NITASHA GUPTA, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED OPHTHALMOLOGIST AND EYE SURGEON
CATARACT LENS OPTIONS
After the cataract is removed, it is replaced with an artificial lens implant (IOL).
Choosing the right lens for you can be confusing. Understanding the various lens options is essential before making your lens choice.
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Your eye health and prescription (including +/- astigmatism) plays an important part in determining which lens is the most appropriate for you to give you the best results.
THE PRIMARY DECISION IS THE TYPE OF VISION YOU WANT TO HAVE AFTER SURGERY
MONOFOCAL LENS
GOOD DISTANCE VISION
will need reading glasses
GOOD READING VISION
will need distance glasses
MONOVISION
distance vision in one eye /
reading vision in the other eye
TORIC*
corrects astigmatism
MULTIFOCAL LENS*
GOOD DISTANCE +
COMPUTER / INTERMEDIATE +
READING VISION
= FULL range of vision
(may need reading glasses
for small print)
TORIC*
corrects astigmatism
LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENS
(LAL)*
The only CUSTOMIZABLE option that allows you to modify your "prescription" after surgery to personalize your outcomes and reduce your dependence on glasses
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Involves 2-3 in office treatments after surgery to achieve desired outcome AND correct astigmatism
SEE FAR AWAY
with clear distance vision
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SEE A SHOW
WATCH TV
DRIVE A CAR
CATARACT
MONOFOCAL LENS
MULTIFOCAL LENS
LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENS (LAL)
SEE AT ARM'S LENGTH
with enhanced intermediate vision
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USE A COMPUTER
READ A MENU
SEE THE DASHBOARD
SEE UP CLOSE
with everyday near vision
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READ A BOOK
USE A CELL PHONE
SEWING, CRAFTS, GAMES
Dr. Gupta will discuss your options with you after a comprehensive evaluation. While there are a number of things to consider when choosing the most suitable lens, Dr. Gupta always takes the following things into account.
OVERALL HEALTH OF THE EYE
Multifocal and extended focus lenses are generally not recommended for people with vision loss from macular degeneration, glaucoma, or other eye diseases. These IOLs allow less light into the eye so they can make things worse for people with vision loss. If avoiding glasses is important and you have eye damage, monovision and/or the LAL may be a better option.
OUT OF POCKET COSTS
Multifocal, topic,and extended focus less are NOT covered by Medicare (including secondary / supplemental insurances and co-insurances) and commercial insurance plans.
NIGHT-TIME DRIVING
If night driving is important, you might want to re-consider multifocal or extended focus lenses. Side effects such as glare, halos around lights or loss of contrast (resulting in dull vision) may occur with these lenses, most commonly at night or in dimly lit places. Fortunately, most people adapt to these effects to the point where it not bothersome.
*LAL multifocal, and toric lens implants are NOT covered by Medicare and commercial insurance plans.
© Alcon Vision, Inc.
LASER CATARACT SURGERY & ARTIFICIAL LENS OPTIONS
