When advanced in age, wouldn't you wish to be able to see well enough without glasses, not only to see in the distance, when driving, doing sports, watching a movie or a play in the theatre, or watching TV at home? The age of 45 and above is often connected with a visual impairment which is called presbyopia. When they have aged over this virtual boundary, most people have to face the fact that their ability to focus on near objects diminishes. Shortsighted people have to take off their glasses when reading. Then, depending on the diopters, they place the text close to their face and read. At last, in the positive sense of the word, they can use their handicap. However, far-sighted people and those who used to live happily without any glasses are in trouble. They place the text farther and farther from their eyes, up to the length of their arms - and then they have to use a separate pair of glasses for reading. Or multifocal glasses. What if they do not want any glasses?
A solution does exist - the intraocular multifocal implant. It is able to refract rays from different focal distances, allowing vision into the distance, work with computers as well as reading of books and newspapers. However, this particular convenience does not suit every person. In regard to diminished contrast sensitivity during worsened light conditions, taking into account side light phenomena when dazzled by e.g. automobile headlight, this type of intraocular lens is not recommended for professional drivers. Another issue would be implantation in the eyes with astigmatism. Irregular shape of the cornea causes other possible problems in eye functions. For this reason, until recently this implantation was strictly limited by astigmatism over 1.5 diopter. Like in other disciplines, at this point the virtual technical boundaries are shifted, too. A new type of implant has appeared on the market. It is a toric multifocal intraocular lens.
The presbyopia is compensated with the multifocal intraocular lens while the astigmatism is compensated with the toric lens. The combination of both has resulted in a unique implant which means a solution for both types of vision impairment. The implant shows different optical properties in two, perpendicular axes. The implantation is preceded by a sophisticated calculation of the lens parameters. The implant must be perfectly fixed in the eye to avoid unwanted rotation. This is the reason why the development phase was rather long. In addition, the shape of the lens was continuously being improved. This type of implant is quite common nowadays. To be more accurate, in our centre the Acrysof Restor Toric model made by Alcon is applied. It works well, according to the feedback provided by numerous satisfied patients. Currently, the implant, including the surgery, is paid for by the patient in full. In the future, in relation to planned partial payment for super standard medical care, it will also be available for patients with cataracts.