Intraocular Lens Implants which are also referred to as Intraocular Lenses or IOLs are tiny artificial lenses that are used to correct vision as part of the Cataract Surgery procedure. IOLs can also be used for certain patients who suffer from presbyopia, a condition in which the crystalline lens of the eye becomes less flexible thus losing its ability to focus on near objects.
Monofocal Lens Implants vs. Multifocal Lens Implants
The traditional lens implants that were used for some 25 years were of a type called Monofocal Lens Implants. As the name implies, Monofocal Lens Implants can only offer patients clear vision at one set distance-usually far away. Today we are able to offer patients vision correction after Cataract Surgery with Multifocal or Accommodating Lens Implants that allow patients to see at a range of distances. This technology allows us to replace the eye’s natural lens with a new, artificial lens that can help restore visual clarity for near, intermediate and distance vision with reduced dependence on eyeglasses and often not requiring them at all.
Astigmatism Correcting Toric Lens Implants
For patients who wore eyeglasses to correct astigmatism before their Cataract Surgery they may still experience blurred and distorted vision after traditional Cataract Surgery because a Monofocal IOL cannot correct astigmatism. To achieve the best quality of distance vision with a traditional IOL may still require glasses, contact lens or further surgery. If freedom from glasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. “We are now able to implant a special lens implant design called an astigmatism correcting toric lens implant making it possible to reduce or eliminate astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision”, said Joel Confino, M.D. “Toric IOLs provide significantly improved distance vision and reduce the need for corrective lenses compared to a traditional Monofocal IOL.”
Aspheric Lens Implants
“Most people do not realize that their eyes have optical distortions-called aberrations-that can cause vision problems”, said Ivan Jacobs, M.D. of Eye Care & Surgery Center.
One type of common aberration is called spherical aberration and is generally associated with vision disturbances including:
• Blurriness
• Halos
• Loss of contrast
• Poor night vision
Today at The Eye Care & Surgery Center we can implant aspheric lens implants that are designed to reduce spherical aberration resulting in increased contrast sensitivity, enhanced clarity and improved image quality especially in dim illumination or low contrast environments such as driving at dusk or on rainy foggy conditions.
Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908.789.8999.
