Lens Implant Options

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a tiny, lightweight, clear disk placed in the eye during cataract surgery.  An IOL replaces the focusing power of the eye's natural lens.




An IOL may be placed either in front of or behind the iris. Behind the iris is the most frequent placement site. Soft, foldable lenses can be inserted through a small incision which shortens recovery time following surgery.

These are very exciting times for cataract surgeons and their patient's faced with cataracts. Innovative lens implant technology combined with refractive surgery techniques provides the cataract patient with options for vision correction that can significantly enhance an individual's quality of life. Dr. Singer offers the most effective and safest of these innovative options.

Three Types of IOLs Currently Available

Standard Monofocal IOL
This type of lens provides clear vision at a single fixed focus, usually distance vision. Patients with this type of IOL usually need glasses for the correction of their near vision, intermediate vision, or in many instances, both.

Accommodating IOL
The Accommodating IOL is the only lens that is designed to provide a continuous range of vision for distance, intermediate, near and everywhere in between. This lens is designed to flex inside the eye (similar to your natural lens) using the same focusing muscle as your natural lens. This enables the eyes to automatically focus to provide a full range of distance, intermediate and near vision, thereby reducing your dependency on glasses or contact lenses after surgery.

Multifocal IOL
This type of IOL divides incoming light into distance, near and intermediate focus. Although this type of IOL may provide better reading vision than an accommodating IOL, the trade-off is that some patients may notice rings around lights when driving at night. However, as the eye adjusts to the lens, the visual impression of rings may lessen or go away over time.


Visit the Presbyopia section of the Eye Surgery Education Council web site for more information and informative videos.