Intraocular lens choices
A variety of IOLs may be used in both cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange. When a cataract is removed, it is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Each one has different characteristics and its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The FDA approval process for intraocular lens is among the most rigorous in the world. Rest assured that IOLs used in the U.S. have extensive testing for safety and ability to produce the desired results. No one lens is right for everyone.
Fixed Focus Monofocal IOLs are most common. They have a fixed focal point that is generally set for distance vision, so reading glasses are typically required for good near vision. These lenses have the advantage of excellent quality distance vision under a variety of lighting conditions. For patients willing to use reading glasses for near tasks, these IOLs are an excellent choice. These lenses have an excellent safety record. Recent refinements in the optical quality of these lenses allow an even higher quality of vision than before. Some lenses are available with special materials that block potentially harmful blue light. If you are having cataract surgery, these lenses are usually covered with the expense of the surgery.
Accomodating Monofocal IOLs behave much like the natural eye. These IOLs have a single focal point; however the focal point can shift. This means that objects at distance are clear when the eye focuses on them, but when the eye looks at a near object the IOL will shift its focal point to bring the near object into focus. The lens achieves this by physically moving inside the eye in response to the focusing action of the muscles of the eye.
The Toric IOL:
The Toric IOL is designed to correct for the natural existing astigmatism in the cornea. It is similar to the function of a Toric contact lens in that the Toric IOL neutralizes or compensates for the astigmatism in the cornea. So when you see through the Toric lens, your focus is sharp and clear without glasses for driving, watching TV or seeing objects far away. Individuals with the Toric IOL will need bifocal or reading glasses to see up-close.
Click here to learn more about the Acrysof TORIC Intraocular lens
Crystalens – Monofocal IOL’s
Accommodating Monofocal IOLs are used in situations where both good distance and good near vision are desired without the use of spectacles. The only FDA approved IOL of this type is called the Crystalens. Patients implanted with the Crystalens IOL generally enjoy near vision without glasses that is much better than those implanted with Fixed Focus monofocal IOLs. Vision at the intermediate distance is super with the Crystalens, making this an excellend IOL for those who spend a great deal of time on a computer or reading.
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RESTOR Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
A ReSTOR lens has highly specialized optical properties that can divide light to bring into focus at more than one point at the same time. Restor uses a different strategy to achieve good distance and near vision without glasses. This allows the eye to see both near and far, usually without glasses. Excellent results for distance and near vision have been achieved by the FDA approved lens of this type. The ReSTOR multifocal IOL uses a patented diffractive optical design to divide light into two focal zones so that near and distance objects can be seen without glasses.
Click here for more information on the ReSTOR multifocal IOL.
TECNIS MultiFocal Lenses
This lens is a wavefront-designed lens with FDA-approved claims for improved functional vision and improved night-driving simulator performance. Dr. Jenkins is proud to use the Tecnis Multifocal lens which combines the benefit of the original Tecnis monofocal lens which demonstrably reduced spherical aberration and improved contrast sensitivity in low light conditions. The lens is a “Diffractive” multifocal lens reducing the issue of decreased reading ability in dim lighting situations.
Learn more about the TECNIS Multifocal IOL
