Types of IOLs

Toric IOLs

Intraocular lenses are used during cataract surgery to replace the damaged lens of the eye with an implant that clears up and corrects vision, oftentimes leaving patients with little to no dependence on glasses. 

Until recently, patients with astigmatism did not have the same opportunities that other cataract patients have had in correcting their condition with the types of IOLs that were available. Typically, the astigmatic patient would need an additional surgical procedure, such as refractive surgery or LASIK, to correct their vision after cataract surgery. If the patient did not want to undergo another surgical procedure, the only option for correction of astigmatism would be the use of either contact lenses or glasses. 

Toric IOLs such as the Johnson & Johnson TECNIS Eyhance are specially designed to correct astigmatism along with overall vision during cataract surgery, offering complete distance vision correction. 

Multifocal IOLs

Multifocal IOLs such as the Alcon AcrySof IQ PanOptixallow for full vision correction at near, intermediate,and far distances, eliminatingthe need for eyeglasses or contact lenses for most patients. These IOLs can also correct astigmatism. The procedure to implant a multifocal IOL is performed at the conclusion of cataract surgery.These choices were not always available for cataract patients. In the past, cataract surgery only involved monofocal lenses, which could only focus on objects near or far, but could not adjust to accommodate varying distances. These patients still had to rely on glasses or contact lenses after surgery tosee clearly at all distances, especially for those older patients suffering from presbyopia.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Extended depth of focus IOLs such as the Alcon AcrySof IQ Vivity and Johnson & Johnson TECNIS Symfony allow for clear distance and intermediate vision while providing functional near vision.EDOF IOLs are a great alternative to multifocal IOLs in patients with dry eye, retinal disease, or prior refractive surgery.These IOLs are also offered as torics and can treat astigmatism.

Accommodative IOLs

Crystalens is the only FDA-approved presbyopia correcting intraocular lens (IOL) that corrects vision through accommodation. The Crystalens IOL is made with flexible silicone that has hinges on each side allowing it to move with the eye muscle, flexing and accommodating seamlessly so you can focus on the objects around you at any distance. In other words, it dynamically adjusts to your visual needs.

Accommodation is the ability to shift focus between nearby and distant objects, providing sharper vision at multiple distances in order to minimize the use of glasses. Other IOLs are unable to accommodate and those patients may require additional vision correction with glasses or contact lenses.

 

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