The “best” lens for cataract surgery depends on your lifestyle and vision goals, with options ranging from standard Monofocal lenses (clear at one distance, usually far, covered by insurance) to premium Multifocal/Trifocal (glasses-free for near/intermediate/far but may cause halos) and Toric (corrects astigmatism). Advanced options like the Light Adjustable Lens allow post-surgery customization. Your surgeon will help you choose based on your budget, visual needs (driving, computer, reading), and tolerance for potential side effects like glare.
Lens Types:
Monofocal IOLs:
What they do: Provide clear vision at a single focal point (near, intermediate, or distance).
Best for: Patients happy with glasses for other distances, or those seeking the sharpest vision at one specific range.
Cost: Usually covered by insurance.
Toric IOLs:
What they do: Correct astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea) while also focusing on one distance.
Best for: Patients with significant astigmatism who want clearer distance vision without glasses for that specific focus.
Cost: Additional out-of-pocket expense.
Multifocal/Trifocal IOLs (e.g., PanOptix, Envy):
What they do: Aim to provide clear vision at multiple distances (near, computer, far).
Best for: Patients wanting to minimize or eliminate glasses for most activities.
Considerations: Higher cost; some patients experience glare or halos, especially at night.
Light Adjustable Lens (LAL):
What they do: Power can be fine-tuned with light after surgery for customized vision.
Best for: Patients wanting highly personalized results.
Key Factors in Your Decision
Lifestyle: How much time do you spend driving, reading, or on the computer?
Budget: Premium lenses cost more, and insurance often does not cover the upgrade.
Vision Goals: Do you want to ditch glasses entirely, or are you okay with reading glasses?
Eye Health: Other eye conditions (like glaucoma or macular degeneration) can influence the best choice.
Griffin Eye Center, Sarah E. Griffin, M.D., and Neil B. Griffin M.D., both specialize in cataract, cornea and refractive surgery. They are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and fellowship trained. Dr. Sarah Griffin and Dr. Neil Griffin are committed to providing world class surgical technologies and the most advanced vision diagnostics to the North and South Carolina areas.
Griffin Eye Center offers the latest in advanced cataract surgery, with more options for Intra-Ocular Lenses (IOL). Cataract surgery is only performed once in a person’s lifetime, so it is important to consider your lens options. Griffin Eye Center was one of the first in the local area to offer the Light Adjustable Lens which is the only lens treated after cataract surgery. To learn more visit https://griffineyecenter.com/advanced-cataract-surgery/ or call (843) 449-6414.