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 slightly better reading vision than an accommodating IOL, it can reduce contrast sensitivity and cause glare and halos when driving at night. Therefore, the majority of our patients are not good candidates for this type of lens.
Visit the Presbyopia section of the Eye Surgery Education Council web site for more information and informative videos.
