Premium Intraocular Lens Implants
What are the different intraocular lens implant (IOL) options?
In years past, there was little choice as to what IOL to use in cataract surgery. Older IOL models are referred to as “monofocal IOLs” and focus vision at a single distance; if a patient chooses a monofocal IOL to correct for far distance vision, reading glasses are required after surgery to focus up close. Recent technological advances have resulted in “Premium IOLs” that have advantages over monofocal IOLs. Premium IOLs include multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF), which help focus vision for both far distance and up close, resulting in less dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. Toric IOLs help correct astigmatism, again resulting in less dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. During your eye exam, our doctors can let you know if you are a candidate for one of these exciting Premium IOLs.
What is presbyopia?
As we age into our 40s and beyond, the eye starts to lose its ability to focus. This is when most people start to require reading glasses or bifocals. This natural loss of focusing ability is called presbyopia. Multifocal and EDOF (extended depth of focus) IOLs are designed to overcome the problems of presbyopia.
Can presbyopia be corrected?
Multifocal IOLs are designed with numerous optical zone rings that focus images from different distances (near and far) at the same time; the vision center in the brain chooses which image the eye is focusing on. The PanOptix multifocal lens improves near (reading), intermediate (computer), and distance vision, and the majority of patients can function throughout the day without glasses. Vivity is an extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lens that provides a continuous range of vision.
These IOLs do not yield perfect vision at every distance, so some patients will require occasional use of glasses for certain activities, such as reading small print or driving at night. Due to the multiple ring design of multifocal IOLs like the PanOptix, one side effect is halos or starbursts around lights, such as around headlights at night. For this reason, we typically do not recommend multifocal IOLs for pilots or people who drive at night for a living.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) works differently. After surgery, your doctor can fine-tune your vision using light treatments that adjust the lens, so your result can be customized to your visual goals. Learn more about the Light Adjustable Lens.
To see how you can benefit from one of these IOLs, ask our doctors whether a PanOptix, Vivity, or Light Adjustable Lens is appropriate for you.