Contact us today to find out more about the ReSTOR® and the Verisyse™ ICL lens implants available at our Springfield, Massachusetts office.
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"My surgical experience was precise, skillful and very comfortable. It was pain-free, quick and filled with personalized attention/care. I was well-informed and fully relaxed throughout the procedure. The follow-up has been extraordinary. I am so glad that I put my faith in Dr. Papale and his competent medical team."
Mary Ann Burritt
School Counselor
“I wanted the doctor most qualified and experienced… Dr. Papale and his staff are very professional, very caring, and make you feel relaxed. DO NOT HESITATE! My only regret is that I didn’t have the surgery performed sooner.”
Jacqueline Sowa
Homemaker
I would recommend this facility to family, friends and even anyone I just hear of considering LASIK!
Gail Pluta
I was highly impressed with the knowledgeable staff, and the excellent ‘customer service’ made the process easy and painless.
Gail Sullivan
Everyone is very friendly and professional so it is easy to see why the Papale & Bouvier Eye Center has such a great reputation.
Elizabeth Cavanaugh
Cataract and Nearsighted Lens Implants: ReSTOR®, ReZoom™, Crystalens®, Toric, Verisyse™, ICL – Springfield, Massachusetts
At Papale & Bouvier Eye Center, we rely on the latest innovations in lens implant technology, intraocular lenses (IOLs), to help reduce or completely eliminate the need for glasses for our cataract and nearsighted patients. IOLs are implantable lenses that restore a patient’s vision by either replacing the natural lens (during cataract surgery), or by inserting an artificial lens in front of the natural lens (to correct nearsightedness).
Our experienced eye surgeons offer lens implant surgery for cataracts using ReZoom™, crystalens®, Toric IOLs, and ReSTOR®. For nearsightedness, we offer Verisyse™ and ICL lens implants at our Springfield, Massachusetts office. With safe, effective lens implants, we are able to “restore” glasses-free vision for patients over the age of 40 who struggle with close-up reading – and for those who have never experienced clear vision in their lives!
Treatments for Nearsighted Patients
Individuals with myopia now have many options for vision correction. With advances in lens implants, our practice in Springfield, Massachusetts is able to offer nearsighted patients freedom from glasses and contact lenses with safe, simple procedures.
ICL – Implantable Contact Lens
What is an ICL?
If you’ve been told that you’re not a candidate for LASIK… or if you’ve been waiting for a new., safe, effective technology that could eliminate your need for glasses or contacts - the ICL, or implantable contact lens, could be right for you. Dr John Papale is the FIRST and ONLY ophthalmologist in Western MA performing this procedure!
The ICL works to correct nearsightedness by placing a permanent contact lens in the patient’s eye – behind the iris, in front of the natural lens. An alternative to LASIK, ICL surgery at our Springfield, Massachusetts office gives people the option to enjoy freedom from glasses and contact lenses, while enjoying the safety of a reversible procedure that leaves their eyes’ natural lenses intact. This lens is a new alternative for patients who aren’t safe candidates for LASIK or PRK surgery. The Visian ICL is the first lens of its kind to receive FDA approval, with over 55,000 patients worldwide.
How does an ICL work?
An ICL works by bending the light that passes through the eye’s natural lens to sharpen the focus on the retina. While most intraocular lenses (IOLs) replace the eye’s natural lens to correct the patient’s vision, an ICL works in conjunction with the eye’s natural crystalline lens to permanently improve vision. Each lens is specifically selected for the patient’s unique vision correction needs, so that optimal focusing power can be achieved after one short procedure.
ICL surgery generally lasts less than 30 minutes, and patients enjoy improved vision in a number of hours. Using the Visian ICL™, a foldable lens, Dr. John Papale can insert the lens through a tiny incision in the eye that will heal itself. Additionally, ICLs can be removed later in life for cataract surgery. To find out if you are a good candidate for myopia treatment with ICL, contact our Springfield, Massachusetts office today.
Visian ICL - "As Seen on the NBC Today Show"
Visian ICL - Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Visian ICL™ (IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS)
- How do I know if I’m a suitable Visian ICL candidate?
- Where is the Visian ICL placed?
- What is the track record of the Visian ICL?
- Does it hurt?
- What is the Visian ICL made of?
- What if my vision changes after I receive the Visian ICL?
- What type of procedure is involved in implanting the Visian ICL?
- Can the Visian ICL be removed from my eye?
- Is the Visian ICL visible to others?
- Will I be able to feel the Visian ICL once it’s in place?
How do I know if I’m a suitable Visian ICL candidate?
Candidates for the Visian ICL are between 21 and 45 years of age, suffer from myopia (nearsightedness), and want to experience superior vision correction. The ideal Visian ICL candidate has not undergone any ophthalmic surgery and does not have a history of eye disease such as iritis, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.
