What are Lifestyle Lenses?

Every individual will experience loss of near vision sometime after the age of 40. This results in the need for reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses in order to see clearly. The medical term for this condition is presbyopia, literally translated as “elder vision”. Presbyopia is caused by a gradual loss of the flexibility of the lens and muscles inside the eye.

Up until now the only option for near vision correction has been monovision, which consists of making one eye slightly nearsighted, and correcting for distance in the other eye. While this is a very satisfactory arrangement for many individuals, many more don’t tolerate, or don’t like monovision. In addition, monovision can only be adjusted for two distances i.e. near and far, or mid-distance and far vision, but never all three.

That’s all changed with the approval of Lifestyle Lenses. These groundbreaking lenses can now give patients the ability to see distance, intermediate, and near vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

We offer two lifestyle lenses – ReSTOR and Tecnis. Each lens uses different technology and each has its own benefits. The individual needs of each patient will be discussed and the best lens will be chosen for that patient.

The Lifestyle Lenses replace the natural aging lens. It is important to understand that while these lenses are new technology, intraocular lenses are not new. They have been used for over 30 years, and lens implant surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States.

How soon can I resume my normal activities?

You can return quickly to many everyday activities, but your vision may be blurry. The healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract. In general, you can do most activities as soon as you feel able.

What can I expect the day of the procedure?

At Eye Surgery Center of Louisiana, drops will be put into your eye to dilate the pupil. The area around your eye will be washed and cleansed.

The operation usually lasts six or seven minutes and is painless. Patients are sedated but awake during the procedure. You will be given anesthetic eye drops to numb the nerves in and around your eye.

After the operation, you will be ready to go home after receiving your post-operative instructions. You will need someone to drive you home.

What will I see and feel during the procedure?

Because you will be sedated lightly, you may not be fully awake. Patients will be inform each step of the way as to what is coming next and on what to focus. You may hear the sound of several instruments used during the procedure. There is no pain involved with modern cataract surgery, and after the procedure you will be fully awake and aware relatively quickly.

To learn more about lifestyle lenses and whether you are a candidate, please contact the Eye Surgery Center of Louisiana today to schedule a consultation at one of our New Orleans-area offices in Slidell, Bogalusa, Metairie or Gretna.

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