What Is The Perfect IOL?
If you have cataracts, your doctor may have recommended cataract surgery. This surgery removes your cataracts.
But with this choice to have cataract surgery comes another choice– what kind of IOL should you get? An IOL, or intraocular lens, is an artificial lens that replaces your natural lens.
There are many kinds of IOLs, which leads many patients to ask “which one is the best?” The answer isn’t straightforward, as no IOL is perfect for every single patient.
It depends on what your vision is like, what your needs are, and how much you’re willing to spend. Keep reading to learn some tips on choosing the right IOL for you!
Cataract Surgery
So why do you need an IOL at all? Well, to remove your cataracts, your natural lens has to be removed as well.
Cataracts form when the crystalline lens becomes clouded. This is usually a natural side effect of aging.
During cataract surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in the eye. They then use ultrasonic waves to break up the lens and remove it.
This leaves the patient without a natural lens. You need a lens to see, so it’s replaced with an artificial lens.
The IOL is first inserted through the same small incision made to remove the lens. Once inserted, the IOL unfolds and takes over as the lens.
Available Options
There are several different kinds of IOLs. These include:
The Monofocal IOL, a standard lens that has only one focusing distance. You will still need glasses with this IOL.
The Multifocal IOL, a premium lens that has rings set to different focusing distances. This allows the eye to look through different rings to see up close and far away,
The Accommodative IOL, a premium lens that thickens and flattens accordingly. This happens when the eye is focusing on nearby objects and flattens when looking far away.
This allows you to see far away and up close. Compared to the multifocal lens, you have less up close focusing power.
The Toric IOL, a premium lens designed to correct astigmatism. Toric IOLs also allow users to both up close and far away.
If you decide to get a premium lens, know that they aren’t usually covered by insurance. You should expect to pay out of pocket if you buy a premium lens. For many people, a premium IOL is worth the extra cost to not wear glasses.
Choosing the Right IOL for You
With so many different IOLs to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to get. There is no kind of IOL that’s “the best,” but there is the best option for you.
If you don’t want to spend the money on a premium IOL, monofocal lenses may work fine. If you have cataracts in both eyes, you can have a monofocal lens put in each eye.
Each monofocal lens is then set to an opposite focusing distance. This is monovision, and it allows you to see well at most distances. It’s not as powerful as a premium IOL, so you may still need reading glasses.
If you don’t want to worry about wearing reading glasses, a multifocal IOL may be best for you. If you want better vision without the strength of a multifocal, try an accommodative lens.
Wondering which IOL may be right for you? Contact Berg Feinfield in Burbank, CA to schedule a cataract appointment today!