Nearly anyone seeking clearer vision may be a Visian ICL candidate, including those with special or extreme vision correction needs. Patients should contact a qualified Visian ICL surgeon for more information, including an assessment of their candidacy.
Without a enough anterior chamber depth or endothelial cell density may not be a good Visian ICL candidate.
Where is the Visian ICL placed?
A qualified ophthalmologist will insert the Visian ICL through a small micro-opening, placing it inside the eye just behind the iris in front of the eye's natural lens. The Visian ICL is designed to stay in position with no special care. Learn more about the Visian ICL surgery procedure.
What is the track record of the Visian ICL?
Prior to being placed on the market, the Visian ICL was subject to extensive research and development. Today, more than 40,000 people worldwide enjoy the benefits of the device. In US clinical study, over 99 percent of patients were satisfied with their implant. The Visian ICL has a track record of stable, consistently excellent clinical outcomes. The lens has been available internationally for over 15 years.
Does it hurt?
No, most patients state that they are very comfortable throughout the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will use topical anesthetic drops prior to the procedure and may choose to administer a light sedative as well.
What is the Visian ICL made of?
The Visian ICL is made of Collamer®, a highly biocompatible advanced lens material which contains a small amount of purified collagen. Collamer does not cause a reaction inside the eye and it contains an ultraviolet blocker that provides protection to the eye. Collamer is a material proprietary to STAAR Surgical Company.
What if my vision changes after I receive the Visian ICL?
One advantage of the Visian ICL is that it offers treatment flexibility. If your vision changes dramatically after receiving the implant, your surgeon can remove and replace it. If necessary, another procedure can be performed at any time.
Patients can wear glasses or contact lenses as needed following treatment with the Visian ICL. The implant does not treat presbyopia (difficulty with reading in people 40 and older), but you can use reading glasses as needed after receiving the Visian ICL.
What type of procedure is involved in implanting the Visian ICL?
The surgical procedure to implant the Visian ICL is simple and painless. As a Visian ICL candidate, your surgeon will prepare your eyes one to two weeks prior to the procedure by using a laser to create two very small openings in the colored part of your eye which lies between the lens and the front chamber of your eye. This allows for the natural passage of fluids between the two areas, thereby avoiding the build up of intraocular pressure following the treatment.
The implantation procedure itself takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, though you will have to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.
You can expect to experience very little discomfort during the Visian ICL implantation. You will undergo treatment while under a light topical or local anesthetic, perhaps with the addition of a mild sedative. Following surgery, you may use prescription eye drops or oral medication. The day after surgery, you will return to your surgeon for a follow-up visit. You will also have follow-up visits one month and six months following the procedure.
Can the Visian ICL be removed from my eye?
Although the Visian ICL is intended to remain in place permanently, a qualified ophthalmologist can remove the implant if necessary.
Is the Visian ICL visible to others?
No. The Visian ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and observers. Only your surgeon will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.
Will I be able to feel the Visian ICL once it’s in place?
The Visian ICL is designed to be completely unobtrusive after it is put in place. It stays in position by itself and does not interact with any of the eye’s structures.
Verisyse™ Phakic IOL
What is the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL?
An alternative to laser eye surgery, we offer Verisyse™ Phakic IOL implants at our Springfield, Massachusetts practice to correct mild to severe myopia (nearsightedness). Some patients are not good candidates for LASIK surgery because they suffer from severe nearsightedness, but now the Verisyse™ implantable Collamer® lens allows for nearsighted patients to experience glasses-free vision after one short, simple procedure.
How does the Verisyse™ lens work?
Unlike the ReSTOR® lens, which replaces the eye’s natural lens, the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is surgically implanted in front of the eye’s natural lens, behind the cornea. The Verisyse™ procedure is referred to as “phakic,” because the eye still has its natural lens, which helps the eye adjust and focus on objects both near and far. The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL works by refracting (bending) light to allow it to focus in the retina. Normally, intraocular lens surgeries last less than 30 minutes, and one eye is operated on at a time. The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is implanted through a tiny incision on the cornea, and patients usually notice improved vision the following day. If you are interested in learning more about myopia treatment with the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL, contact our Springfield, Massachusetts office today!
Treatments for Patients with Cataracts
Traditional lens implants (IOLs) are monofocal, meaning they offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate, or near). These traditional lenses mean that after cataract surgery, patients will need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to read, use a computer, or view objects at middle-range distance. At Papale & Bouvier Eye Center, we offer the most advanced technology in lens implants – presbyopia-correcting multifocal lens implants. These lens implants provide excellent vision after cataract surgery at a variety of distances.
