Types of lens implants used in cataract surgery
Mr Tariq Ayoub - 23 Feb 2021
A cataract develops when the natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy. In cataract surgery, this cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic lens implant to help you see clearly. Whether you need to wear glasses after cataract surgery is dependent on the type of lens implanted in the eye after surgery. Below we talk about the various types of lens implant available to you at Oculase.
The first ever intraocular lens was implanted in the eye in London in 1949 by Sir Harold Ridley. It was hailed as a new age in cataract surgery treatment. Since this first implant, lens technology has evolved to give us lenses which can completely rid us of our glasses.
There are several lens manufactures and lens implants available to give you good vision. All these lens implants are broadly divided into a few categories as outlined below.
Trifocal lens implant
These types of lenses give good vision at three different distances, generally at far, intermediate and near. With trifocal lens, you can do 95% of your activities without glasses. The potential downside of trifocal lens is a slight compromise in the quality of distance vision as well as optical side effects (glare and haloes), particular at night. Most people notice these optical side-effects reduce with time.
Extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lens implant
These types of lenses give clear vision across a range of distances without glasses, generally at far distance through to intermediate distance but you would need glasses for reading. They provide greater spectacle independence than monofocal lenses while inducing less visual side-effects compared to trifocal lenses. This balance of increased spectacle independence and less visual phenomena is particularly attractive to patients with active lifestyle, who wish to be spectacle-free for most of their daily activities but are more sensitive to halos and glare.
Monofocal lens implant
These types of lenses gives clear vision at one distance (usually far distance) but one will need to wear glasses for clear vision at all other distances. Optical side effects are rare with this lens. This is the standard lens available in the NHS.
Premium monofocal lens provide greater range of clear vision without the optical side-effects (glare, haloes) seen with other types of lenses.
Some people may be suitable for monvision with monofocal lens implant where one eye is corrected with a far distance lens and another eye for a near distance lens giving you greater spectacle independence.
How will I know which lens is suitable for me?
Your suitability for a particular lens implant is dependent on:
- the health of your eye
- the results of your eye scans
- your work
- your hobbies
- sports you may engage in
- your lifestyle choices
Your individual circumstances will determine which lens is best suited to you. Generally, using Premium lens implants such as a trifocal or EDOF lens will reduce or eliminate your need to wear glasses after cataract surgery.
At Oculase, we will discuss the most suitable options available to you to give you the best visual outcome.
