During cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL). This precisely engineered artificial lens is a permanent replacement that is completely transparent, meaning it will never cloud and once in place it will not move. Lightweight and flexible, patients will not be able to discern the IOL’s physical placement and can resume their normal daily activities without restriction. It’s important patients are discerning when choosing the right intraocular lens for their unique vision goals.

The Different Types of Intraocular Lenses

NeoVision provides high-quality continuous vision lenses to allow patients to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances – even the places in-between. Your doctor will help you determine the best lens for your particular needs and visual goals – below are the 3 main varieties of IOLs.

MonoFocal IOL

The monofocal IOL is designed to provide vision correction for either near or far distances (typically far distances). They are the most commonly used intraocular lenses. These implants remain focused at a single distance, therefore, many patients still benefit from wearing eyeglasses for clear vision at both near and far distances.

MultiFocal IOL

Not so unlike eyeglasses with bifocal lenses, a multifocal IOL is designed to allow you to see at different distances. This is achieved through different levels of magnification in different parts of the lens – expanding your range of vision to allow you to see clearly at more than one distance. The multifocal IOL can greatly reduce your reliance on eyeglasses and even eliminate your need for glasses completely.

Toric IOL

The toric IOL is a premium lens that can correct astigmatism as well as near and farsightedness. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an uneven or misshapen curve in the cornea. Toric IOLs are designed to correct your specific level of refractive error that is causing your astigmatism so you may not require eyeglasses following your cataract surgery.

Considerations for Choosing your Intraocular Lens

What to ask yourself when choosing an intraocular lens:

Will cost or insurance coverage influence your decision?

Medicare and most insurance companies do not cover all types of IOLs.  Primarily, most insurance companies only cover the most traditional option, the monofocal IOL. Fortunately, the monofocal IOL has been in use for decades and is the most popular option. Providing the best possible vision correction for a single distance, monofocal IOLs can be set to correct near, intermediate, or far distances. Most patients choosing monofocal lens opt to correct their far vision and rely on reading glasses for close up activities.

How frequently do you use smartphones or computers?

If you frequently use digital devices for reading, work, or leisure, you may be recommended to choose monofocal lenses to achieve what is called “monovision”. This means that each lens will be set for a different distance, one for far and one for near. The brain is able to reconcile the information coming from each eye to provide clearer vision at intermediate distances.

Do you wish to achieve both near and far vision – reducing your reliance on eyeglasses?

Multifocal IOLs can enable patients to see clearly at both near and far distances, reducing or eliminating the need to wear eyeglasses. Multifocal lenses do tend to be more expensive than the more traditional monofocal lenses and are not often fully covered by insurance.

How much night driving do you do?

If you spend a lot of time driving at night, multifocal lenses may not be the best IOL option for you. Some patients experience side effects such as glare or halos around lights or decreased visual sharpness at night with multifocal lenses. While most patients do adapt to these effects, those who drive a lot at night might be better satisfied with the more traditional monofocal IOLs.

Do you have astigmatism?

Astigmatism causes blurred or distorted vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea and has previously prevented many patients from being ideal candidates for intraocular lenses. New Toric IOLs are now available for those with moderate to severe astigmatism. These advanced IOLs have built-in correction for your astigmatism and correct vision for both near and far distances.

Intraocular Lens Available at NeoVision Eye Center in Union City

Offering expert help in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, NeoVision promises unsurpassed vision care and services. If you would like further information about the types of Intraocular Lens, Cataract Symptoms, or Cataract Treatment please call or contact us online today. Additionally, if you suspect that you or a loved one may have a cataract, click HERE to schedule a FREE consultation. We can help you on your path to better eyesight.