Depending on your specific vision needs, there are several types of multifocal lens implants to choose from. Each of these lens implants (IOLs) works in a different way to help you achieve your vision correction goals. Multifocal lens implants correct both your distance vision and your near vision after cataract surgery. For the vast majority of patients, premium multifocal lens implants correct their distance and reading vision, providing greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses.
ReSTOR® Lens Implants
What is the ReSTOR® lens?
The ReSTOR® lens is an artificial lens implant that is designed to replace the natural lens of the eye. Made of a soft, flexible plastic material, the ReSTOR® lens has a patented design that allows it to focus light on the retina for clear vision at near, far, and intermediate distances. In just a few hours, the ReSTOR® lens can be inserted in the eye, then quickly and easily unfolded to restore vision during a brief visit to our Springfield, Massachusetts office. The result is a remarkable improvement in both the quality (sharp, clear images at all distances) and quantity (a full range) of vision.
Who is a candidate for ReSTOR® lens implants?
The ReSTOR® lens is FDA approved for the treatment of cataracts. ReSTOR® lens implants are available at our Springfield, Massachusetts eye center to all patients with cataracts and/or presbyopia (difficulty with close-up vision). The ideal candidate for the ReSTOR® lens is someone who is seeking better vision at all distances – near, far, and intermediate – without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.
How does the ReSTOR® lens treat presbyopia?
Patients in their 40s who have trouble with close-up reading are generally experiencing the first effects of presbyopia. Presbyopia is essentially a problem with the lens of the eye. As the lens hardens and becomes inflexible with age, it becomes more and more difficult to focus on nearby objects for reading and other activities. By replacing the hardened lenses with flexible lens implants like ReSTOR®, the eye surgeons at our practice can almost completely restore vision affected by presbyopia.
What results can I expect after ReSTOR® lens implant surgery?
In a clinical study, approximately 80 percent of patients who received the ReSTOR® lens indicated that after surgery, they never had to wear glasses again!
With the ReSTOR® lens, most patients can read the newspaper, play sports, and drive their cars (even at night) without glasses or contact lenses. In practical terms, the ReSTOR® lens decreases or completely eliminates dependence on prescription lenses. Patients suffering from cataracts and/or presbyopia are typically very satisfied with the ReSTOR® lens. In fact, more than 90 percent have indicated they would choose ReSTOR® lens implants again if given the choice! At our practice, we recommend the ReSTOR® lens because we are confident in the results. To find out what ReSTOR® lens implants can do for you, contact Papale & Bouvier Eye Center in Springfield, Massachusetts today.
ReZoom™
The ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens is a clear, foldable implant made of a high-refractive-index acrylic material. The new technology of the multifocal lens is designed to provide a full range of vision – near, far, and intermediate – after cataract treatment. Unlike conventional single-vision (monofocal) lens implants, ReZoom™ lenses have been specially designed with multifocal zones that provide good vision across the spectrum of varying distances and light conditions. The eye’s natural lens deteriorates with age, usually due to presbyopia or cataracts. ReZoom™ treats both conditions. The goal is to help patients see well anywhere and anytime – near, far, or in between.
Patients who have frequent prescription changes or who use bifocals are excellent candidates for the ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens.
The natural lens in the eye deteriorates with age, usually due to presbyopia or cataracts. ReZoom™ treats both.
Crystalens®
The only “accommodating” intraocular lens, crystalens® bends and flexes like the eye’s natural lens by working with the eye’s surrounding ciliary muscles to focus on objects both near and far. When people age, the natural lens looses its accommodation power and hardens with cataracts, causing unfocused vision.
Toric IOLs
Many cataract patients suffer from astigmatism and have required glasses or contact lenses to drive or read for much of their adult lives. Toric lens implants correct for astigmatism when positioned in the eye. Toric IOLs are placed in the patient’s eye during routine cataract surgery just as the other intraocular lenses used at Papale & Bouvier Eye Center.
In the same way that Toric contact lenses reduce or correct astigmatism, patients can receive Toric intraocular lens implants to restore sharper distance vision. When the eye’s natural lens (cataract) is removed and replaced with a Toric IOL, imperfections in the eye’s shape are improved, resulting in clearer vision without the need for multiple incisions, as is common in other astigmatism surgeries. In addition, recovery time is shorter and more comfortable than with older methods .
1. Blurred vision with cataract and astigmatism.
2. Vision with traditional replacement lens after cataract removal.
3. Vision with Toric IOL.
If you are interested in learning more about lens implants, including the ReSTOR® lens, Verisyse™ IOL, ICL, ReZoom™, and others, contact our Springfield, Massachusetts eye surgery center. Our experienced doctors can help restore your vision so you can enjoy freedom from glasses and contact lenses. At your evaluation appointment, our doctors will discuss your visual goals with you and help you select a lens implant that suits your needs.