Our Ft. Worth, Texas Eye Surgeons Answer:
What Is An IOL?
An IOL or intraocular lens Is a medical device implanted in the eye to replace the eye's natural lens. When the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded from cataracts, cataract surgery is performed in order to remove the clouded lens. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens to provide clear vision and improved color contrast. Vision correction through the use of IOLs can also be categorized as a refractive lens exchange.
Through the combination of modern medicine and advanced micro technology, artificial intraocular lenses have achieved amazing results for patients with high nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (presbyopia), and even astigmatism. For many patients in Ft. Worth, Texas, cataract surgery has improved visual accuracy and precision to that which they experienced in their youth.
What Kinds Of IOLs Are There? How Are They Different?
Monofocal IOL
Monofocal IOLs are the default choice for standard cataract surgeries across , Texas. They allow for a single vision correction, which can correct either nearsightedness or farsightedness. Although monofocals do provide better visual acuity after the surgery, and the removal of cataracts helps with color contrast, monofocal IOLs are the fallback option for patients on a particular budget or with overall good vision.
Although the eye’s natural shape is aspheric, which means not completely circular, the standard aphakic monofocal is used. Sometimes, however, an aspheric monofocal IOL for patients is used to help patients achieve better visual quality. This decision is best left up to your cataract surgeon.
Brands of monofocal IOLs:
- Tecnis Aspheric (Abbott Medical Optics)
- AcrySof IQ (Alcon)
- SofPort AO (Bausch + Lomb)
- Softec HD (Lenstec)
Patients who require prescription eyeglasses or reading glasses post cataract surgery are often those who opted for a monofocal intraocular lens. While monofocal IOLs are the starting point or default choice for a cataract surgeon, discussing all of the options with a cataract surgeon in , Texas is recommended.
Premium IOL
Alternatively, there are premium IOLs targeted for more advanced vision correction for those who want to drop prescription eyeglasses altogether. Premium IOLs correct vision for patients with a blend of nearsightedness and farsightedness. A typical presbyope often requires standard prescription eyeglasses to see at a distance, such as driving, as well as a pair of reading glasses for close-up work.
Whether you’re the type of patient with progressive eyeglasses or multifocal contact lenses, a multifocal IOL or accommodative IOL can be the ideal solution for your vision.
Multifocal Lenses
Multifocal Lenses-Clear Vision Without Glasses
Multifocal premium IOLs like ReSTOR or Tecnis multifocal lenses offer the range of close, far, and intermediate distances without requiring extra pairs of glasses or contacts, and the brain eventually will learn to cope and focus as needed. While these premium lenses aren’t as advanced as an accommodating lens, they do offer similar benefits as well as clear vision in various lighting conditions.
Multifocal IOLs correct farsightedness and nearsightedness. Depending on the needs of the patient, a multifocal IOL can become an opportunity to improve one’s vision and even avoid the need for reading glasses or progressive lenses. The two most commonly used brands of multifocal IOLs:
- Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL
- Tecnis Multifocal IOL
Acrysof IQ ReSTOR
The Acrysof IQ ReSTOR multifocals received FDA approval back in 2005 and have become a staple for cataract surgeries to help patients achieve clear vision at intermediate, far, and up close distances.
Would you do it again? More than 93 percent of patients after an Acrysof IQ ReSTOR multifocal IOL implant said they would have the same procedure performed. Not all surgeries carry such remarkable satisfactory rate!
Tecnis Multifocal IOL
Approved by the FDA since 2009, the Tecnis Multifocal IOL also offers patients clear vision under all lighting conditions, regardless of pupil size, for all distances!
Nearly 90% of patients who opted for the Tecnis Multifocal IOLs are free of eyeglasses or contact lenses after their cataract surgery.
Interested In A Premium Contact Lens? Contact Our Cataract Surgeon!
Fort Worth Hulen
Southlake
Fort Worth West 7th
Fort Worth Hulen
Southlake
Fort Worth West 7th
A Cataract Surgeon May Utilize Multifocal & Monofocal IOLs Together
Eyesight varies on an individual basis and even per eye. Due to the health and strength of each person’s vision, a cataract surgeon in , Texas may even recommend a mix of IOLs to achieve the right visual balance.
For example, a standard aspheric monofocal IOL for the dominant eye can help with driving, sports, and any distance dependent work, while a premium multifocal for the non-dominant eye can enable one to finish reading through the paper, browse the internet & email, and finish a bit of reading at the end of the day.
Although this “juggling act” might seem a bit unexpected, the convenience can outweigh the need for various pairs of eyeglasses, and the eyes will adjust to the various conditions naturally.
Accommodating Lenses
Accommodative IOL
Certain implants called accommodative lens implants may also be suitable for patients who want their new artificial lens to work naturally. Accommodative lenses work along with the eyes’ muscles using hinges to allow the eye to fixate on objects at all distances. Although every intraocular lens offers a unique set of features, accommodative IOLs grant the most adaptivity for one’s eyes.
Since cataract surgery replaces the natural lens of your eye with an artificial lens, patients will experience improvements in their vision, clarity, and color contrast regardless of the IOL they choose. As adjustments in vision can vary from every individual, accommodative intraocular lens implants are engineered with a versatile lifestyle in mind.
Accommodative IOLs are manufactured to address nearsightedness and farsightedness seamlessly to address most visual needs.
Want to learn more about accommodative IOLs? Speak to our cataract surgeon for more information. Fort Worth Hulen Southlake Fort Worth West 7th
Fort Worth Hulen
Southlake
Fort Worth West 7th