You’ve undoubtedly got loads of questions about your upcoming cataract surgery. However, for many people, the ones surrounding cataract lens options are often way down the list of priorities.
But we would argue that having a little knowledge about premium vs. standard lenses is equally as important as knowing about things like recovery, risks, and everything else surrounding the actual operation.
Why’s that? Well… You’ll be fully recovered from the operation within 6-8 weeks. But your choice of IOL will be with you for the rest of your life.
An IOL, which stands for intraocular lens, is the artificial replacement that’s fitted into your eye to replace the one affected by the cataract. The technology of IOLs has advanced incredibly over the past years. This means that there are now many different types available. Gone are the days when the only option was a monofocal lens. Today, there are ones that use the muscles of the eye to mimic natural focusing, ones that can fix astigmatism, and even ones that can have the prescription changed while in the eye.
A monofocal lens is one that provides focused vision at a single distance. For most people, this will be set to far, meaning that you can perform activities, like driving, without corrective eyeglasses or contacts. But you will have to wear them for close-up work. You can, of course, have them set to near vision if you prefer.
Fitting a monofocal lens is still the most common type, with around 90% of people in the US having them. This is because:
You obviously don’t fit into this last category, because you’re researching your choices. Right now, we’re concentrating on trifocal IOLs, such as the revolutionary Clareon PanOptix Pro, but be aware that the field is constantly evolving as new tech comes to market.
Trifocal lenses allow for focused vision at near, mid, and far distances, without the need for corrective lenses. However, they can only be fitted during laser-assisted cataract surgery. This is a newer procedure than a traditional cataract operation. But when we say newer, it’s been around since being FDA-approved in 2010, and provides the increased accuracy needed to implant premium lenses, such as trifocal IOLs.
The benefits of clear vision at all distances can’t be overstated. Imagine being able to:
It’s these life-changing reasons that more and more people decide the extra cost of laser-assisted surgery and a premium IOL is worth it. Especially as Medicare or insurance will still fund the amount of a traditional procedure with a monofocal lens—all you need to do is pay the difference.
In the past, trifocal lenses had some challenges. After all, fitting three prescriptions within a small lens was always going to be tricky. Issues with glare, halos, and starbursts, while not common, needed to be overcome. Happily, technology has now entered this era, with the aforementioned Clareon PanOptix Pro being given FDA approval at the back end of 2023, as well as other advanced options that your surgeon can discuss with you.
If such visual freedom is something that appeals, you’re going to need to find a surgeon with the facilities and expertise to perform the operation. Even though cataract operations are the most commonly carried out surgery in the US, those carrying out laser-assisted ops and fitting trifocal lenses are still not the norm.
Eyesight is probably the most important of all the senses. Discussing your suitability for a premium lens is the first step, and partnering with the right surgeon for your cataract operation—especially if a life without eyeglasses appeals—is crucial.
https://www.bestcataractsurgeonreviews.com/ is strategically designed to help you do this. Simple to use, bang-up to date, and—best of all—it’s completely free to use. Visit today and take the first step towards the best vision of your life…
