Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Choosing the Best Option
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) are artificial lenses that are implanted in the eye to help improve vision. They can be used to fix different vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (the inability to focus on close-up objects as you get older). There are several different types of IOLs to choose from, and the best one for you will depend on your specific eye issues and what you want to achieve with the surgery. These lenses are typically used to restore vision after the surgical removal of a cataract but can also be used (off-label) for vision correction.
### Monofocal IOLs
Monofocal IOLs have only one focal point, which means they can be set to focus on either close, medium, or distance vision. The most common choice is to set the IOL for distance vision, which means you’ll often need to wear reading glasses for seeing anything inside of arm’s length. If you were nearsighted before and could read without glasses, you may be disappointed to lose the ability to see without glasses at near if the lens is targeted for distance. If you would rather wear glasses for distance after surgery or be free of glasses altogether, discuss this with your surgeon before your surgery.
### Trifocal / Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs
Trifocal IOLs are more advanced than monofocal IOLs. They generally have three different focal points, which allow you to see clearly at distance, intermediate (like when you’re using a computer), and near (for reading). These lenses are designed to reduce or frequently eliminate your need for glasses. You may not need to wear glasses as often, or at all, as the trifocal IOL can handle a wider range of vision. These lenses can even correct astigmatism. Astigmatism can be corrected with corneal relaxing incisions (LRI/AK) as well.
### Toric IOLs
If your eye has a significant amount of astigmatism (where the cornea is shaped more like a football than a circle), a toric IOL may be your best choice. Toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism, which can affect your vision at all distances. Your eye surgeon will take measurements of your eye before the surgery to determine the best toric IOL for you. In low levels of astigmatism or irregular astigmatism, these lenses may NOT be your best choice.
### Phakic Lenses
Phakic lenses are a bit different from IOLs. Instead of replacing the natural cloudy or clear lens in your eye, they are placed in front of it. These are called Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs), and they’re mainly used to correct moderate to severe nearsightedness in people who aren’t good candidates for LASIK or other laser eye surgeries. They can also correct astigmatism.
## Choosing the Best IOL for You
When it comes to choosing the best IOL for you, there are a few things to consider:
1. **Your Vision Needs**: Think about what’s most important to you – do you want to be able to see clearly in the distance, or do you need to be able to read and use a computer without glasses? Your specific vision needs will help guide the type of IOL you choose.
2. **Your Eye Health**: Your eye surgeon will examine your eyes and take measurements to determine the best IOL for your individual eye shape and any other eye conditions you may have, like astigmatism.
3. **Your Lifestyle**: Consider how you spend your day and what activities are most important to you. If you do a lot of reading or computer work, a trifocal IOL might be the best choice. If you’re mostly focused on distance vision, a monofocal IOL might be a better fit.
4. **Your Budget**: IOLs can vary in cost, and some more advanced options like trifocal IOLs may be more expensive. Talk to your eye surgeon about your budget and see what options are available. Plan to spend about $3000/eye for multifocal implants. This cost is not covered by insurance and is above and beyond fees for the surgeon, anesthesia and facility. Some fees may be covered when medically necessary by your insurance but you should be aware of co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance. If you have no insurance or choose not to use your insurance or find that with insurance pricing, your responsibility will be more than $5500/eye, you can consider bundled cash pricing. For $5500/eye we offer a bundle including anesthesia, surgeon fees and facility fees as well as the preoperative examinations, tests and lens calculation. We also include 90 days of post operative care and when necessary (at the discretion of the surgeon) enhancements to allow you to achieve your best personal vision.
## The Surgery Process
Getting an IOL implanted is a relatively quick and painless procedure. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
1. **Eye Exam**: Your eye surgeon will do a thorough exam to measure your eye and determine the best IOL for you. Measurements may include any or all of the following
- biometry (measuring the curvature of your cornea and the length of your eye),
- topography,
- OCT of the macula to detect subtle issues
- Fundus Photography
2. **Surgery**: During the surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision in your eye (less than 1/4 of an inch) and emulsify and carefully remove your natural lens. We will then insert the new IOL and position it correctly.
3. **Recovery**: After the surgery, you’ll need to use eye drops for 4 weeks to help your eye heal. Most people can return to their normal activities within a day or two, but it may take 2 weeks for your vision to fully stabilize.
## Conclusion
Choosing the right IOL can make a big difference in your vision and quality of life after cataract or refractive surgery. By considering your specific vision needs, eye health, lifestyle, and budget, you and your eye surgeon can work together to find the best IOL option for you. With the right IOL, you can enjoy clear, sharp vision without the need for glasses or contacts.