Dear Patient, Thank you for choosing Florida Eye Institute for your

Dear Patient,
Thank you for choosing Florida Eye Institute for your lens consultation for cataract. Helping our patients restore
lost sight and function through cataract operations is the focus of our practice and the primary surgical procedure
that we have performed over 10,000 times at the institute. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye.
The treatment is surgical removal of the cataract and replacement with a lens implant (IOL).
Today, you have several great lens replacement options:
1. A Presbyopia Reducing Lens (Tecnis MF, ReSTOR, Crystalens) provides good vision from close up
to far away with your natural eye, allowing you to read, cook, drive, compute, and play sports free of
glasses in most or all situations.
2. An Astigmatism Reducing Lens (Toric) treats astigmatism (blurriness from an irregularly shaped
eye) giving you clearer focus at the desired distance (usually far vision). Glasses are then used to gain
focus at the remaining focal points (often OTC readers for near vision).
3. A HD Monofocal Lens (Softec HD) is a highly precise single focus lens that can be focused at
distance, intermediate, or near, so that glasses are used at the other distances and to compensate for
astigmatism.
Here is what some of our cataract surgery patients have said about how these new lenses can impact their
lifestyle:
Donna W. of Vero Beach (Toric patient): “I have a new life because as long as I remember I was never able to
see so clearly. I just walked around smiling because I can see so well. It has made me so happy!”
Ivy and Bill W. of Melbourne (ReSTOR husband and wife): “I despised glasses all of my life. Two years ago we
both had ReSTOR lens implants. It was a wonderful experience. We each achieved 20/20 vision and no longer
wear glasses. Now we don’t have to buy expensive eyelglasses! We constantly recommend ReSTOR.”
Pam Bjorkman of Vero Beach (Crystalens patient): “I was so tired of wearing glasses for everything that I did. Dr.
Zudans explained the cataract removal and Crystalens procedures expertly and my results have been fabulous. I
am free to read, drive and see everyone now – without glasses!”
For additional education about cataract surgery and lenses please visit our website at fleye.com. If you are
anticipating cataract surgery, then we would like you to be completely familiar with your treatment opportunities.
Before your office visit, we kindly ask that you read the enclosed materials, complete the “Vision Preferences
Checklist” and bring it with you. Optimal vision helps you live life to the fullest. As eye surgeons, we are very
pleased to offer you the very best lens implant options for an enhanced quality of life.
Sincerely,
Val Zudans, M.D. and Karen D. Todd, M.D
What are cataracts?
If your vision has become cloudy or things you see are not as bright as they used to be, a cataract may have developed in
one or both of your eyes. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Your eye becomes like a window that is
frosted or yellowed.
The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may
not be aware that a cataract is present.
There are many misconceptions about cataract. A cataract is not:
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A growth or film over the eye;
A cause of irreversible blindness;
A result of overusing the eyes;
A contagious disease spread from eye to eye or person to person.
Cataracts are a common cause of vision loss, especially as we age, but they are
treatable. Your ophthalmologist can tell you whether cataract or some other problem
is the cause of your vision loss and can help you decide if cataract surgery is
appropriate for you.
How are cataracts treated?
If your vision is only slightly blurry, a change in your eyeglass prescription may help for a while. However, if you are
still not able to see well enough to do the things you like or need to do after
the change in eyeglass prescription, cataract surgery should be considered.
Cataract surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure and does
not require an overnight stay. There are usually few restrictions, and you
will be able to resume your normal activities almost immediately.
Before surgery, the length of your eye will be measured in what is called
an A-scan, and the curve of your cornea will be measured in a technique
called keratometry. These measurements help your Eye M.D. select the
proper lens implant for your eye.
The most common procedure used for removing cataracts is called
phacoemulsification. A small incision is made in the side of the cornea (the
front part of your eye). Your Eye M.D. inserts a tiny instrument through the
incision that uses high-frequency ultrasound to break up the center of the
cloudy lens and suction it out. The lens is removed in one piece, using a
technique called extracapsular extraction.
After the cloudy lens has been removed, the surgeon will replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant made of plastic,
silicone or acrylic. This new lens allows light to pass through and focus on the retina. The IOL becomes a permanent part
of your eye. In most cases, the IOL is inserted behind the iris, the colored part of your eye, and is called a posterior
chamber lens. Sometimes, the IOL must be placed in front of the iris. This is called an anterior chamber lens. When the
IOL is in place, the surgeon closes the incision. Stitches may or may not be used.
*Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology Website
Vision Preferences Checklist
The term “cataract” refers to a cloudy lens within the eye. When a cataract is removed, an artificial lens is placed
inside the eye to take the place of the human lens that has become the cataract. Occasionally, clear lenses that have not
yet developed cataracts are also removed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. If it is determined that
surgery is appropriate for you, this questionnaire will help us provide the best treatment for your visual needs. It is
important to understand that many patients still need to wear glasses for some activities after surgery. Please fill this
form out completely and give it to the doctor. If you have questions, please let us know and we will assist you with
this form.
