As a respected ophthalmologist, Dr Joshua Hann devotes a large portion of his practice to helping people overcome cloudy, blurry vision caused by cataracts. During cataract surgery, he replaces the eye’s cloudy lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL.
To help familiarize you with IOLs, Dr Hann answers common questions about the lenses here.
What does an intraocular lens (IOL) do?
An IOL helps focus light entering the eye onto the retina, just like a natural, healthy lens does.
Will I see or feel my IOL?
No. Once implanted in your eye, you will neither see nor feel your IOL. IOLs are made from a special material that will not be rejected by your body or wear out over time.
What kinds of IOLs are available to me?
Traditional IOLs are known as monofocal IOLs. They provide clear vision at a single pre-determined distance: either near or far away. Glasses are needed to see clearly at other distances.
Multifocal IOLs are a newer type of IOL that restore good vision at all distances: near, intermediate and far away. Patients with multifocal lenses usually do not need to wear glasses.
The newest type of IOLs are known as extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs. These create a single elongated focal point for clear vision at intermediate and long-range distances (and in all lighting conditions), often without glasses. Patients with EDOF IOLs report fewer visual side effects when compared with multifocal IOLs, like glare or halos around lights at night.
How can I determine which IOL is best for me?
Dr Hann will help guide you in your search for the perfect IOL. He will perform testing prior to your cataract surgery and inquire about your lifestyle and favorite hobbies before recommending the IOLs that could work for you. Together, you will review the pros and cons of each lens.
What IOL should I select if I have astigmatism?
You could benefit from a toric IOL, which is specially engineered for astigmatism correction. Most popular multifocal and EDOF IOLs are available in toric versions.
Do I need to get the same type of IOL in both eyes?
You don’t need to, but you may not realize the full benefits of multifocal or EDOF IOL technology if you have different lenses in each eye.
Will the type of IOL I select affect how long it takes me to recover from cataract surgery?
No. Your recovery from cataract surgery is the same whether you select a monofocal, multifocal or EDOF IOL.
For more information about cataract surgery and IOLs, please contact Eastside Eye Specialist Care today.