|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
Lens Implant Choices
The lens of your eye is an important
structure. In order to see clearly at
all distances (from up close to far
away), your eye must be able to
change its focus power. The lens of
your eye is responsible for this change
in focus—it changes its shape to bring
whatever you’re looking at into clear
focus. In your early 40’s you lost the
ability to see up close, and required
either bifocals, or at least reading
glasses. This was because as we age,
the lens hardens and cannot change its
shape anymore, and in order to focus
at different distances, more than one
glasses prescription was required.
As we age even more, the lens becomes
cloudy. This cloudiness of the
lens is called a cataract. Cataract is a
common problem among aging
Americans, and cataract surgery is the
most common surgery performed on
adults in the United States. In cataract
surgery, the cloudy lens is removed. In
order for you to see clearly afterward,
a new lens (called an intraocular lens
implant, or IOL) must be inserted at
the time of surgery.
Selecting the right implant for your
eye is very important for your vision
after surgery. Your doctor will take
measurements before your surgery to
determine how strong your lens is, so
an implant with the same strength can
be put in during the surgery. If you
wear glasses, the implant strength can
be adjusted to replace both your lens
and your glasses.
Like your aging lens, the implant
cannot change its shape to help you
see both up close and off at a distance.
But several options are available to
help you minimize—or even eliminate—
your need for any type of
glasses after cataract surgery.
For instance, your doctor may place
implants in your eyes with the appropriate
strength for you to see well at a
distance, and you can wear reading
glasses when you want to see up close,
such as for reading.
Another option is for your doctor to
select the implant strength for you to
see clearly off at a distance for one
eye, and a different strength—the one
for up close—for your other eye, so
that you can see clearly at all distances
without glasses after surgery. This
works well for most people, but some
people have trouble with depth perception
when their two eyes are focused at
different distances.
In recent years, several types of
bifocal and/or multifocal implants
have been developed. These lenses
allow you to see clearly at a variety of
distances, effectively eliminating the
need for glasses. Several manufacturers,
including Alcon, Advanced
Lens Implant Choices After Cataract Surgery
Medical Optics, and Eyeonics, have
recently received approval from the
FDA for new technology multi-focal
lenses following cataract surgery. It
should be noted, however, that multifocal
lens technology is evolving
rapidly and patients are encouraged to
consult with their doctor about these
offerings. Also, this technology is
relatively expensive and is considered
elective by Medicare and most payers,
thus the difference in price between a
standard cataract IOL and the new
technology must be paid by the
patient.
Call us today to talk about the various types of implants available
and their effects on your vision after
surgery. We can help you
develop a plan that pairs you with
the best type of implants for your
eyes and your vision needs.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
