CATARACT IMPLANT

During cataract surgery, your physician will replace your natural lens with an intraocular lens or IOL. Today there are multiple types of IOLs, each delivering a different performance profile based on how the lens is designed. Here are the basics about the three main types of IOLs.

STANDARD MONOFOCAL IOLs

A monofocal IOL is a fixed lens (it doesn't move) that is designed to deliver improved vision at just one distance (usually far). The potential drawback is that after surgery, you will probably need to wear glasses for near vision, even if you didn't wear glasses before surgery.

MULTIFOCAL IOLs

A multifocal lens uses multiple visual zones that are built into the lens itself to provide vision at various distances. It's almost like the rings of a target, with some rings being dedicated to distance vision, while others are used for near vision, similar to having a bifocal or trifocal lens inside the eye. Some patients have difficulty adjusting to seeing this way. Additionally, intermediate vision (subjects at arm's length) can be compromised because the technology is designed mainly for near and distance vision, at the exclusion of intermediate vision.

ACCOMMODATING IOLs

As the name implies, an accommodating lens "flexes" or "accommodates" to focus on subjects at various distances, delivering a continuous range of vision - near, intermediate and far. Crystalens® is the one and only FDA-approved accommodating lens available in the United States. More than twice the number of patients implanted with the crystalens could see all distances compared to a standard IOL.