There are several options available to you to improve your vision and lessen your need for glasses post-operatively. Lens Options for vision correction include:
Monofocal Lens
This lens is used to give either excellent distance or near vision (without glasses) in patients with minimal or no astigmatism. If both eyes need cataract surgery, “monovision” approach can be planned to decrease the need for post operative glasses. The surgery and lens are typically covered by insurance.
Toric Lens
This “premium” lens corrects astigmatism and gives clear vision at either distance or near. If both eyes need cataract surgery, “monovision” approach can be planned to decrease the need for post operative glasses. This lens is not covered by insurance and there is an additional fee for this lens package.
Multifocal Lens
The goal of this “premium” lens is to provide excellent distance vision and restore some or all of your eye’s ability to focus at near, decreasing the need for glasses at these distances. This lens is not covered by insurance and there is an additional fee for this lens package.
Monovision
The ophthalmologist could implant IOLs with two different powers, one for near vision in one eye, and one for distance vision in the other eye. This combination of a distance eye and a reading eye is called monovision and can decrease your dependence on glasses.
Many patients who wear contacts or who have had refractive surgery have monovision and are happy with it. Your surgeon will discuss and demonstrate this option to see if it might work for you.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, the clear dome part of the eye. This irregularity makes your vision blurry.
There are several ways astigmatism can be corrected:
- Glasses
- Limbal Relaxing Incisions Limbal relaxing incisions are small cuts or incisions the ophthalmologist makes into your cornea to make its shape rounder and make your vision clearer. This is frequently done at the time of cataract surgery to improve uncorrected post operative vision. It can be performed with a blade or with a laser.
- Toric Lens This “premium” lens corrects astigmatism and gives clear vision at either distance or near. If both eyes need cataract surgery, “monovision” approach can be planned to decrease the need for post operative glasses.
- Other Options Other corrective options that are available include refractive laser surgery (LASIK or PRK) and contact lenses.
