Before coming in for an appointment with us, many of our patients feel overwhelmed and confused by the many choices available for cataract surgery.
However, there are really only a few decisions you have to make, and our surgeons will be happy to guide you through them to determine the best lens implant option for you.
Most patients have two choices when it comes to lens implants; standard lens implants or high-tech lens implants. The surgeon will make a recommendation based off of your visual goals and the current anatomy and health of your eyes. Ultimately the decision is up to you. We do our best to provide you with all the options available for your eyes.
So, to determine whether you should choose standard lens implants or high-tech lens implants, answer this question: Do you mind having to wear glasses (for distance and near vision) after having cataract surgery?
If the answer is no, then your choice is simple: have cataract surgery with a standard lens implant.
Standard lens implants are the most economical choice if you don’t mind wearing glasses, and even so, it typically provides an excellent quality of vision. In addition, some patients with standard lens implants are fortunate, and the surgery eliminates their need for glasses.
However, if the answer is yes, your goal is to become as independent from glasses as possible, a high-tech lens implant is recommended.
All of us know family members or friends who no longer need glasses after having cataract surgery. However, it’s important to understand that this isn’t always the case. Why?
Although all eye care professionals strive to give you 20/20 vision with a standard lens implant, the truth is that they are not quite as accurate as glasses, contacts, or LASIK.
When we fit you with glasses, contacts, or LASIK, we put lenses in front of your eyes. You choose the lenses you like, and then we copy your subjective response with nearly 100% accuracy.
Standard lens implants are a little more complex because we cannot ask for your feedback. Instead, we use sophisticated units to measure your eye’s length and the curvature of the front surface; these values are then placed in a formula that tells the surgeon what power lens will most likely provide your best vision.
The accuracy of modern standard lens implants is approximately 80%. And in general, because of this, you do not have an absolute choice or guarantee of distance vision.
There are two primary ways that high-tech lens implant surgery is different from standard lens implant cataract surgery: the high-tech lenses themselves and bioptics, which is the utilization of secondary procedures such as LASIK.
High-tech lens implants are designed to help you see distance, intermediate, and possibly near. There are three general types of high-tech intraocular lens implants (IOLs) that can help reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses, and each has its strengths and tradeoffs. We will discuss them with you thoroughly to help guide you in determining which has the most likelihood of achieving your goals.
For others, the benefits of laser cataract surgery with a high-technology lens implant make the most sense.
Monofocal
Correct astigmatism, giving good distance vision but you will still require reading glasses.
Multifocal
A multifocal IOL works by focusing light from a distance, intermediate, and near. It is currently the only technology that can remove one’s dependence on reading glasses, and because it’s an optical principle, every patient experiences similar near results.
There have been many generations of multifocal IOLs. The problem with the early multifocal lenses was the poor night vision that resulted from light glinting off the rings of the lens in low light. Since that time, however, many lens manufacturers have made multiple revisions of this technology to improve the quality of vision and diminish night vision disturbances.
Updegraff Laser Vision utilizes the most improved multifocal IOL technology to provide the best results available.
Toric
Another approach for patients with high degrees of astigmatism is the Toric IOL.
Astigmatism, which causes blurred vision, is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football rather than like a basketball. As a result, light entering the eye focuses on two points in the retina instead of one. A toric IOL is specifically designed to reduce or eliminate astigmatism while also improving distance vision. After it is implanted inside the eye, it compensates for the cornea’s distortion and focuses light clearly in the retina.
Others wish to explore more advanced lens technologies that correct astigmatism or reduce their dependence on reading and distance glasses.
Trifocal
Have different zones on the lens to correct different types of vision.
A lens with a single focal point, designed to correct cataracts and provide distance vision while offering enhanced image quality
| Near |  |
| Intermediate | |
| Distance |  |
| Astigmatism | |
A lens with a single focal point, designed to correct both cataracts and pre-existing astigmatism, providing distance vision
| Near | |
| Intermediate | |
| Distance | |
| Astigmatism | |
A premium lens designed to correct cataracts and presbyopia in order to provide a full range of vision for patients
| Near | |
| Intermediate | |
| Distance | |
| Astigmatism | |
A lens with a single focal point, designed to correct cataracts and provide distance vision while offering enhanced image quality
| Near | |
| Intermediate | |
| Distance | |
| Astigmatism | |
A lens with a single focal point, designed to correct cataracts and provide distance vision while offering enhanced image quality
| Near | |
| Intermediate | |
| Distance | |
| Astigmatism | |
The Vivity lens provides excellent vision when you want to see things at a distance and allows you to see well when you want to see things at an intermediate distance. Thanks to its proprietary and exclusive X-Wave technology, people that choose a Vivity lens can see well in all available light, including bright or dim lighting.
It also protects your eyes from solar UV rays and damaging blue light from tablets and other digital devices. Patients using multifocal lenses often complain about glare, halos, or starbursts after cataract surgery.
Those with the Vivity lens experience fewer side effects, making it safer for night driving. Our highly-trained, experienced eye doctors want to provide you with the most comfortable and safe option to treat your cataracts, including the Vivity lens if it’s right for you.
The Vivity lens works best for people who are looking to improve their intermediate, distance and near vision. While a person with a Vivity lens is usually comfortable reading a restaurant menu or text message, they may still need reading glasses for other close-up tasks, such as reading something with fine print or sewing.
A qualified ophthalmologist can determine if the Vivity lens is right for you.
A toric lens model is available for patients with astigmatism to ensure astigmatism is corrected during cataract surgery.
