Cataracts cause significant vision loss when the eye’s lens becomes clouded as an individual ages. The clouding hinders light from passing to the retina, leading to blurry or distorted vision. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial one, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). Here’s what to know about intraocular lenses and how they help in cataract surgeries:
What Are Intraocular Lenses?
Your eyes have lenses behind the pupil, usually transparent, to allow light to pass through them as they enter the eye. As a person ages, the proteins in their eye’s lens break down and clump together. This process creates a cloudy area in the lens, which grows over time and causes blurry vision.
Intraocular lenses are artificial lenses that replace the clouded natural lens during cataract surgery. They help restore clear vision to patients who have cataracts. These lenses are made of plastic, silicone, or acrylic materials and are safe for permanent placement in the eye. They may also have a special coating to protect your eyes from UV rays.
How Does Lens Replacement Work During Caratact Surgery?
Cataract surgeries are typically outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day. Before the surgery, you’ll first get anesthesia to help you relax and numb your eye. The surgeon then proceeds to conduct phacoemulsification, using ultrasound energy to break up the clouded lens. They then remove the fragmented lens and insert the intraocular lens into the area where they removed your natural lens. The surgeon will also verify the lens is positioned securely and accurately within your eye. This new clear lens will let light into the eye’s retina appropriately, just as your natural lens did before it became clouded.
This procedure takes 30–45 minutes, and patients often experience improved vision immediately after surgery. One eye is completed at a time, and the second eye is usually scheduled for surgery several weeks after the first. Intraocular lenses come customized to match your vision needs. This customization means you’ll receive an IOL that works best for your eyes and daily activities.
What Are the Types of Intraocular Lenses?
Intraocular lenses are available in different types, each offering specific benefits depending on a patient’s needs. Here are the common types of IOLs used in cataract surgery:
Monofocal Lenses
Your eye’s natural lens bends or stretches to help process different viewing distances. Monofocal IOLs have a fixed focus at close, middle, or far ranges. Many patients choose far-range mono-focal lenses to help them focus on distant objects, assisting with tasks like driving. That means they’ll still need glasses for near or middle-range activities like reading. If you choose close-range mono-focal IOLs, you’ll need glasses for distant objects.
Multifocal Lenses
Multifocal lenses are like bifocals or progressive eyeglasses, helping you focus on near and far distances. Unlike mono-focal IOLs, multifocal IOLs have different zones in one lens for viewing objects at varying distances. Your brain will learn to interpret the appropriate zone when looking at objects depending on their distance. This feature allows for a more natural visual experience, reducing the need for glasses. It may take some time for your brain to adjust to this kind of IOL, and you may experience glare or halos at first.
Toric Lenses
Toric lenses are designed specifically for patients with astigmatism. It’s an eye condition that causes blurred vision due to a cornea with an irregular shape. Toric lenses help with better light focusing on the retina, allowing for clearer vision. They can also help reduce halos and glare, issues people with astigmatism often experience. Toric lenses may come in monofocal, multifocal, or accommodating options to suit your needs.
Choose a Reliable Clinic for Cataract Surgery
Cataracts can significantly affect your quality of life and independence. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can restore your vision and improve your daily activities. Intraocular lenses replace your clouded natural lens during surgery, and they come in different types depending on your needs. Start your search for a trustworthy and experienced clinic to choose the ideal intraocular lens type and get the best results from your cataract surgery.
