IOL Options
Standard IOL
A standard monofocal IOL corrects for a single distance. Most patients chose to set the eye either for far distance or near work. A discussion with the surgeon can help guide a patient to the best decision for that individual.
Some patients with cataracts in both eyes chose the option of monovision. This is when one eye is set for far distance while the other is set for near, reducing the dependence on glasses significantly. Not everyone is tolerant of monovision. This involves a thorough discussion prior to surgery.
Mini monovision is a compromise between mono vision (described above) and single distance vision. With mini monovision, one eye is set for far distance and the other eye is set for an intermediate distance (approximately an arm’s reach). This reduces glasses dependence for many things, but reading glasses are still required to do near work. Because the difference between the two eyes is small, it is more widely tolerated by patients than full monovision.
Toric IOL
Toric IOLs are premium lenses that reduce corneal astigmatism. Corneal astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea is irregular. Many doctors use the analogy of a football shaped cornea (one with astigmatism) versus a basketball shaped cornea (one without astigmatism) to help illustrate this concept. A Toric IOL has the power required to reduce this astigmatism built into the lens, allowing for greater glasses independence. The effect of uncorrected astigmatism on vision is blurring or distortion. If astigmatism is present, and not reduced during surgery, the astigmatism can still be corrected in glasses or contact lenses.
Toric IOLs come in monofocal, extended depth, and multifocal lens variations. The monofocal version gives a single focal distance as described above, but with astigmatism reduction. The other versions are described below.
Multifocal IOL
Multifocal IOLs are premium lenses which allow for both far distance and near vision in a single lens. These lenses can very successfully minimize glasses dependence. Unfortunately, not all patients are candidates for this type of lens. There are some optical compromises to these lenses to get the range out of glasses, which will be thoroughly discussed for all patients considering this lens. A detailed examination and discussion with the surgeon is necessary to determine which patients are candidates.
Extended Depth of Focus IOL
Extended Depth of Focus IOLs are the newer generation of the multifocal IOLs. These premium lenses allow for far distance through intermediate zone vision in a single lens. Typically, this ranges from things far away through approximately computer and tablet distance and includes larger print near work, without glasses. The side effect profile is quite minimal with this type of lens and it may be offered to more patients than the multifocal lenses. This lens will give a greater degree of glasses independence than the standard, but patients should expect to still wear a low power pair of reading glasses for very small print. Again, a detailed examination and discussion with the surgeon is necessary to determine which patients are candidates.
Accommodating IOL
Accommodating IOLs are premium lenses which allow an increased range of vision at different distances. This lens can decrease the need for glasses. It is similar in goal to the multifocal lenses listed above; however, this lens works by a different mechanism and often has a slightly more limited range of glasses independence. It also has a different possible side effect profile.