Why Advanced Technology IOLs are Worth It
Are cataracts getting in the way of your everyday activities and hobbies? It may be time to have them removed.
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon removes your cloudy natural lens and implants a synthetic lens to replace it called an intraocular lens (IOL). The intraocular lens helps you see clearly.
Although there are many different kinds of IOLs, two of the most common are monofocal lenses and advanced, premium technology IOLs. If you want to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts after cataract surgery, consider an advanced technology IOL.
Keep reading to learn about advanced technology IOLs, how they differ from monofocal lenses, and why they’re worth it.
What are Advanced Technology IOLs?
Advanced technology IOLs or premium IOLs are lens implants that provide a broader range of vision than a standard IOL. Many patients achieve greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery with premium IOLs.
Although there’s no guarantee that you won’t need visual aids if you choose an advanced technology IOL, there’s an increased chance you’ll considerably minimize your dependence on them.
Advanced Technology IOLs vs. Monofocal IOLs
Advanced technology IOLs are lenses with special features beyond what a monofocal IOL offers. Unlike a standard lens implant, advanced technology IOLs can address vision problems like presbyopia and astigmatism in addition to nearsightedness and farsightedness.
A monofocal lens implant can only restore vision at one distance: close up or far away. That’s because it’s set to one refractive power throughout the entire lens.
If you choose the ability to see at a distance, you’ll have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at near and intermediate distances. Monofocal IOLs are usually the only ones covered by insurance companies, including Medicare. However, the long-term benefits of advanced technology IOLs are well worth the out-of-pocket costs.
Reasons to Consider Advanced Technology IOLs
Various premium IOLs offered at Desert Vision Center can help you see better than ever. They include:
PanOptix Trifocal IOL
The PanOptix trifocal IOL is the first and only FDA-approved trifocal IOL. It delivers clear vision at all distances and eliminates many common drawbacks in other lens implants.
The PanOptix trifocal IOL delivers excellent vision in three zones of focus: near, intermediate, and far. Even with other advanced technology IOLs, you might still require visual aids, and your vision may be unfocused and blurry.
The PanOptix trifocal lens offers seamless, clear vision at all three distances: near, far, and intermediate (in the middle). Other multifocal IOLs often have two focal points.
The first focal point is approximately 80 cm from your eyes for crisp distance vision, and the other at around 40 cm for sharp, up close sight. However, the PanOptix IOL differs because it has a third focal point.
This point is 60 centimeters between the two standard focal points at 40 centimeters for near vision and 80 centimeters for far away vision. The 60-centimeter focal point optimizes mid-range vision.
This is made possible by the use of proprietary PanOptix ENLIGHTEN Optical Technology. ENLIGHTEN creates the ideal intermediate vision focal point.
The focal point allows for clear mid-range vision without compromising far-away and near vision.
Vivity IOL
Vivity lenses are the only non-diffractive extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs. Extended depth of focus means that these IOLs are not set to see at a single focal point. Instead, they offer a comprehensive range of vision.
The reason behind the success of the Vivity IOL lies in its proprietary non-diffractive X-Wave technology. X-Wave technology uses all available light to deliver a continuous, extended range of vision.
A continuous, extended range of vision enables you to experience high-quality vision, whether in bright or dim lighting.
Thanks to X-Wave technology, patients attain crystal clear distance and intermediate vision.
The Vivity IOL can also correct presbyopia, which makes it more challenging to see things up close. Presbyopia often starts in your early to mid-40s.
It happens when your once flexible natural lens hardens and loses its ability to focus on close-up objects. You might have to hold your smartphone, magazines, and books farther away to be able to read them. If seeing things in front of you is difficult, you may have presbyopia.
With the Vivity IOL, you won’t rely on glasses or contacts when performing most routine tasks, such as scrolling through your phone. However, you may require visual aids when reading fine print, like in a newspaper or on a pill bottle.
Toric IOL
Toric lenses are designed to eliminate or significantly reduce astigmatism while greatly improving near or distance vision. Astigmatism is a common refractive error.
Typically, corneas are round like a baseball. If you have astigmatism, your cornea has an egg shape like a football.
The uneven curvature of the cornea causes distorted and blurred vision at all distances. Toric IOLs are precisely aligned during cataract surgery to compensate for the irregular shape of your cornea and correct pre-existing astigmatism.
Many advanced technology IOLs are available in toric models.
Monovision
In monovision, the dominant eye is usually set for distance vision, while the non-dominant eye is set for up-close vision. Both eyes work seamlessly with your brain to deliver clear, blended vision.
Monovision decreases dependence on contact lenses or glasses for many cataract surgery patients.
See the World in Greater Clarity with Advanced Technology IOLs
Desert Vision Center is thrilled to offer advanced technology IOLs for cataract patients. Dr. Tokuhara can help you select a premium IOL that matches your needs and lifestyle to ensure you attain the best quality vision possible.
Are you interested in advanced technology IOLs? Schedule your cataract screening today at Desert Vision Center in Rancho Mirage, CA, to find out if it’s time for cataract surgery and which premium IOL suits you.