More About Premium Intraocular Lens Options
In June’s first blog, we discussed the difference between monofocal and multifocal or accommodating intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract surgery. At Central Valley, we’re excited by the continuing advances made with today’s IOLs. Today’s IOLs are a far cry from the single vision, monofocal lenses that were the only option just over 20 years ago. Today, our patients from Stockton, Modesto, Manteca, and the surrounding areas can choose from different IOL options that allow them to see clearly at all distances. For many, this eliminates the need for ever wearing eyeglasses. This can be life-changing for someone who has worn glasses his or her entire life and is suddenly free of them in the later stages of their life.
In June’s second blog, let’s get into premium IOLs a bit more.
What are the benefits of multifocal and accommodating IOLs?
Multifocal IOLs and accommodating IOLs are also sometimes called “premium IOLs,” as they cost more than monofocal IOLs. But most patients feel the benefits of these IOLs are more than worth the extra cost.
Premium IOLs allow you to see at all distances without glasses. This means you won’t have to constantly have glasses with you to correct for whichever option you chose not to correct with monofocal IOLs. Premium IOLs also now can correct for astigmatism and presbyopia, actually improving the patient’s refractive vision from what it was before the cataracts were removed.
How do I know if multifocal IOLs are right for me?
As mentioned above, multifocal IOLs allow you to see at all distances without eyeglasses, or with very limited need for eyeglasses, such as with very small type in up-close work. Multifocal IOLs are not covered by the basic Medicare options; they cover monofocal lenses. Most people feel the upgrade is well worth the added cost. Some have better vision with these lenses than they ever enjoyed in their life before they developed cataracts. This is because these new multifocal and accommodating lenses give them perfect or near perfect vision at all distances, and most people formerly had some degree of refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) in their younger days.
Our team at Central Valley Eye Medical will walk you through your options for multifocal and accommodating IOLs. We’ll also discuss monofocal IOLs and why some people opt for them rather than multifocal lenses.
Really the only people who would not be right for multifocal or accommodating IOLs would be those who need precise, perfect vision at distance. Think of pilots or other occupations that require perfect distance vision.
How long will it take to adjust to multifocal or accommodating IOLs?
There is a period of adjustment as your brain adjusts to the new optical system created with your new multifocal or accommodating lens or lenses. This can take a few days to a few weeks. But most patients are very happy with their end results. In fact, nationwide patients have consistently reported satisfaction rates (would opt to have the same surgery and same lens placed again) of from 94 to 98 percent with multifocal and accommodating IOLs.
If you’re coping with increasingly cloudy vision due to cataract development, there’s no reason to not have cataract surgery as soon as possible. As we mentioned in June’s first blog, the success rate for these procedures worldwide is over 99 percent! Call us at Central Valley Eye Medical, (800) 244-9907, and schedule a consultation for cataract replacement surgery.
Posted in: Cataracts
