Guest Columnist
by Thomas Strinden, MD, Ophthalmologist
MeritCare Eye Clinic & Optical
New options for extreme nearsightedness and cataracts
With today's advances in
refractive surgery and
implantable lens
technology, more options are now
available to serve a broader
population of people. Two new
options we offer at MeritCare:
- The Verisyse™ lens for people with extreme nearsightedness (inability to see things far away)
- The Rezoom™ multifocal lens for people undergoing cataract surgery
A closer look at the Verisyse
Candidates for the Verisyse
procedure have likely been told
they were not suitable for LASIK
surgery because of the degree of
their nearsightedness. With the
Verisyse lens, people with
nearsightedness as great as -20
can now have their vision
surgically corrected, resulting in
no more need for contacts or
glasses. The procedure involves
placing a lens inside the eye in
front of the natural crystalline
lens. Leaving the natural lens in
place is key because it helps the
eye adjust between seeing objects
near and far.
Performed in a hospital setting
under local anesthesia, the
procedure takes about 20 to 30
minutes per eye, with each eye
requiring a separate visit. During
FDA clinical trials of the Verisyse
lens, an overwhelming majority of
patients (90 percent) expressed
satisfaction with the procedure,
saying they would recommend it
to a friend. Patients who have
undergone the procedure here at
MeritCare have been equally
pleased. MeritCare is the only
facility in the Red River Valley
performing this procedure – a
very good, safe, low-risk
procedure when done in the
appropriate setting by a welltrained
eye surgeon.
More on the Rezoom lens
Cataract surgery involves two
major steps, both done in the
same procedure – the removal of
the natural lens (clouded by
cataracts) followed by the
implantation of an artificial lens.
Typically the artificial lens has
been "monofocal," meaning it can
correct vision at one of three
ranges – distance, intermediate
or close-up. A mulitfocal lens can
correct vision at all three ranges,
decreasing a person's
dependence on glasses. Though
multifocal lenses have been used
in the past, the Rezoom is a new
and improved lens, made of
better material and resulting in
better quality of vision. It's
important to point out that while
Medicare covers the cataract
procedure and the implantation
of a lens, the patient is
responsible for the extra cost of
the Rezoom lens.
Focusing on you
At MeritCare, whether your
need is LASIK surgery, cataract
surgery or medical eye care for
your entire family, we offer the
professional expertise, full range
of services and years of
experience that will serve you
well. Our comprehensive team
approach, wide array of advanced
treatment options and
consideration for what's best for
you will give you confidence
you've come to the right place for
your eye care. We keep the focus
on you.
To schedule an appointment to
learn if you are eligible for either
the Verisyse or Rezoom lens
procedure, please call (701) 234-
2305 or (800) 437-4010.
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