implant Is Best For You? 

Lens implants are meant to last a lifetime. Fortunately, most people will be very happy with whatever lens implant choice they make. The Crystalens, TECNIS, and ReSTOR lenses have all been rigorously tested by the US FDA before being approved for use. For most people, any of the three will provide excellent results. To arrange a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss specific recommendations for you, please contact us.

Choose Harvard Eye Associates

Our eye doctors have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience with nearly 50,000 lens implants of almost every type ever made. Harvard Eye Associates' surgeons were among the first in the world to use soft, folding lens implants for small incision cataract surgery in the 1980s and continue to break new ground being among the first surgeons in the country to be authorized to use the lenses described above.

Over the years we have conducted numerous FDA research studies on new implant technologies, and we continue to perform studies on existing and upcoming technologies. Our doctors have authored dozens of scientific publications, serve on scientific advisory boards for a number of healthcare technology companies, and are reviewers for major vision science journals.

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*Individual results may vary considerably from patient to patient. Rare but significant surgical complications can occur with any lens implant, despite stated information. This document is intended only as a broad review of the general concepts involved in making a decision between lenses. It is beyond the scope or intent of this web page to provide an exhaustive review of lens implant technology or a prediction of what any individual patient may experience. Consult with your doctor for more information.