Lens Options
At East Bay Eye Centers, we provide the most advanced choices in IOL technology to help you achieve your vision goals after cataract surgery, securing a lifetime of clarity, confidence, and freedom. Your doctor and the team at East Bay Eye Centers will help you understand your options and make the best choice for you.
Distance Vision in Both Eyes — Monofocal Lens
The power of the IOL for both eyes is adjusted for distance vision with a monofocal lens. This would best approximate clear vision through the distance portion of your glasses, but no benefit of the bifocal or near portion. While many distance activities may be glasses-free, patients will need glasses for reading and for intermediate tasks such as the computer, dashboard, cell phone, and wristwatch. Because every eye heals differently, some patients may still benefit from glasses for certain distance activities.
Best suited for: Patients who prioritize clear distance vision and are comfortable wearing glasses for computer work and reading
Blended Vision / Monovision
With blended vision (also called monovision), one eye is focused primarily for distance while the other is focused somewhat closer for intermediate or near vision for tasks such as reading or computer work. Some people currently achieve this with contact lenses. Even with this option, patients may still need glasses for distance vision, (especially night driving), and possibly for near. Most, but not all, patients can get used to having one eye adjusted for distance and the other eye adjusted for near. For patients with significant astigmatism, a toric IOL can also be used as part of a blended-vision strategy.
Best suited for: Patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses but prefer a monofocal lens strategy.
Toric Lenses — For Astigmatism
Astigmatism is when the eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball. This can cause blurry or distorted vision. There is a lens implant option called the “toric” IOL. This lens has the astigmatism incorporated into the implant (like your glasses). Reducing astigmatism can improve the sharpness of your vision and decrease your dependence on glasses after surgery. Toric lenses can be selected for distance vision or incorporated into blended-vision and multifocal lenses.
If both eyes are focused for distance, you will generally still need glasses for reading and other close-up activities.
Best suited for: Patients with significant astigmatism who want clearer vision and less dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.
Extended Depth Of Focus (EDOF)
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLS provide patients a broad range of vision across multiple distances, with smooth transitions between powers for reduced visual disturbances. These lenses typically provide excellent distance and intermediate vision, making activities such as driving, watching television, working on a computer, and viewing the dashboard easier without glasses. Many patients also gain some functional near vision, although reading glasses may still be needed for small print or prolonged close-up tasks. This advanced lens may be a better choice for patients who are wanting to achieve spectacle independence but may not qualify for a multifocal lens. While some patients still require reading glasses for up-close tasks, those with presbyopia and refractive errors often enjoy visual freedom with most activities. East Bay Eye Centers offer a variety of EDOF lenses in both standard and toric varieties.
Best suited for: Patients seeking greater freedom from glasses, particularly for distance and intermediate activities, while understanding that reading glasses may still be needed for some near tasks.
Multifocal Lenses
This is the latest implant technology. With this option, each eye receives a multifocal lens. The goal is to provide clear vision for distance, intermediate, and near. However, for very small print, reading glasses may be necessary. Although most patients with these implants are glasses-free most of the time, it is important to realize that these lenses are not perfect. This is the best option for patients who wish to have as “natural” vision as possible. No lens can perfectly reproduce the vision of a young natural eye. Some patients may still need glasses for very small print or certain activities. Multifocal lenses can also cause visual symptoms such as halos, glare, or starbursts around lights, particularly at night. These symptoms often become less noticeable over time but may persist in some patients.
Best suited for: Patients who place a high priority on reducing their dependence on glasses across distance, intermediate, and near vision and who are comfortable with the possibility of nighttime glare or halos.
