Multifocal lenses great for baby boomers

As the baby boomer generation grows older, many are starting to experience weakening vision. But a fairly new lens paired with an established procedure is helping to restore clear vision.

Dr. Rajesh Khanna has been implanting multifocal lenses since they were approved more than two years ago.

"A lot of baby boomers, they aren't able to see close anymore," Khanna said. "As they get into their 50s and 60s, even if they had LASIK earlier in life, they aren't able to read without glasses at this point in their lives."

That's where multifocals come in, making reading sans glasses possible while also improving vision for middle and far distances. LASIK can only affect one kind of vision in each eye, while multifocals can conquer all distance challenges.

"People who love the outdoors, mountain climbing, skating- you don't have to carry reading glasses," Khanna said. "With multifocal lenses, you will be free from that encumbrance."

Using a relaxant and modern anesthetics, the pain-free surgery lasts about 15 minutes. Using small incisions less than a tenth of an inch long, Khanna uses suction to remove the natural lens and places an implantable multifocal lens. Right away patients can see far and near, and every day vision improves.

Khanna schedules surgery for the second eye a week or two after the first, allowing the first to heal. The full benefit of the procedure won't occur until both eyes are done.

Although the lens was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration two years ago, the surgery itself is not new. The process is much like the cataracts procedure.

Many people can be candidates for multifocal lenses, whether in their 70s and having trouble reading or 27 years old with an early appearance of cataracts. Even people with diabetes or high blood pressure or taking blood thinners are candidates for the surgery.

Insurance can cover the procedure if the patient has cataracts.

The Khanna Institute has a center at 1220 La Venta Drive, Ste. 209, Westlake Village.

For more information, visit www.khannainstitute.com.