With state-of-the art personalized lens surgery, you can live the life you want without eyeglasses.
At Focus Eye Care & Surgery in New York, our board-certified eye surgeon specializes in implanting intraocular lenses (IOLs) to correct cataracts, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Dr. Neelofar Ghaznawi is a highly trained and experienced member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
HOW MONOFOCAL AND MULTIFOCAL IOL IMPLANTS WORK
People who have had monofocal IOL implants after cataract surgery may need eyeglasses, as monofocal lenses only provide one focusing range: up close, intermediate, or distance. Most people choose lenses for sharp distance vision, and then use reading glasses for close work or to correct their astigmatism.
To reduce dependence on eyeglasses, others choose different lenses for each eye. In a blended vision procedure, the dominant eye is often implanted with monofocal lens for distance vision while the non-dominant eye is replaced with lens for intermediate work.
In blended vision, very close-up work (like needlepoint) may still require eyeglasses.
Our New York cataract specialist provides thorough assessment of each eye and develops a treatment plan with you that best fits your goals and lifestyle. Surgery for blended vision may not apply to most people.
Blended vision entails compromise from both eyes, so only half of the patient population will likely make good candidates, both in terms of their medical history and expectations of surgical outcome.
With newer IOL technology, multifocal lenses allow you to see clearly at a distance and up close, as each eye is implanted with a lens with multifocal points. This means that you may no longer need eyeglasses for close work while at the same time see clearly from afar.
Studies suggest that a higher percent of patient population may be eligible for this procedure.
Personalized Lens Surgery for Presbyopia
The eyes’ natural lenses change shape so they can focus light onto the retina at a distance and up close. But after age 40, the lens becomes less flexible and more rigid, leading to a gradual loss of vision for near-work. This is called presbyopia. You will find it’s harder to thread a needle, read a newspaper, or do tasks at a range closer than the computer screen.
As presbyopia is caused by the eyes’ normal aging process, there is no way to stop or reverse the condition. But with cutting-edge personalized lens surgery at Focus Eye Care & Surgery, it is possible to have your eye’s natural lens replaced with an implant even before cataracts or presbyopia occurs.
PERSONALIZED LENS SURGERY FOR ASTIGMATISM
An irregularly shaped cornea (the clear layer covering the surface in front of the eyes) or lens can lead to astigmatism where both near and distance vision are blurry. In the past, surgical corrections of astigmatism involved making corneal incision during a cataract procedure. The outcomes, however, were unpredictable and could still lead to residual symptoms.
Newer IOL optics make correcting astigmatism possible with an insertion of what is called a ‘toric’ implant. Normal cornea and lens have circular shapes, while an eye with astigmatism has an oval-shaped cornea and lens. This implant corrects distance vision and sharpens vision in low-light, bright light, and foggy situations.
Benefits of Personalized Lens Surgery
Do you feel it’s time to upgrade your vision and do away with eyeglasses altogether? Consider the following benefits you would enjoy when you are spectacle-free.
- Get the clear vision you want that best suits your day-to-day activities without having to take your glasses on and off.
- Engage in a more active lifestyle without eyeglasses getting in the way.
- Worry no more about contact lens infection.
- Save money from frequent eyeglass replacement. Over the years, the expenses you will accumulate from regularly changing your glasses may add up more than the cost of personalized lens surgery.
FAQs about Personalized Lens Surgery
While all lenses used in cataract surgery are chosen with an intention to match the needed power to minimize the need for glasses, not all are customized. A personalized lens requires extensive pre-surgical examination to customize a lens with a specific prescription that matches your eye and can also treat astigmatism.
Yes, lens surgery is a permanent procedure that replaces your opaque lens and restores vision. Most patients live out the rest of their lives without facing any complications after lens surgery.
The actual surgical procedure is the same in personalized lens surgery and standard cataract surgery. The difference between the two is in the type of intraocular lens used to replace your cataract-affected lens. A standard cataract surgery uses a pre-made lens whereas a personalized cataract surgery uses a lens customized specifically to match the dimensions of your eye. A customized lens can correct astigmatism and minimize the need for glasses.
Costs can be higher in a personalized lens surgery. While the actual surgery costs may not change, the cost for a customized lens may be higher than a standard lens. Tests required prior to surgery to design a customized lens may also add further to the overall costs.
Medicare covers all cataract surgeries that are deemed medically necessary, but you may have to bear the higher costs of the customized lens. Medicare may not cover new technology intraocular lens or if you require more advanced treatments than the standard cataract treatments. In such cases, you may have to cover a higher amount or almost the entire cost.
Cataracts require treatment if you experience symptoms that indicate the cataract is both progressive and advanced. Whether you are a suitable candidate for laser cataract surgery can only be determined once you consult with an ophthalmologist. But, if you experience certain symptoms such as blurring of vision, seeing halos or glares, impairment in vision, and lower color contrast, then it is time you consult with an ophthalmologist.
If you have astigmatism, then personalized lens surgery is highly recommended to correct vision as accurately as possible. Also, if you wish to be independent of glasses after cataract surgery, personalized lens surgery can be a better option.