Premium Intraocular Lenses and the Advantages of Each

The ability to see well is one of the greatest privileges of life. Our vision allows us to experience magnificent views, thrilling films, and the smiles of our loved ones. As we age, however, we all develop cataracts, which cause our vision to blur and fade, and if we live long enough, most of us will need to have them treated. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans aged 40 and older, and over half of Americans will have cataracts by the age of 75. 

Thankfully, cataracts are curable through surgical means. Vision correction surgery with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant is a popular procedure that many people choose to help permanently improve their vision. Many people opt for a Refractive Lens Exchange procedure, which is a more proactive surgery that aims at avoiding cataracts altogether, replacing the lens before cataracts are even able to form. So, what is an Intraocular Lens and how does it work?

An intraocular lens implant is a small, artificial lens that replaces the natural eye lens which is removed during cataract surgery. Our natural lenses focus light that enters the eye, helping us to see, and they are clear for the first several decades of life. With time, the natural lens becomes cloudy, causing things to look hazy and blurry. IOLs work in the same way as a natural lens, with one major exception: once an IOL is in place, the focus it provides does not change over time and they do not become cataracts in the future. They are made of acrylic or other plastic compositions and are often infused with a special material to help protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. 

IOLs come in different strengths, or focusing powers customized to your visual needs. You may need near focus for things such as a cellphone or for reading, intermediate focus for a dashboard or a desktop computer, and/or distance focus for activities like driving or attending sporting events. During your comprehensive evaluation at SightTrust Eye Institute, the length and shape of your eyes and the curve of your corneas are measured to help determine your appropriate IOL’s focusing power.

At SightTrust Eye Institute, we offer four different IOL implant options to meet our patient’s individual vision goals: 

• Monofocal – The monofocal lens focuses on distance vision, but glasses will still be needed for near and intermediate vision. 
• Toric Monofocal – Toric monofocal lenses offer the same distance vision focusing power as the monofocal by itself, but with the added benefit of astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea) correction.
  • AcrySof® Toric is a terrific option to reduce astigmatism while at the same time providing excellent distance or near vision.  It can even be used to provide one eye with distance vision while the other eye is focused for near tasks, a treatment called monovision.
• Extended Depth of Focus – Extended depth of focus lenses give patients distance and intermediate vision, along with astigmatism correction, though glasses will still be needed for near vision such as reading. This type of lens may have benefits over trifocal lenses for certain patients, such as those who drive a lot at night. 
  • Vivity is the first-of-its-kind, Extended Vision Intraocular Lens (IOL), that uses X-WAVE™ technology to reduce your dependence on glasses. Vivity enables high-quality vision at far and intermediate ranges as well as functional up-close vision. The lens helps reduce the need for reading glasses that occurs with age. The lenses have been shown to improve both intermediate and near vision in those undergoing cataract or refractive lens replacement surgery. 
• Multifocal / Trifocal – These lenses have multiple focusing powers on the lens, capable of bringing into focus objects that are at a far, mid-range, or close distance. Trifocal lenses can focus at all distances and are the most advanced version of these lenses. Glasses may occasionally still be needed for near vision.
  • AcrySof®IQ PanOptix® Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) is the first approved trifocal lens replacement for cataract or lens replacement surgery. PanOptix is clinically shown to deliver exceptional near, intermediate and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery.
  • The Tecnis Synergy offers a wide range of vision from near through distance, reducing the need for glasses for most tasks.

There are so many fantastic IOL options for every vision need. One of the best parts of IOLs is that, unlike the natural lens, the IOL will not cloud up over your lifetime, so once you have had a cataract or refractive lens replacement surgery procedure, you will never develop cataracts or need to repeat this surgery! If you think you could benefit from an IOL, please contact our office so we can help you regain the vision you deserve. Contact us at (877) 878-7890 / info@sighttrust.com

Sources: 

https://www.sighttrust.com/intraocular-lens-sunrise/
https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/intraocular-lenses/
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-iol-implants
https://www.heartoftexaseye.com/blog/iol-implants/
https://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statistics#:~:text=Q%3A%20How%20many%20people%20in,of%20all%20Americans%20have%20cataracts.