Extended Range Intraocular Lenses Redefine Cataract Surgery

The holy grail of cataract surgery in the last decade has been to provide our patients with the most natural vision possible with the least need for glasses. This ongoing effort over the last 15 years has culminated with the Symfony Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens (IOL). 
With the tremendous advances in the technology and techniques of cataract surgery over the last 20 years, success rates are at an all-time high exceeding 99 percent. Over two million cataract surgeries were performed in the U.S. alone last year.
The Symfony IOL works by spreading light over an extended range within the eye, allowing a full range of continuous high-quality vision. This is a breakthrough in the field of optics, since other surgically implanted lenses focus at a single distance, usually far. To focus on near objects, reading glasses are usually needed. Patients who choose the TECNIS Symfony® lens are very likely to have little or no need for glasses after surgery.
Previous attempts at providing independence from glasses (multifocal IOLs) produced a low but unacceptable rate of glare and haloes. Multifocal IOLs split the light into two distinct focal points which increased glare and haloes in some individuals and left gaps in the area of clear vision, especially at arm’s length, e.g. computer and tablet viewing, shopping, cooking, etc. Symfony provides a significantly better solution by elongating the focus, which results in an increased depth of field. Clinical studies have shown that this lens provides high-quality vision in day and night conditions with very little halo or glare.
The signature benefit of the Symfony IOL is that it also comes in a toric form allowing patients with astigmatism to have the opportunity to achieve excellent vision at distance and near. Since upwards of one-third of people undergoing cataract surgery have significant astigmatism, they too can take advantage of the full range of continuous high-quality vision.
If you have cataracts, ask us about your options. If surgery is recommended, this new type of intraocular lens may be right for you.
Stephen H. Uretsky, MD of the Coastal Jersey Eye Center is a leading board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in comprehensive eye care. The Coastal Jersey Eye Center has offices in Linwood and Cape May Court House. To make an appointment, call us at (609) 927-3373 in Linwood or (609) 465-7926 in Cape May Court House, or visit us online at www.coastaljerseyeye.com.