After the evolution of modern cataract surgery, the major types of advanced PCIOLs available for implantation are Phacoemulsification, Microincision cataract surgery or Femtosecond laser cataract surgery. These lenses are collectively called premium IOLs.

Types of Premium IOLs

Premium IOLs are of three broad categories:

1. Monofocal Lenses

Monofocal lenses, unlike the natural lens of the eye, can only restore vision for one distance– either near, far or intermediate distance. Usually, the power of the monofocal lenses is calculated so that the patient does not need glasses for distance vision. You will still require reading glasses after having a monofocal lens implantation, or even bifocals which are glasses for both distance and near, depending on your preexisting refractive error (especially astigmatism). Below are the various types of monofocal lenses:

• Aurium (Monofocal): Manufactured by Medennium(USA), these monofocal lenses are photochromatic, they become slightly tinted during daytime or in bright light, thus preventing harmful ultraviolet rays. In normal room lighting conditions, these lenses become transparent.
• Acrysof IQ (Monofocal): Manufactured by Alcon (USA), these lenses provide excellent distance vision, however, for near vision, a person may require additional reading glasses. This lens contains pigment chromatophore, a yellow which blocks harmful UV exposure.
• Aurovue(Monofocal) lenses are considered entry-level options for cataract surgery and are recommended for people on a low budget manufactured by an Indian company – Aurolab
• Acrysof SP(Monofocal) lenses are preferred for patients with diabetics. This is also a recommended option for somebody opting for a mono-focal lens in Regular Phaco surgery.

2. Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal IOLs are lenses that offer great levels of patient satisfaction in vision restoration for both near and distance and allow spectacle independence after their implantation.  They can be customized to your active lifestyle; however, your surgeon will discuss with you the apparent drawbacks of these lenses, namely halos, glare, and low contrast sensitivity.

In case you desire the spectacle independence for near or distance vision after cataract surgery and do not want to go ahead with the added expense of a multifocal IOL, your doctor will suggest monovision with you. Following are the best multifocal lenses:

• Tecnis Symphony (Multifocal): Manufactured by Abott (USA), this multifocal lens provides excellent distance vision as well as intermediate vision with improved near vision, but you may need reading glasses for small print.
• Zeiss Trifocal (Multifocal): Manufactured by Zeiss (USA), these multifocal lenses are the only lenses that provide excellent near, intermediate and far vision allowing you maximum spectacle independence.
• iDiff (Multifocal): Manufactured by Care Group, these multifocal lenses provide superior optical quality for both distance and near vision, which means that a person can easily carry out regular day to day activities with near vision such as reading and writing comfortably and also do distance work without the use of additional spectacles. however, iDiff Lenses do not correct intermediate vision.
• Tridiff (Multifocal): Manufactured by Care Group, these multifocal lenses provide clear vision for distance, near and intermediate targets, which means that a person can easily carry out regular day to day activities with distance vision, also do near work such as reading and writing and also carry out intermediate distance work such as working on the laptop comfortably without the use of additional prescription glasses.
• Alcon Pantopix (Multifocal): This is the largest introduction in multi-focal lenses that can optimize intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery.

3. Toric Lenses

Your eye can have two types of power, spherical and cylinder. Spherical power is because of the natural lens within the eye and cylinder power is because of the dissymmetry in the curve of the cornea. Only the spherical component of the eye can be corrected by monofocal and multifocal lenses but not the cylinder power, which needs to be later corrected by additional prescription glasses.

Toric Lenses can correct both spherical and cylinder components of the eye to allow clear vision at all distances. If you have a high pre-existing cylinder or astigmatism (with or without nearsightedness and farsightedness) in your eye, toric contact lenses are recommended to you. Below are the recommended toric lenses:

• Acrysof IQ (Toric): Manufactured by Alcon (USA), these lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery and see clearly without glasses.
• Acrysof Toric (Toric): These lenses have all the functionalities of Acrysof IQ (to correct astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery) along with cylinder correction.
• Zeiss (Toric): Manufactured by the German company Carl Zeiss, this lens is one of the benchmarks in superior cylinder correction and achieves excellent refractive outcomes – even in challenging cases of astigmatism.

Which IOL is best for you?

After performing a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will discuss with you the potential benefits and implications of each of these lenses. This will help you select the best possible lens for your eye in tandem with your lifestyle and visual needs, as well as your expectations from cataract surgery.

Lifestyle and priorities: If you have a very active lifestyle that involves seeing the fine details from a distance – like the subtle contours of a golf course, you may prefer distance vision compared to your near vision. If you travel a lot and intend to be not dependent on glasses at all, you may prefer a bit more precision for both near and distance vision. On the other hand, you will want perfect near vision, if you enjoy sewing or embroidery.

Pre-existing diseases: In case of certain eye diseases like corneal disorders, advanced glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration, you may not be suitable for specific lenses, like the multifocal lens. Your eye doctor will perform an eye exam and discuss with you the potential benefits and implications to help you choose the best possible lens for your eye.

The doctors at Dr Aravind’s ENT and EYE Hospital are well versed in the use of premium IOLs following cataract surgery in Hyderabad and have had the experience of implanting thousands of these lenses. We will be happy to discuss all the options available and help you choose the best choice for your eye health, and visual needs.

If you are facing issues with your vision or any other disturbance of the eyes, please visit an eye specialist. Book an appointment now with expert ophthalmologists with years of experience, call at  8886664462