An intraocular lens, or IOL, is the artificial replacement lens implanted when a patient’s natural lens has been surgically removed during cataract surgery. A wide variety of replacement lenses are available to cataract patients, each offering its own advantages for post-surgery vision.
The most effective lens to use depends on the patient’s preferences and particular vision goals. Goals for vision differ according to individual occupations and lifestyles. IOLs often eliminate the need for glasses or contacts after cataract surgery, conveniently providing most patients with clear vision.
Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
Multifocal intraocular lenses are designed to correct vision at varying distances. They are appealing to individuals who would prefer not to require eyeglasses or contact lenses after surgery, or to require corrective lenses only for certain activities.
Toric IOLs
Up until now, patients with astigmatism did not have the same opportunities as other cataract patients to have their vision corrected with available IOLs.
Typically, astigmatic patients would require additional surgical procedures, such as LASIK, to correct their vision after cataract surgery. If the patient did not want to undergo another surgical procedure, the only option for correction would be the use of either contact lenses or glasses to address their astigmatism.
Toric IOLs are specially designed to correct for astigmatism when implanted during cataract surgery, offering complete vision correction as a result of one surgical procedure.
