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Implantable Contact Lenses
Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center
Implantable Contact Lenses
If your natural optic lens is too damaged, ophthalmologists offer another way for you to see clearly that doesn’t involve thick eyeglasses or the daily use of regular contact lenses. Our skilled eye doctor can place an implantable contact lens (otherwise known as an intraocular lens, IOL) inside your eye to help you see near, far, and in between.
Uses for Implantable Contact Lenses
Since being approved by the FDA in 1981, implantable contact lenses have offered an effective alternative for cataract patients and refractive lens exchange patients, allowing them great vision even after their natural lenses have been removed.
Cataract Patients
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in your eye. When this occurs, your Boca Raton ophthalmologist removes the cataract (which also removes the lens). Following, your eye doctor can replace that lens with an implantable contact lens.
Refractive Lens Exchange Patients
As an alternative to laser surgeries to improve vision, some patients are choosing to replace their natural lenses with implantable contact lenses. This surgery is known as a “refractive lens exchange,” or RFE. Through this procedure, our experienced eye doctor can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatisms, and even presbyopia.
Types of Implantable Contact Lenses
Monofocal Lens
A monofocal lens has a single focal point. It allows the eye to see well at a single distance. It is a good option for people who won’t mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery. A monofocal lens will provide you with the best quality vision for tasks requiring distance vision, such as driving during the day or night, watching TV, going to the movies, or participating in sports. However, you must wear glasses to correct your vision at an intermediate and near distance for reading a book, working on a computer, cooking, reading the time on your watch, doing makeup, shaving, etc. Note – you may have to wear progressive glasses even if you do not need to wear them to see at a distance.
Multifocal Lens
A multifocal lens contains different optic areas designed to accommodate different light levels and various focal distances. Multifocal lenses provide high-quality vision in any light or at any distance – day or night, near or far. These lenses especially help patients who have trouble seeing at night or when in dark places.
Toric Lens
A Toric lens helps cataract patients with astigmatisms. An astigmatism is when the cornea is curved more in one direction than the other. Toric lenses reduce the astigmatism, which leads to better vision after a patient’s cataracts have been removed.
Premium vs. Traditional IOLS
Traditional IOLs are Monofocal. They only allow patients to hold one perspective of vision at a time (far distance, intermediate distance, or near distance). As a result, this type of IOL still requires patients to utilize corrective lenses to compensate for the other two missing distances. Meanwhile, Premium IOLs (P-IOLs) are Multifocal. P-IOLS are a newer innovation that provide patients the ability to see more than one distance without using glasses or contacts.
Cost Difference
Premium (multifocal) IOLs typically cost more than conventional (monofocal) IOLs and usually aren’t covered by insurance.
Premium Brands
There are many brands of multifocal premium lenses, each with specific benefits and uses, which could affect patients in different ways.
Improve Your Vision Today
Thank you for choosing the Mitchell Eye Center for all your vision needs. Implantable contact lenses are just one of the many ways our trusted ophthalmologist can help you improve your eyesight. For any questions about implantable contact lenses, or to schedule a consultation with our ophthalmologist, contact us today!
