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Advanced IOL Options

When cataracts begin to cloud your vision and impact your daily activities, cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation offers an opportunity to not only restore clear sight but potentially improve your vision beyond what you experienced before developing cataracts.

While traditional monofocal IOLs provide excellent distance vision, advanced IOL technologies now offer solutions for patients seeking reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses for multiple distances. Understanding these options can help you make informed decisions about your vision correction journey.

Medically illustration showing intraocular lens (IOL)

What Are IOLs?

When cataracts cloud your natural lens, cataract surgery removes that cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear, artificial one, called an intraocular lens, or IOL. These artificial lenses are designed to last your entire lifetime, and they’re made from materials that work perfectly with your body. 

Just like your natural lens, an IOL focuses light onto the back of your eye so you can see clearly. The type of IOL you choose can make a huge difference in how well you see after surgery.

A standard IOL that insurance typically covers is called a monofocal lens. It can give you clear vision at one distance, usually for seeing things far away, like road signs or watching TV. However, you’ll still need reading glasses for up-close tasks and often need bifocals or progressive lenses for things like computer work. 

Advanced IOL options take things a step further, using clever optical designs that can help you see clearly at multiple distances, potentially reducing your need for glasses altogether. At Huffman & Huffman Eye Care Center, we are proud to offer a variety of IOL options to help you reach your vision goals.

Types of Advanced IOL Options

Toric IOLs for Astigmatism Correction

Toric IOLs specifically address astigmatism. Astigmatism a common refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea that creates blurred or distorted vision at all distances. 

These specialized lenses feature different powers in different areas of the lens, providing crisp, clear vision without the need for additional astigmatism correction.

Multifocal IOLs for Multiple Distances

Multifocal IOLs incorporate multiple focal zones within a single lens, allowing you to have clear vision at various distances, including near, intermediate, and far. The main advantage of multifocal IOLs is that they can provide functional vision across the full range of daily activities, from reading fine print to driving and everything in between. 

Many patients with multifocal IOLs are able to greatly reduce their dependence on glasses for most tasks.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs, including options like the Vivity and Odyssey lenses, are great options for presbyopia correction. These lenses create a continuous range of vision from distance through intermediate distances, with some near vision capability, while minimizing the visual disturbances sometimes associated with traditional multifocal designs.

Light Adjustable Lenses

The Light Adjustable Lens offers patients a unique opportunity to customize their vision after healing from cataract surgery. With the LAL, patients can fine-tune their vision correction after the eye has healed. 

This innovative technology uses special light treatments performed in the office to adjust the lens power, so you can feel confident in your vision outcome. The Light Adjustable Lens is particularly beneficial for patients with a history of refractive surgery, as these eyes can be more challenging to calculate precisely for IOL power. 

Ready to schedule your visit?

Take the next step toward enhanced vision by scheduling a comprehensive consultation at Huffman & Huffman Eye Care Center to explore which advanced IOL option might be right for you.