If you require cataract removal surgery, choosing the right lens implant is an important decision for you and your doctor. The lens implant selection is the basis for optimum vision enhancement post surgery, and lifestyle improvement. In the past, patients had limited lens implant options to meet their visual needs. Today’s lens technologies now offer optimum natural-vision with premium lenses. The two main premium lenses are Toric and multifocal/extended depth of focus lenses. Toric lenses match the uneven curvature of the cornea precisely to deliver unparalleled distance vision. Multifocal lenses focus light from distance, intermediate and near on the retina simultaneously and therefore provide vision at far and near.

In order to determine which lens is right for you, consider your lifestyle, and ask yourself: Do you focus more on near or far objects? How important is color and contrast sensitivity to you? How often do you drive at night? It is also important to discuss your goals following the procedure, to ensure your expectations are realistic. Keep in mind, that your vision will continue to change over time and may require additional care in the future. After considering all of these factors, your doctor will recommend a lens implant, or perhaps a combination of lenses that should provide you with the visual outcome you desire following cataract surgery.

Cataract or lens replacement surgery involves replacing your current lens with a new intraocular lens, called an IOL. While there are many IOL options, our specialists will help you choose the lens that will accommodate your unique lifestyle and vision needs. Whether you are a sports enthusiast or a crossword puzzle fan, your favorite activities and occupation play a huge part in your IOL decision.

Start by asking yourself these questions: Number One: How important is it to reduce my dependency on glasses? If you constantly misplace or break your glasses, or would strongly prefer to not wear them, then you may want to consider an IOL that will reduce your dependency on glasses. Number Two: For which activity would I be most willing to wear glasses? Maybe you love to golf and want to see far down the range. So, you wouldn’t mind having to wear glasses for activities that require you to have perfect clarity up-close. Number Three: What is my most important daily activity? Think about what kind of vision would help you participate in the activity more fully. If you often drive at night, you may want to choose an IOL that will reduce glare or halos around lights. Or perhaps you are an avid reader: an IOL that will enable you to read small text may be the best option for you. The IOL you choose can make all the difference in how you experience your favorite or most frequent activities. Talk with us today, and we will help guide you to the IOL that fits your daily life.

Many people are interested in surgical methods to reduce their dependence upon eyeglasses and contact lenses. Laser eye surgery, such as LASIK, is the most common way to correct nearsightedness if one is under the age of 40. However, for patients over the age of 50, laser surgery by itself may be less advantageous. By this time of life, any method such as contact lenses, LASIK, or a conventional artificial lens implant that corrects your distance vision will not work for reading up close without glasses.

However, a multifocal or an extended depth of focus lens implant can allow patients older than 50 to improve their focus both far and near without glasses. For this reason, people over the age of 50 wearing strong prescription glasses may elect to have artificial lens implants in order to see much better without glasses. However, with no cataract present, health insurance covers none of the costs of the surgery. Because the natural lens must still be removed before implanting the new lens, the procedure is performed in the same way as for cataract surgery. Thus, patients electing to have lens implant surgery to reduce their need for glasses will never have to worry about developing cataracts later on in life.