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Facts Sheet: AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL

AcrySof® ReSTOR® is a breakthrough lens that uses apodized diffractive technology to give patients a full range of vision — near through distance— and greatly reduces their reliance on reading glasses or bifocals. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens used in cataract surgery for patients with or without presbyopia. The unique patented optic design results in highly-predictable visual acuity results, meaning patients can read the text on items such as prescription bottles, magazines, newspapers and computer screens, while also providing the ability to see items at a distance independent of reading glasses or bifocals. In fact, clinical trials have demonstrated that four out of five patients reported never wearing glasses or bifocals following bilateral cataract surgery.


Clinical data demonstrates that AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL greatly reduces dependence on glasses or bifocals. 80 percent of patients in the IOL clinical study did not need to wear glasses with AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, compared to eight percent in the monofocal control group following bilateral cataract surgery.

  • Combined Visual Acuity: 84.3 percent of patients demonstrated combined vision without glasses of 20/25 or better for distance and 20/32 or better for near.
  • 85 percent of AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL patients achieved 20/40 or better binocular uncorrected intermediate vision at 23.5 inches.
  • In most states, distance vision of 20/40 allows individuals to pass the visual requirements for the driver’s license test without glasses or contact lenses.

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL is made of the same highly-biocompatible acrylic material as Alcon’s market-leading AcrySof® family of intraocular lenses, which have been implanted in more than 25 million human eyes since 1991.


AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL uses a combination of three complementary
technologies: apodization, diffraction and refraction. Its unique apodized diffractive optic design provides the ability to focus light correctly on the retina for images at various distances without mechanical movement of the lens.

  • Apodization is a gradual reduction or blending of the diffractive step heights.
  • This unique technology optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina because it distributes the appropriate amount of light to near and distant focal points, regardless of the lighting situation.
  • Apodized diffractive optics are designed to improve image quality while minimizing visual disturbances. The result is an increased range of quality vision that delivers a high level of spectacle freedom.

In addition to providing increased spectacle freedom, AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL filters both ultraviolet and blue light.

  • While the lens provides increased blue-light filtration, it does not alter color perception.
  • Previously, Alcon developed AcrySof® Natural IOL for cataract surgery that is specifically designed to filter both ultraviolet and blue light.
  • Alcon applied this same technology to AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL.

The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL achieved CE mark status April 4, 2003, and currently is being implanted in patients outside the U.S. AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL received FDA approval on March 21, 2005.