Lens replacement is an intraocular surgery
that provides a long lasting solution for people with cataract and people who
seek an alternative to wearing glasses. Known as ‘intraocular lenses’, they are
implanted in the eye to replace your natural lens and to correct your vision.
However, it is crucial to choose the right type of
lens to make sure that you can achieve your goals for having lens
replacement surgery. For starters, you may have to consider personal factors,
like your activities, lifestyle, and your budget or what your health insurance
will allow. Here are some of the types of lenses you can consider after lens
replacement:
- Monofocal lenses – High-quality and clear monofocal lenses deliver good vision at one distance. The distance or focal point at maximum clarity can be determined to near (hobbies and reading), intermediate (car dashboard, computers, and grocery store shelves), and distance (watching TV, driving, or playing golf).
- Multifocal lenses – These lenses minimize your need for eyeglasses in near and distance vision, since it can provide clear vision at different distances. These are special lenses that may not be covered by insurance, so you may have to pay extra for them. The latest trends in multifocal lenses are the Trifocal lenses which have more lens power that ensures better vision. The trifocal lenses have three different points of focus: one for near vision, another for distance and the third one for the intermediate vision.
- Toric lenses – Patients with astigmatism will most probably go for toric lenses. Toric lenses are a special version of the above mentioned lenses. These lenses are custom-made. They are usually available in monofocal, multifocal and trifocal version.
- Aspheric lenses – These are designed to enhance visual clarity and contrast quality under given circumstances.
- Accommodating lenses – Also known as
‘Crystalens’, these lenses come with hinges to let them shift their
position in your eye. That way, you can focus better at different
distances.
- Monovision – These are implants that use monofocals with a different power per eye, so you can minimize the use of glasses for many of your daily tasks. The dominant eye is typically set for distance, and the other is set to near. Many patients can use contact lenses with monovision.