So why do some people still require glasses after their surgery while others do not? There are many factors that determine if you will continue to wear full time glasses, part time glasses such as reading glasses, or none at all. These factors include the overall health of the eye, the amount of astigmatism,  your current eyeglass prescription, and your visual needs.

Patients who have cataract surgery with a monofocal IOL may need glasses for some or all distances. Monofocal IOLs have been used for several decades and are set to provide your best uncorrected vision at one focal point. Many people who choose a monofocal IOL have it set it for distance vision and use reading glasses for near activities. On the other hand, a person whose IOLs are set to correct near vision would need glasses to see distant objects clearly.

Monofocal IOLs can also be set for monovision, which is distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other eye. If you are considering monovision, your ophthalmologist may suggest trying this technique with contact lenses first to see how well you can adapt. If you require crisp, detailed vision, monovision may not be the best approach for you.

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your cornea. Astigmatism correcting IOLs can also be used to help decrease the dependence upon glasses. These IOLs are monofocal IOLs that correct astigmatism so you can see without glasses at one distance.  You may still rely on glasses for some activities.

Multifocal IOLs utilize advanced technology and offer a series of focal zones or rings built into the IOL. Depending on where light focuses through the zones, you may be able to see distance, intermediate and near objects clearly. The ability to read and perform other tasks without glasses varies from person to person but it is generally best when multifocal IOLs are placed in both eyes.

Columbia Eye Clinic offers a host of the latest advancements in lens implants and surgical procedure options to create a custom experience for every cataract patient. Although traditional cataract surgery is very effective and successful, when considering your surgical options, laser cataract surgery can offer a host of benefits over traditional procedures and can help you experience the best possible long-term vision.

Regardless of the type procedure and lens you select, you may still need to rely on glasses some of the time, but if correctly selected, your IOLs can greatly reduce your dependence on glasses. Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your options with your ophthalmologist to determine the cataract procedure and IOL that best suits your vision needs and lifestyle.

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What is Astigmatism and how can cataract surgery correct it?

Astigmatism relates to the curvature of your cornea, the clear, round dome covering the eye’s iris and pupil.  Instead of being round and smooth like a basketball, a cornea with astigmatism is more like a football, which is not equally curved in all directions. As a result, your vision for both near and distance objects appear blurry or distorted without correction with glasses or contact lenses.

Ophthalmologists have two ways to correct the corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery in an attempt to minimize your need for correction with glasses or contact lenses after surgery. At the time of cataract surgery, an intraocular lens is placed in the eye. There is a special implant available that has the astigmatism correction built into the implant. The lens will be specially selected for your eye for the degree of astigmatism. It will allow you to have reduced need for correction at one distance after surgery.

Another way to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery is with incisions that are made into the cornea which are placed at the exact location of the astigmatism. Previously, these could only be done manually with a blade. Now, they can be done more accurately with laser-assisted cataract surgery.  A special laser is used to make these incisions as well as opening the front of the cataract and softening it prior to its removal. Your physician at the Columbia Eye Clinic can discuss with you the best option for your eye.

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