Intraocular lenses
See also The right IOL
Following removal of the natural lens a new 'plastic' lens is inserted into the eye to restore vision. Some people refer to intraocular lenses as 'implants'. Ophthalmologists call them 'IOLs' for short.
The right intraocular lens for your eye
Prior to surgery Dr McKellar will determine what intraocular lens should be implanted. This decision is based on both measurements of the patient's eye and what they want to achieve.
Monofocal lenses are implanted in patients who want to see well at one distance (far or near) without glasses and are happy to wear glasses to see well at other distances.
Toric intraocular lenses are used to treat significant astigmatism.
Multifocal lenses are implanted in patients who desire good vision at both distance and near WITHOUT glasses.
Acrysof® intraocular lenses
Dr McKellar primarily uses the Acrysof® intraocular lens, the most commonly used lens worldwide. All Acrysof® lenses have a yellow tint to reduce ultraviolet damage to the eye.
Depending on a patient's eye and the desired outcome one of three types of lens will be implanted:
- Acrysof® Monofocal lens
- Acrysof® Toric lens
- Acrysof® Restor® lens (bifocal intraocular lens)
Acrysof® Monofocal lenses
This is a monofocal, or single focus, lens used to correct the vision of patients with minimal astigmatism.
When a monofocal lens is implanted most patients will be able to drive without glasses. Spectacles will be required for near vision.
Monofocal lenses are the least expensive IOLs.
Acrysof® Toric lenses
Patients with significant astigmatism benefit from the implantation of a toric lens such as the Acrysof® Toric lens.
When a toric IOL is implanted most patients will be able to drive without glasses. Spectacles will be required for near vision.
Toric lenses are more expensive than a single focus lens.
Acrysof® Restor® lenses
Detail of the Acrysof® Restor®IOL. Circular zones focus light for both distant and near objects. Note: IOLs are transparent, colour has been added to aid visualiation. Courtesy Alcon.
Patients usually require reading glasses after successful cataract surgery.
The Restor® lens is a bifocal IOL that provides good vision at both distance and near. This is achieved by circular zones on the front of the lens which bring light to two separate focal points. A toric version is available for patients with moderate astigmatism.
Most patients who have a Restor® lens no longer require distance or reading glasses after surgery.
The Restor® lens is not suitable for all patients and are more expensive than a monofocal lens.
Custom made intraocular lenses
Some patients with marked short or longsightedness and those with significant astigmatism require bespoke intraocular lenses. Dr McKellar has used German manufactured HumanOptics® lenses for many years to achieve outstanding results in patients with up to 15 diopters of astigmatism.
Monovision
It is possible to plan to have one eye focused for distance and the other for near. This is known as monovision and is the best option for some patients.
See also The right IOL
