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Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Exploring your lens options for cataract surgery

Intraocular Lenses (often abbreviated as IOLs) play a crucial role in cataract surgery. After the cataract is removed from your eye, an IOL is implanted to replace your clouded natural lens. This small device, about one-third the size of a dime, is designed to restore your ability to perceive light, color, and dimension, effectively correcting your vision.

Before the advent of IOLs, patients would need to rely on thick prescription glasses following cataract removal. Now, however, the use of IOLs provides an opportunity to experience clear vision without having to rely on glasses.

While some lenses may only enhance distance vision, leaving the patient dependent on glasses for close-up tasks, accommodating IOLs offer the potential for a more comprehensive vision correction. This means they can improve both near and far vision, potentially freeing you from your reliance on glasses.

Read on to learn more about the types of IOLs we offer at ilumin:

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Intraocular Lens Options

We’re going to explore those options with a brief overview to help you determine which is the best for you. Keep in mind that we will also go through these options together during your appointment.

Standard Lens

The standard lens is the most used and oldest lens. We aim for patients to have good vision at a distance, but most will still require reading glasses and, in some cases, some correction of astigmatism for improved distance vision.Standard lenses have one focal point. The standard lens is also called a monofocal lens for this reason. So, you can think of this lens as improving your vision, and making your vision, colors, and brightness better, but will not get you out of glasses at distance or near. This is the option most frequently chosen for patients that have no desire to be spectacle free.

Toric IOL

This is another common lens that also corrects astigmatism. We are now able to correct this astigmatism during cataract surgery with a toric intraocular lens.

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the cornea of the eye that causes distortion in our vision that is most frequently perceived to affect our distance vision. To put bluntly, patients with astigmatism have corneas that are shaped more like footballs instead of basketballs, and this affects vision. To correct for this, most people wear glasses. However, we are now able to correct this astigmatism during cataract surgery with a toric intraocular lens. This lens will improve the distance vision typically, reducing the need for glasses at distance, as well as some near vision. Typically patients that choose to correct their astigmatism with these lenses still require reading glasses for near vision. Again, this lens typically allows patients to become free of spectacles for their distance vision.

Presbyopia correcting IOL (glasses free lens)

These are the newest technology for intraocular lenses. They allow for the correction of astigmatism at distance, reducing the need for glasses at distance, and also allow for improved near vision.

Presbyopia correcting lenses reduce the need for glasses at distance, and also allow for improved near vision. The vast majority of patients will not require reading glasses after choosing one of these lenses, except for exceedingly small print, or holding an object just a few inches from your face. Again, typically patients who choose these newest technology lenses become spectacle free for most of their daily activities.

There are three options of premium lenses that are typically used: Vivity from Alcon, PanOptix from Alcon, and Symfony from Johnson and Johnson Vision.

The Vivity lens offers significantly reduced halos and glare when compared to previous generations of intraocular lenses, while still attaining improved near vision, allowing patients to become free of glasses! We are proud to be the only office in Omaha offering the Vivity lens.

The PanOptix lens is a trifocal lens that allows for excellent distance, intermediate, and near vision. Typically, we recommend this lens for patients who are strongly desiring to be spectacle free.

The Symfony lens is an extended depth of focus lens that allows for exceptional distance and intermediate vision, with a very good near vision. Typically we recommend this lens for patients who desire exceptional distance vision, and may require reading glasses on occasion, albeit seldomly.

For more information on what lens best suits you, please make an appointment to see one of our surgeons.

New at ilumin: The Light Adjustable Lens

The Light Adjustable Lens: What It Is and How It Works

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is an advanced, innovative intraocular lens (IOL) used in cataract surgery. What sets this lens apart from traditional IOLs is its ability to be customized after implantation, offering a unique level of precision in vision correction.

After the cataract surgery is complete, the LAL can be adjusted non-invasively using specialized UV light treatments, allowing your eye doctor to fine-tune your vision for optimal results. ilumin is proud to offer this option to our patients, especially those who have previously had LASIK!

How the Light Adjustable Lens Works

Once the Light Adjustable Lens is implanted during cataract surgery, patients undergo a series of light treatments in the weeks following surgery. These treatments allow the lens to be customized to your vision needs, ensuring greater accuracy in correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. After achieving the desired visual outcome, a final light treatment is applied to lock in the prescription permanently.

Who Benefits Most from the Light Adjustable Lens?

The Light Adjustable Lens is ideal for patients who:

  • Want greater precision in their vision correction post-surgery
  • May have difficulty predicting their final visual outcome before surgery
  • Have specific visual goals, such as reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts after surgery
  • Have previously had LASIK vision correction

Benefits of the Light Adjustable Lens

  1. Personalized Vision: Unlike traditional IOLs, the LAL allows your doctor to fine-tune your vision after the surgery, ensuring a more tailored result.
  2. Non-Invasive Adjustments: Adjustments to the LAL are performed non-invasively using UV light, eliminating the need for further surgery.
  3. Greater Visual Accuracy: With post-surgery adjustments, the LAL provides superior accuracy in correcting refractive errors, enhancing your overall visual quality.
  4. Reduced Dependence on Glasses: Many patients who opt for the LAL experience reduced reliance on glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery.

By offering the Light Adjustable Lens, ilumin provides patients with a cutting-edge solution that delivers clearer, more precise vision after cataract surgery. If you’re looking for a fully customizable vision correction experience, the LAL might be the perfect option for you.

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