Alcon AcrySof IQ Lens Implant.

Highest Quality ~ Crisp, Clear, Sharp Distance Vision.

East Valley Ophthalmology offers the AcrySof IQ intraocular lens implant, designed to give the majority of cataract surgery patients without astigmatism the best potential for high quality single-distance vision. The IQ lens is among the trusted family of Alcon AcrySof intraocular lens implants that are some of the most widely used for cataract surgery, with more than 30 million implanted worldwide. We invite you to make an appointment and learn more: 480-981-6111.

AcrySof IQ Lens Implant

The AcrySof IQ lens is designed to enhance contrast sensitivity, reduce spherical aberration, and improve functional vision. The AcrySof IQ lens offers these advantages over traditional intraocular lens implants:

The AcrySof IQ intraocular lens implant is also an excellent choice for those who enjoy driving at night, as it delivers great clarity with minimal reports of glare or haloes under reduced lighting conditions.

Spherical Aberration.

Even healthy eyes contain optical imperfections known as higher order aberrations (click link to view). Spherical aberration is one type of higher order aberration common to almost everyone, becoming more an issue as the natural lens inside the eye becomes thicker and cloudy with advancing age. This thickening and clouding may lead to a change in the optical characteristics of the natural lens, resulting in glare, halos and decreased contrast sensitivity. Symptoms of increased spherical aberration are:

Improved Functional Vision

One of the most important benefits of the IQ Lens is improved functional vision. With compromised functional vision, even patients who have no problem reading the letters on an eye chart can be at a visual disadvantage.

The visual quality of an optical system, such as the human eye, is determined its ability to faithfully transmit the characteristics of an object to its image with both clarity (resolution) and contrast (the ability to tell the difference between closely spaced items of similar color and hue).

For example, one only has to think of an old black and white TV from the 1950s for an example of a low quality image in which the clarity was poor (low resolution) and items of similar intensity seemed to run together (lack of contrast).

Now compare that to the modern plasma screen TV you may have recently seen at a local electronics store. Of course, the imaged looked magnificent because both the resolution and especially the contrast were spectacular. In optics, the ability of an optical system to transfer an object's contrast to its image is measured by what is known as the modulation transfer function (click link to learn more).

The optical science behind the AcrySof IQ lens is to increase the modulation transfer function of the human eye. This can be seen by a clinically significant improvement in night driving under test conditions that simulated city and rural settings under normal, glare, and fog conditions. In these tests, the IQ lens resulted in functionally better vision under 34 of 36 conditions tested. Visual performance was greatest for the detection and identification of city pedestrians and rural warning signs under glare and fog conditions. The improved functional vision with the AcrySof IQ lens gave drivers time to take appropriate action.

UV Blue Light Protection

In addition to its refractive role, the natural lens inside your eye is also responsible for filtering high-energy blue light commonly found within the sun's rays and some artificial lighting. As part of the aging process, your natural lens gradually turns yellow and it is thought that this change in color may help to protect the aging retina by filtering more of the these harmful wavelengths.

When your natural lens is removed during cataract surgery, the eye loses this ability to filter blue light. Without something to replace its natural filtering ability, the eye becomes vulnerable to the effects of these shorter, energetic wavelengths. Some researchers believe that overexposure to blue light may be harmful to the retina and may increase the risk of ocular melanoma and contribute to the development of macular degeneration and a loss of vision.

Most available intraocular lens implants filter UV light only, which means that a cataract surgery patient receiving one of those implants is left vulnerable to the transmission of these harmful wavelengths of blue light. The AcrySof IQ lens implant is unique in its ability to filter blue light, having a patented yellow tint that filters this potentially harmful wavelength of blue light.

The light yellow color of the IQ lens is very similar to that of your natural lens and is necessary to filter blue light, yet the IQ lens does not alter the natural colors of the things you see or change the quality of your vision. In fact, results of a recent study show equal or better color perception for patients implanted with the AcrySof IQ lens as compared to the same lens without the light yellow color.

Improved Contrast Sensitivity

Contrast sensitivity is the ability to see objects that may not stand out from their background. This would be perceived as an ability to differentiate between shades of gray in closely spaced images (as seen in the chart at the right).

The ability to see a shade of gray on a white background or to see white on a light gray background declines with age. Cataracts, in particular, can affect contrast sensitivity.

Low contrast sensitivity may affect:

• Seeing traffic lights, or cars at night
• Noticing spots, or dirt on clothes, counters, or dishes
• Understanding facial gestures and subtleties of expression
• Seeing whether a flame is burning on a stove
• The amount of light necessary to read
• Experiencing "tired eyes" while watching television

A person with early cataracts may test well on a black letter, white background visual acuity chart, but may still experience problems with reduced contrast sensitivity. Clinical studies using the AcrySof IQ lens have shown a significant improvement in contrast sensitivity over a control clear lens.

Advantages of the AcrySof IQ Lens Implant

• The AcrySof IQ intraocular lens is designed to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness and reduce the normally occurring spherical aberration of the human eye.
• The AcrySof IQ intraocular lens is designed to have the lens capsule “shrink wrap” around it. This helps the lens remain stable and centered within the eye.
• The patented yellow color of the AcrySof IQ intraocular lens is biocompatible and bonded to the structure of the acrylic material.
• The yellow color of the AcrySof IQ intraocular lens, approximates the natural discoloration (i.e., natural yellowing) of a healthy adult crystalline lens, without a negative impact on color perception.
• Contrast sensitivity and night driving are improved after implantation of the yellow-tinted AcrySof IQ intraocular lens.
• The AcrySof IQ intraocular lens is compatible with secondary cataract treatment, known as a Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, if required.

The eye specialists of East Valley Ophthalmology perform advanced technology diagnostic testing and treatment, as well as taking the time necessary to provide each patient with information needed to fully understand their condition and to achieve their best possible visual outcome.

If you would like further information, please call our office at:

480-981-6111

East Valley Ophthalmology

Eye Doctors - Mesa, Arizona

If you or a family member or friend have not had a recent routine eye examination, have a specific eye condition that needs addressing, or are looking for an eye specialist or professional eye consultant please take a moment to Request an Appointment.