1. After surgery, would you be interested in seeing well without glasses in the following situations?
Distance vision (driving, golf, tennis, other sports, watching TV)
___Prefer no Distance glasses.
___ I wouldn’t mind wearing Distance glasses.
Mid-range vision. (computer, menus, price tags, cooking, board games, items on a shelf)
___Prefer no Mid-range glasses.
___ I wouldn’t mind wearing Mid-range glasses.
Near vision (reading books, newspapers, magazines, detailed handwork)
___Prefer no Near glasses.
___ I wouldn’t mind wearing Near glasses.
2. Please check the single statement that best describes you in terms of night vision:
___ a. Night vision is extremely important to me, and I require the best possible quality night vision.
___ c. Night vision is not particularly important to me. MACS
___ b. I want to be able to drive comfortably at night, but I would tolerate some slight imperfections.
3. If you had to wear glasses after surgery for one activity, for which activity would you be most willing to use
glasses? ____Distance Vision. ____Mid-range Vision.
____Near Vision.
4. If you could have good Distance Vision during the day without glasses, and good Near Vision for reading
without glasses, but the compromise was that you might see some halos or rings around lights at night, would you
like that option? ____Yes ____No
5. If you could have good Distance vision during the day and night without glasses, and good Mid- range Vision
without glasses, but the compromise was that you might need glasses for reading the finest print at near, would you
like that option? ____Yes ____No
6. Surgery to reduce or eliminate your dependence upon glasses for Distance, Mid-range and Near Vision may be
partially covered by insurance if you have a cataract that is covered by insurance. Would you be interested in learning
more about this option?
____Yes ____No ____Maybe, it depends on how much is covered by insurance.
7. Please place an “X” on the following scale to describe your personality as best you can:
[---------------------------------------------------------------I--------------------------------------------------------------]
Easy going
Perfectionist
Please Sign Here__________________________________
CATARACT LENS OPTIONS
Once you’ve made the decision to have cataract surgery, you still have a crucial choice ahead of you.
During surgery, your clouded natural lens will be replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Recent innovations have led to the development of a variety of IOL designs each with their own
unique features. This is a one-time procedure and the IOL that you select will permanently change
the way you see the world. The good news is that many of the costs including the surgical fee,
facility fee, and anesthesia charges are commonly covered by insurance. You will be responsible for
any co-pays, deductibles, and the added costs related to the lens implant package that is chosen.
Choosing the IOL that best fits your lifestyle
Presbyopia Reducing Lens Implants (Tecnis MF, Restor, Crystalens)
Blended Vision System Package (monovision)
Added Cost: $2500 per eye
Added Cost: $1000 in near eye
Astigmatism Reducing Lens Implant Package (Toric) – Mod to High
Low to Mod Astigmatism Package (LRI)
Added Cost: $1250 per eye
Added Cost: $550 per eye
MACS-HD Testing Package
Added Cost: $200 per eye
Presbyopia Reducing Lens Package
A lens with multiple focal points or a flexible lens platform, designed to provide a full range of vision. This is often the best option for the individual who
wants to reduce and possibly eliminate their dependency on eyeglasses following cataract surgery.
• We expect good vision at distance, intermediate, and near. The specific choice of lens is customized to each patient.
• We expect a reduced or eliminated need for glasses, but not all patients are good candidates for these lenses.
• You may experience rings or difficulty in low light situations. Brighter lighting helps and may be needed for reading. Over-the-counter
magnifiers may be necessary for small details such as threading a needle or reading in low light.
Blended Vision System Package: Each eye has a different focal point to cover a wider range of clear vision.
Astigmatism Reducing Lens Package (Toric) Moderate to High Astigmatism
A lens with a single focal point, designed to correct astigmatism, providing distance vision while offering enhanced image quality. This often is the best
option for the individual with astigmatism who, while they do not mind wearing eyeglasses following cataract surgery, is interested in reducing their
dependency on them.
• We expect good distance vision (beyond arm’s length) post-op without glasses, including driving, TV, and sports.
• You will likely require glasses for close up vision. Over-the-counter magnifiers usually work for this.
HD Monofocal Lens Package
A lens with a single focal point and aspheric optic, designed to correct cataracts and provide distance vision while offering enhanced image quality. This
lens has more precise lens power increments (0.25D vs. 0.50D) and tighter tolerances to lens powers (0.125D vs. 0.400D). This is often the best option
for the individual who does not mind wearing glasses following cataract surgery, but is still interested in using a high quality lens with very precise and
accurate lens powers.
• We expect good distant focus post-op in patients without astigmatism or other ocular pathology.
• You will likely still require glasses for close up vision or bifocals, depending on your eyes.
• 0.25D increments with tolerance of 0.125D, aspheric lens optics, and added measurements to determine and confirm the ideal IOL power for
your eye. The post-op refraction is included in this package.
LRI Package
Added to one of the above lens packages for surgical reduction of low to moderate astigmatism with a limbal relaxing incision.