Are you planning to have cataract surgery to have your cataract removed? Do you also have nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia?
Then you’ll be glad to know that you can simultaneously treat cataracts while correcting refractive errors and presbyopia. Every year, nearly four million Americans undergo cataract surgery.
During the procedure, your natural, clouded lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL. There are many kinds of IOLs available.
Many people opt for a premium lens to lower their dependence on visual aids and feel freer.
Keep reading to learn about the advantages of cataract surgery with a premium IOL!
What Sets Premium IOLs Apart from Standard Lenses?
There are two categories of intraocular lenses: standard lenses and premium lenses. These are both permanent lenses implanted in your eyes after removing the natural, clouded lens.
You should be aware of all your lens options with something as important as your vision. That way, you and your ophthalmologist can select the option that provides your ideal outcome and allows you the best possible visual opportunity for your lifestyle.
Standard, Monofocal IOLs
Standard monofocal IOLs provide patients with clear vision at a single distance while still improving the ability to see far away. As a result, many patients no longer need to wear glasses or contacts to see far objects clearly, or they can wear them less often.
Monofocal, standard IOLs are usually covered by insurance. These are the only IOLs that insurance plans cover.
The downside of a monofocal IOL is that it does not affect your near and intermediate vision. A monofocal IOL can only correct vision at one distance, meaning you’ll need to continue relying on visual aids to see clearly, usually up close and at intermediate distances.
Premium IOLs
A premium IOL goes beyond a standard monofocal lens because it provides patients with clear vision at multiple distances. Premium lenses can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Patients after cataract surgery can look forward to having a full range of clearer vision, whether you are looking at a near, far, or intermediate distance. When you choose a premium IOL, you can reduce your reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
Some patients even eliminate the need to wear them entirely. However, it’s important to note that, unlike a monofocal lens, you must pay for premium lenses out of pocket.
If your lifestyle and budget make this attainable, a premium lens will allow you to live your life on your terms with better vision, sometimes even better than before you had cataracts. This reason alone makes premium lenses worth it for many cataract patients considering them.
What Kinds of Premium IOLs Are Available?
Different premium IOLs have various technologies, features, and benefits. Dell Laser Consultants offers a great range of premium IOLs, so you and your eye doctor can choose the best one to suit your needs, lifestyle, and visual goals.
PanOptix Multifocal Lens
If you’re looking to move past the need for visual aids, the PanOptix multifocal lens is an excellent option. As the first and only FDA-approved trifocal lens, it can correct near, far, and distance vision.
With the PanOptix, you can easily look at your phone, work on a computer, look at road signs while driving, or tee off while golfing. It can treat most cases of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Vivity Lens
The Vivity lens is an extended depth of focus premium IOL. It is the only non-diffractive extended depth of focus IOL.
Other lenses must create many different points of focus. However, this lens only needs one, thanks to state-of-the-art X-WAVE technology.
Using X-WAVE technology provides an uninterrupted field of clear vision. You’ll be able to use a computer, go for a walk or bike ride, and complete other daily tasks without having to rely on visual aids as much. Reading glasses may still be necessary on occasion.
Eyhance Lens
Although it is a monofocal lens, the Eyhance lens is considered a premium option because it offers more clarity than a standard lens. It contains two refractive powers, one at the edges and one in the middle.
Having two refractive powers on the Eyhance lens improves intermediate and distance vision. It also enhances your night vision.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is the first and only intraocular lens that allows patients to customize their vision after cataract surgery. It contains photosensitive material that reacts to UV light.
Because the Light Adjustable Lens reacts to UV light, it can change shape and refractive power to accommodate your unique needs. The lens usually takes about 2-4 light treatments before reaching its maximum efficacy when it’s locked into place.
IC-8 Apthera Lens
The IC-8 Apthera is the first extended depth of focus lens to permit only focused light to reach your retina, similar to how a camera works. Blurriness is filtered out before it even reaches the back of your eye.
Small aperture technology and the FilterRing component allow you to say goodbye to blurriness. This lens can correct presbyopia and mild cases of astigmatism. It works well in both bright and dim conditions.
Synergy Lens
Synergy is a presbyopia-correcting lens that improves clarity at every distance. It also provides high contrast and a seamless transition between distances.
It can perform well in low-lighting conditions, like driving at night. Plus, violet-filtering technology decreases halos and starbursts around lights.
Tecnis Symfony OptiBlue
The Tecnis Symfony OptiBlue is an extended depth of focus intraocular lens that can correct presbyopia and astigmatism. In addition to continuously clear vision, it offers improved contrast and performance in low-lighting conditions. Reading glasses may still be needed for fine details.
Would you like to enjoy the many advantages of a premium IOL? Schedule your appointment at Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, TX, today to learn more about your options and to find out which premium lens may be right for you!
