If you are nearing the age for cataract surgery and want a reliable vision correction solution, premium lens implants could be a suitable option. These lens implants are also referred to as “lifestyle lens implants” because they can provide excellent vision, sometimes without the need for glasses. Before determining if these premium lens implants are right for you, it is important to discuss your lens implant options with your cataract surgeon.
As previously mentioned, several years ago patients only had the option of monofocal lens implants, which enabled vision at one distance only. Now these new implants can offer a wide spectrum of vision including near, intermediate and far vision. Premium lens implants have been helping people over the age of 40 and cataract aged patients since they became viable option. Could you possibly imagine being able to read the newspaper, drive at night or play golf without the use of glasses?
Multifocal Lens Implants
Multifocal IOL lens implants enable patients to see at near, far and intermediate distances after surgery. The 2 major brand names in this category are the The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL by Alcon. With a multifocal IOL, the central portion of the lens has a series of steps that are carved in a very precise arrangement with varying step heights and distances between steps. Each of the steps of this diffractive optic bends the incoming light differently; creating a near focus that is quite separated from the distance focus formed by the remaining refractive portion of the lens. This large separation between the two images allows for less artifacts or distortion in either of the images, providing good quality of vision at both distance and near.
Toric IOL Toric lens implants are a unique type of lens implant that are used to correct astigmatism. A Toric lens implant is NOT the only method of astigmatism correction, so consult a doctor about the current possibilities. Asymmetric steepening of the cornea or natural lens causes light to be focused unevenly, which is the main optical problem in astigmatism. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism can accompany any form of refractive error and is very common. Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, corneal relaxing incisions, laser vision correction, and special implant lenses. If a cataract patient has astigmatism and has aspirations to be glasses free after surgery, the Toric lens implant is a good option. Toric lens implants are NOT a correction option for presbyopia. The AcrySof® Toric lens implant is a popular choice for this type of lens.
Premium lens implants can be very exciting for patients that want to have a new level of spectacle freedom after cataract surgery, or with clear lens extraction. Due to the complex nature of each person’s visual system, it is difficult for a patient to make an assessment about the right lens without consulting a medical ophthalmologist.
