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What Kind Of IOL Should You Choose?
Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in Cataracts
Cataract surgery is the only way to effectively deal with cataracts and treat them. It is a safe procedure that provides patients with amazing results. You may even end up with better vision than ever before!
The kind of vision you experience after cataract surgery is dependent on the type of IOL you choose. An IOL, short for an intraocular lens, is a small device that replaces your natural lens.
This is necessary because cataracts cloud the entire lens. To remove the cataract, you must remove the lens.
IOLs are made from durable material, usually silicone or acrylic, and come in several different varieties listed below. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the IOL that will be best for you!
Monofocal IOLs
These are standard, run-of-the-mill IOLs. They are the lowest cost IOL available, but you need to wear glasses with them.
They only focus on a single distance, either near or far. This means you will always need to use glasses for doing things like driving or for close up work like reading.
Some patients choose a method called monovision with their monofocal IOLs. With monovision, each eye gets corrected for a different distance.
One eye will be for seeing things up close, while the other is only corrected for far vision. It can take some practice to learn how to switch between eyes and access both near and distance vision. But it is still fairly limited and many people are not able to get used to it.
Multifocal IOLs
First, on the list of premium IOLs are multifocal IOLs. These lenses work in a way that’s similar to trifocal lenses but inside the eyes.
Different zones in the form of rings focus light differently. Depending on how you are looking through them, you can change the focus between near and far.
Accommodating IOLs
Accommodating IOLs take premium IOLs a step further by how they move inside of your eye. An accommodating IOL moves inside the eye most like how a natural lens does.
This provides smoother transitions between focal distances than multifocal IOLs. Some people report that the close vision of accommodating IOLs is not as clear as multifocal lenses.
Aspheric IOLs
Recently, aspheric IOLs have been gaining popularity. While traditional IOLs are more rounded and symmetrical, aspheric IOLs are closer to the shape of a lens.
Aspheric IOLs reduce the overall occurrence of certain high order visual aberrations.
Toric IOLs
Most multifocal and accommodating IOLs correct for only near or far distance vision. If you have astigmatism, the only IOL designed for astigmatism are toric IOLs.
These lenses are custom made to counteract astigmatism and must be placed into your eye in an exact way.
When choosing an IOL, it’s important to take things into account, including your lifestyle and needs. You should also discuss options with your eye doctor and get their recommendations.
Not sure which IOL would be right for you? Schedule a cataract screening at Georgia Eye Associates to discuss your options with one of our doctors in Atlanta, GA today!
Tags: Cataracts Atlanta, Cataracts Buckhead, Georgia Eye Associates, Intraocular Lens Atlanta, Intraocular Lens Buckhead
