Types of Lens

With time, many types of variations have developed in artificial lens. These lenses were specifically designed to replace a patient’s faulty lens to the artificial lens known as ‘Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) in many cornea related surgeries. The lens makers used to develop the IOLs from a thermal plastic but this material had inherent restrictions for microsurgery. Today the IOLs are made out of acrylics, a material that offers more pliable, better plasticity and stability and provides superior control for the eye surgeons during microsurgery. The eye surgeon is an expert on all available lenses and will guide the patient to choose the ideal lens after evaluating patient’s health and needs.

There are different types of IOLs used for cataract surgery, they are as follows:

Monofocal Lens Implants

The most common IOLs are the Monofocal Lens Implants that have been used for cataract surgery. They have been around the longest and with time their quality of material and design continue to improve. Their function, however remains constant. These lenses provide equal power in regions and clear focus, thus producing excellent vision from a determined distance.

Most patients personally prefer lenses that is focused for a far-away point and for this matter, the Monofocal IOL is an excellent choice, because it provides a clear vision from a distance, but for near-vision, those patients need their reading glasses. In some cases, a few numbers of patients choose distance vision for one lens while for the other lens, they choose near vision also called Monovision and rely on their brain’s natural tendency adjust according to their needs.

The monofocal lens also helps in improving vision issues such as color contrast, glare, haloes, and night vision.

 

Multifocal Lens Implants

A single lens providing multiple functions. These lenses provide a variety of different power and multiple zones of clear vision, all within a single zone. These lenses are specifically designed to patient’s vision concerning vision from long, intermediate and near distances. After the implantation of multifocal lens, many patients can read fine print as well as see well from a distance. Results may vary from person to person, depending on each individual’s eyes and IOL choice, but the majority with multifocal lens implants achieve excellent levels of clarity in all regions. Minor issues like rings and halos can occur, and your eye surgeon will discuss these concerns with you to help you understand all aspects of your options.

Accommodating Lens Implants

Accommodating Lens Implants focus on both far and near vision. These lenses once implanted accommodates itself to the shape of the eye naturally, allowing the patient to view both, far and intermediate distances without the aid of glasses. Only for fine print and micro tasks does the patient need glasses.

Toric Lens Implants

Toric lens are specifically designed for patients having astigmatism (an eye condition that features patient’s cornea having an uneven arc or curvature). These IOLs demand to be positioned in a precise configuration depending on the patient’s vision correction requirements. These lens implants change the eye’s shape to help patients see well.

Accommodating IOLs also have the flexibility that allow the new lens to move, which helps the patient to look at objects that are closer in distance.

The procedure requires micro incisions to alter the cornea’s shape. In some cases, patients having severe astigmatism require a combination of both processes i.e. incisions and implants. After the process, the need to wear the glasses for distance vision is reduced.

Aspheric IOLs

These lenses are similar to Accommodating IOLs. Aspheric lens are designed for those whose cornea is in an unusual shape or have large pupils. In some case, few have stated difficulty to see at night or in other low-light conditions.

Trifocal Lens

Patients concerned with three different types of vision issues i.e. distance, intermediate, and near vision can choose trifocal lens. These Trifocal Lens are specifically designed to cater all these three vision issues through one single lens. The eye surgeon will guide you according to your eye condition.