If you have friends or family members who’ve recently undergone cataract surgery, you may have heard that your cloudy, natural lens can be replaced with a corrective one. Your cataract surgeon can help you understand the different types of corrective lenses, which are also called IOLs (intraocular lenses).
Two main factors are used to determine the type of IOL that will work best for you: One is physical, and the other is lifestyle—and your cataract surgeon can help you evaluate both.
Talk to your surgeon about any medical conditions you may have, like macular degeneration or glaucoma. Your cataract surgeon will also assess the physical characteristics of your eye, such as pupil size, to ascertain which types of lenses would be most appropriate.
Patients in South Florida can rely on the expertise of Dr. Andrew Shatz, an ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon who has performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries. Whether you’re in Weston, Plantation, or Fort Lauderdale, up the coast in Palm Beach or Boca Raton, or down in the Magic City of Miami, Dr. Shatz and his caring staff will work with you to help you decide what type of IOL will meet your medical needs and enhance your lifestyle.
Monofocal IOLs: Lenses that Will Go the Distance, from Palm Beach All the Way to Miami
A monofocal lens is designed to correct a specific vision problem, like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Normally, a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) is used to improve your distance vision. After the surgery, you may still need to wear corrective lenses to fine-tune your near vision.
Clear distance vision would be crucial to someone who drives a lot or enjoys birdwatching or fishing. On the other hand, if you’re frequently on the computer, read voraciously, or do a lot of needlework, near vision would be more important to you. Before you choose the monofocal IOL, ask your cataract surgeon about your potential visual acuity at different distances.
Multifocal IOLs: Covering Different Bases for Patients in Ft. Lauderdale, Plantation, & Weston
Like progressive-lens glasses or multifocal contact lenses, multifocal IOLs allow you to see clearly at near, middle, and far distances, with different degrees of precision. This type of lens tends to correct your near vision slightly better than your distance vision. Your cataract surgeon should be able to tell you about the benefits and drawbacks of this lens. Dr. Shatz often uses examples from your profession or favorite hobby to illustrate the capabilities of the multifocal lens.
Toric IOLs: Bringing Life into Focus in Boca Raton
For patients with astigmatism, toric IOLs can be used to correct poor focus. Dr. Shatz also offers a multifocal toric lens, which can both correct astigmatism and improve your near and distance vision.
Mix-and-Match: A Custom Combination for South Florida Patients
To meet your vision needs, your cataract surgeon may use a different type of lens in each eye. This is called “mix-and-match” or multi-vision. With his in-depth technical knowledge and extensive patient experience, Dr. Shatz is skilled at helping you decide whether a combination of IOLs might be best for your particular situation.
Every patient faces a unique set of circumstances when it comes to choosing the right corrective lens. Your cataract surgeon is your partner in this process, bringing insight and expertise to help you see your choices more clearly.
