Tell Me About My Options for Vision Correction With Cataract Surgery
What lens option is best for me
After your cloudy natural lens (the cataract) is removed during the cataract surgery a new artificial lens (Intraocular lens or IOL) is put back in its place. Because your doctor can choose the power of this lens, in most cases you can be made to see clearly without glasses. This means that if you are far-sighted or near-sighted and have depended on glasses to help you see clearly in the distance, you will now see much better without glasses! This can be an exciting time as many people that have worn glasses for 60 or 70 years can now see well enough to drive and do many of their normal daily activities without glasses.
Many years ago when cataract surgery was done there was only one lens option and the details of that lens were not typically discussed with the patient. Over the last 5 years, lens manufacturers have developed new lenses designed to give better vision in many circumstances. Working closely with your surgeon, you will get to choose which lens is implanted in your eye during your eye surgery. The goal in selecting a lens is to match your lifestyle, activities, and desires with the lens that will meet your needs and expectations. Your surgeon is the main resource to help you decide which lens will be the right one for you. Things you will need to consider include
- What activities do you do during the day and which ones would you like to do without glasses if possible?
- Are you able to pay extra money for a lens that does more than the standard lens covered by your insurance company?
- At what distances would you like to see most clearly without glasses – Near (reading), Intermediate (computer screen), or Far (driving)?
New technology lenses fall into several categories. Most of the new lenses are considered “Premium Lenses” because there is an additional fee for the lens to be implanted during the cataract surgery. Another name for some of these lenses is “Presbyopia-correcting” lenses because they improve near vision without glasses.
A quick introduction to current lens technology
- Standard Lens (monofocal) – clear high quality lens. Will provide excellent vision but only at one distance. Fully covered by insurance with your cataract surgery
- Multifocal lens – lens with special optical properties to bring light rays into focus from different distances. Designed to help you be less dependant on glasses for reading or working on the computer. ReZoom and Restor are the main multifocal lenses on the market.
- Accommodating lens – the Crystalens has small hinges that may allow the lens to shift position in your eye as your eye focuses at different objects. Designed to help you be less dependant on glasses for reading or working on the computer
- Astigmatism-correcting (toric) lens – has the ability to improve vision without glasses for people with astigmatism.
- Aspheric Lens – new lens design which uses more advanced optical engineering to improve contrast sensitivity and visual clarity under certain circumstances.
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