When you get cataract surgery, your cataract is removed by removing the natural lens of the eye. If you’re looking for a solution that could reduce your dependence on glasses after cataract surgery, a premium IOL may be right for you.
Consider several things, including the expense, your individual needs, and the kind of premium IOL you want. Keep reading to find out more about premium IOLs!
Monofocal Lens
If you don’t mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery, a monofocal lens may be worth considering. Monofocal IOLs are considered standard, basic IOLs.
This lens is composed of one uniform surface that’s set to a specific refractive power. Some are designed to help you see better up close, while others are designed to help you see at a distance.
The most common way to wear monofocals is to have one lens set for up-close vision in one eye and one for seeing far away in your other eye. Doing this is called monovision, and it helps patients see decently at most distances, although they still may need reading glasses to see up close.
Because the monofocal lens is a standard intraocular lens, it’s the only IOL that most insurance plans cover along with cataract surgery.
Premium IOLs
Premium IOLs are designed to help you see even better than standard monofocals, with many designed to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is a common age-related condition that makes it harder to focus up close.
Premium lenses can often reduce or eliminate the need for seeing aids for presbyopia. They come in many varieties, but here are a few we offer at Shepherd Eye Center:
Multifocal Lens
Multifocal lenses are made up of segments that alternate between refractive powers. Multifocal IOLs usually have alternating rings that stack one ring set to see up close and one ring set to see far away on top of each other, extending out from the center of the lens.
Wearing a multifocal lens trains your brain to look out of the right part of the lens depending on how close an object is. These lenses can provide sharp up-close vision and may eliminate the need for reading glasses.
Vivity Extended Depth of Focus Lens
An extended depth of focus lens like the Vivity IOL allows you to see within a broader range of distances. With the Vivity IOL, patients can see well at both intermediate and far distances and have good up-close vision without needing glasses.
PanOptix Trifocal Lens
The PanOptix trifocal IOL is the only trifocal lens available. Patients can see clearly up close, at intermediate distances, and far away with this premium lens.
Many patients that choose this IOL reduce the need to wear glasses.
Toric IOL
Toric lenses are the only IOL that’s specifically designed to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery. Most premium lenses are also available in a toric model for patients with astigmatism.
Choosing the Best IOL for You
Whether you should choose a premium IOL depends on what you want to get out of cataract surgery. If you don’t want to spend any money and don’t mind wearing glasses, you may be happy with a standard monofocal IOL.
But if you want clearer vision and reduced dependence on glasses, a premium IOL may be for you. Make sure to discuss your options with your eye doctor. They’ll help you find the best IOL for your visual needs and lifestyle.
Are you looking for more information about premium IOLs and cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center in Las Vegas, NV, today!
