Posted by: North Georgia Eye Associates in Cataracts
If you’re having cataract surgery and you have an active lifestyle, you might want to consider choosing a premium lens. Part of the cataract surgery process involves choosing an intraocular lens, or IOL, to replace your natural lens, which is removed during the procedure.
There are different kinds of IOLs, but premium IOLs are the most advanced type of IOLs and have a number of different benefits. Your eye doctor will help you choose the right type for you and your lifestyle.
Keep reading to learn which premium lens is right for your active lifestyle!
What is Cataract Surgery and IOLs?
Cataract surgery is the only way to treat cataracts and improve vision. This is accomplished by removing your entire natural lens that has become cloudy due to cataracts.
However, without a lens, you would not be able to see. So, during cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon also replaces your natural lens with an IOL.
IOLs come in different varieties, but only one type is considered standard and included with the cost of surgery— the monofocal lens. Monofocals are lenses that can help you see at just one set distance, so if you have presbyopia, you’ll still need to use reading glasses to see up close and maybe even regular glasses or contact lenses.
However, premium IOLs can do so much more and provide you with greater visual freedom.
What Are Premium IOLs?
Premium IOLs cost more than standard monofocals, which are usually covered by insurance along with cataract surgery. In exchange, they offer you much better vision after cataract surgery.
Sometimes, premium IOLs are called freedom IOLs because they can give you more freedom, unburdened by reading glasses and other visual aids. In addition to reducing the need for visual aids altogether, they also offer clearer vision at several distances, so you can see well no matter where you are or what you’re doing!
What Are My Premium IOL Options?
There are many premium IOL options to choose from, such as:
Toric IOL
A toric IOL is designed to correct astigmatism. Depending on the amount of astigmatism you have, your eye doctor may recommend choosing a toric IOL to provide you with the best vision outcome.
Crystalens
The crystalens is an accommodative IOL. This means the lens mimics the way your natural lens works, thickening when you’re focusing up close and thinning out again when you relax.
The crystalens is a great choice if you want your vision to feel very natural.
ReStor IOL
The ReStor IOL is a multifocal lens. The lens is divided into sections that alternate between two refractive powers— one to see up close and one to see at a distance.
When wearing the lenses, your eye is trained to look through the right part of the lens, which best helps you see at whatever distance your vision is focusing.
Vivity IOL
The Vivity IOL is an extended depth of focus lens. That means instead of letting you see at two set focal points from two different refractive powers, it lets you see within a set range.
It’s designed like a multifocal lens, but the division between the different refractive powers is blended using patented X-wave technology. This also makes the lens non-diffractive, meaning light doesn’t split when it hits it— instead, it bends.
It also reduces visual aberrations, making the lens a great choice for patients concerned about their night vision after cataract surgery, as it reduces glare.
PanOptix Trifocal IOL
The PanOptix Trifocal IOL is similar to a multifocal lens, but instead of two refractive powers, it’s divided into three refractive powers— one to see up close, one to see far away, and one to see at a middle distance. This allows you to see exceptionally well up close and at a middle distance, making it an excellent choice for patients who work on a computer or use electronic screens a lot.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is one of the most advanced premium IOLs. Its unique design makes it the only IOL that can be adjusted after you heal from cataract surgery.
It’s implanted like any other IOL during cataract surgery but about two weeks after surgery, the lens is adjusted using a UV light in order to change its shape to fit your exact vision. You’ll have multiple adjustment sessions so you can test drive your vision to make sure it’s perfect for you before the final power of the lens is locked in.
The lens itself also has an extended depth of focus, so in addition to more precisely correcting your vision, it also allows you to see within a range instead of just at one distance!
Choosing the Best Lens For Your Lifestyle
There are a lot of options to choose from, but don’t feel overwhelmed! Your cataract surgeon will help you narrow down your choices by discussing what you want most from cataract surgery and recommending what lens may work best for your lifestyle.
If you’re active, any of these lenses may work great for you. The most fitting choice for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your hobbies and budget.
Do you want to learn more about why premium IOLs can be a great choice for those with active lifestyles? Schedule an appointment at North Georgia Eye Associates in Braselton, GA, today!
