If you live in Mission, McAllen or Laredo, Texas, and would like to know more about LASIK, contact eye surgeon Pankajkumar Shah (Pankaj G. Shah).
Shah Eye Center
1506 E. Griffin Parkway
Mission, Texas 78572
(956) 583-0202
Map and directions
Shah Eye & Lasik Vision Center
8607 McPherson Rd, Suite 102
Laredo, Texas 78045
(956) 753-0202
Map and directions
Monday to Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Saturdays: By appointment only
Sunday: Closed
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Introducing a breakthrough in vision surgery. Now there's a revolutionary new way to potentially leave your glasses behind forever - the innovative AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL), a tremendous advancement in intraocular lens technology. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL has been uniquely designed to provide enhanced image quality and a full range of vision - up close, far away and everything in-between - giving cataract patients the opportunity to live life free of glasses. In fact, Dr. Shah has placed this lens in the eyes of both his father and father-in-law!
Until recently, life without reading glasses or bifocals wasn't an option for most cataractpatients. You now have that option. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL is a unique technological innovation that can provide you with enhanced image quality and a full range of vision - near, far and everywhere in-between - for increased independence from reading glasses or bifocals!
As we perform daily activities such as reading, watching television or working at the computer, our eyes are constantly focusing on objects at varying distances - up close, far away and in-between. The ability to quickly change focus throughout our range of vision is called accommodation. Unfortunately, we begin to lose this ability as we grow older1, gradually becoming more and more dependent on bifocals or reading glasses.
Thankfully, by combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and refractive technologies, the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL can now provide quality near, intermediate and distance vision, and increased independence from reading glasses or bifocals. And now, with the addition of proven aspheric technology, the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL takes the advancements one step further, for a lens with enhanced image quality and clarity.
Diffraction involves the spreading of light as it passes through a lens. You'll notice that, on the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR®IOL, the center of the lens surface consists of a series of tiny rings - this is known as an apodized diffractive optic.Apodization is the gradual tapering of different diffractive levels (or "steps") on a lens, creating a smooth transition of light between distant, intermediate and near focal points. This means that the series of tiny steps in the center of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL work together to focus light, providing excellent near, intermediate and distance vision.
Refraction involves the redirection of light as it passes through a lens. The outer ring of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL is a refractive region designed for excellent distance vision. This refractive area bends light as it passes through the lens, accurately focusing it on the retinafor a crisp, clear image.
Even healthy eyes still contain some imperfections, or "aberrations." Spherical aberration, a type of imperfection common to cataract patients, can eventually lead to a reduction in visual acuity and function. Thankfully, with the addition of a proven aspheric optic, the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL can correct for these spherical aberrations, leading to enhanced clarity.
1. Lee, Judith and Bailey, Gretchyn. Presbyopia. AllAboutVision.com. Access Media Group: 2004.
As we grow older, our bodies go through a number of natural changes. With the aging eye, these changes can lead to conditions that impact the quality of your vision. The most common age-related vision disorder is the development of cataracts, a condition that gradually robs you of your eyesight. But, if you've been diagnosed with cataracts, don't lose hope - with successful treatment, it may be possible to regain clearer, brighter and sharper vision than you've had in years!
Contrary to popular belief, a cataract is not a type of "film" that forms over the surface of the eye. In reality, a cataract is a change in the clarity of the lens inside your eye, a gradual clouding that can make your vision less sharp over time.
Light enters the eye through the cornea, passes through the natural crystalline lensand is accurately focused onto the retina, creating a crisp, clear image.
Cataract-Affected Eye
As the eye ages, the lens becomes cloudier, allowing less light to pass through. The light that does make it to the retina is diffused or scattered, leaving vision defocused and blurry.
Cataracts generally develop slowly and painlessly. In fact, you may not even realize that your vision is changing. Still, cataracts can progress until you eventually experience a significant loss of vision, and neither diet nor laser treatment will make a cataract go away. The only truly effective treatment for cataracts is to remove the clouded lens altogether.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective surgical procedures - it's also one of the most successful1. The idea of surgery may seem a little scary at first, but once you understand the process, and the life-changing, sight-restoring benefits it can offer, you'll likely wish you'd had the procedure even sooner!
Once you've decided to have cataract surgery, Dr. Shah will work with you to help choose the intraocular lens, or IOL, that will be placed in your eye during the procedure.
There are two basic types of IOLs, each designed to correct vision at a specific visual range.Monofocal lenses only correct vision at one portion of your visual range (typically vision at a distance), while multifocal lenses are designed to correct a full range of vision - near, far and everywhere in-between.
Your doctor will work with you to decide which IOL is best suited for your unique visual needs. For instance, you may be a candidate for the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL, an advanced type of multifocal IOL that can offer you the chance for complete freedom from glasses. Ask your doctor if the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL is right for you.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes Dr. Shah less than 10 minutes. Here's a brief overview of the process:
Clear Distance Vision without Glasses or Contacts
For cataract patients with astigmatism, successful cataract surgery is only half the battle toward regaining quality vision.
Until recently, correction options for astigmatism correction after cataract surgery were eyeglasses or contact lenses, both of which are not only inconvenient in terms of lifestyle, but can also be expensive over a lifetime.
The advanced technology behind the AcrySof® IQ Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) offers a combined solution, not only replacing your cataract-clouded natural lens for clear vision, but also correcting corneal astigmatism, so you can see in focus.
Quality Distance Vision - Unhindered by Cataracts and Astigmatism
The technology behind the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL offers cataract patients with preexisting astigmatism precise vision correction that reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and delivers significantly improved distance vision without the need for glasses or contacts. You'll also be able to enjoy improved image quality thanks to the lens' new aspheric design.
With the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL, your distance vision can be clear, vibrant and in focus, all with just one lens!
How Astigmatism Compromises Your Vision
Astigmatism is a common vision problem, but most people aren't really sure what it actually does to their vision. Often accompanying nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism is usually caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.
In a normal eye with a round corneal curve, light rays passing through the cornea bend toward the center and focus at one exact spot on the retina. With corneal astigmatism, the surface of the eye has an uneven curvature. As a result, light rays are not focused at one spot on the retina, and your vision becomes distorted.
If you have only a small amount of astigmatism, you may not notice it, or have just slightly blurred vision. But sometimes, uncorrected astigmatism can give you headaches or eyestrain, and distort or blur your vision at all distances.
Unfortunately, cataract surgery alone cannot correct astigmatism. However, the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL now makes it possible to treat cataracts and correct corneal astigmatism at the same time.
You're At Your Best When You Can See Your Best
Think for a moment about all of the activities you could enjoy if cataract surgery gave you quality distance vision without the hassle of eyeglasses or contacts:
Your eyes are the only pair you'll ever have, which means that your choices for vision correction are among the most important health decisions you'll ever make. Come Dr. Shah to learn more about the AcrySof® IQ Toric lens, and find out if it's right for you.
And that's it! All you'll have to do after surgery is rest up, and get ready to enjoy the benefits of improved vision - often even better than before the cataract developed! And, if you choose the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL, not only will you gain a full range of vision, but you may also experience complete freedom from glasses after surgery!
1. Facts About Cataracts. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. June 2004.