Years ago if you had cataract surgery, the natural cloudy lens was removed and there was nothing to replace it. People had to wear very thick eyeglasses or special contact lenses to be able to see clearly after cataract surgery. Now, we have a replacement for the eye’s natural lenses called intraocular lenses (IOLs). There are several types of lens implants available to help reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses.

So why do some people still require glasses after cataract 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.

Regardless of the type of 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. Discuss your options with your ophthalmologist to determine the IOL that best suits your vision needs and lifestyle.

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A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that typically occurs with age. Cataracts usually form slowly over a long period of time. Some say that their vision with cataracts is similar to looking through a dirty car windshield. If your vision has become blurry, cloudy, or if your glasses don’t seem to work like they used to, you may be developing a cataract. You may also have difficulty driving at night or experience sensitivity to sunlight or bright lights. You may notice you need more light to read or see halos around lights.

Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and restore vision. Although traditional cataract surgery is very effective and successful, when considering your surgical options, laser-assisted cataract surgery can offer a host of benefits over the traditional procedure and can help you experience your best possible outcome.

The post How do cataracts affect my vision? appeared first on Columbia Eye.

If your doctor advises it is time for cataract surgery, 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.

SURGICAL CHOICES

Standard Surgery

Your surgeon uses hand held instruments to access the cataract under a microscope and remove it from the eye. Medicare and/or insurance typically cover this surgery minus copays or deductibles.

Laser Surgery

Your surgeon utilizes a computer guided laser to assist with the most challenging steps of surgery providing you with the most accurate, predictable visual outcome possible. Laser assisted cataract surgery can also be used to correct mild levels of astigmatism.

LENS CHOICES

Multifocal Lens

A Multifocal lens implant is designed to correct your near, intermediate and distance vision. In the appropriate patient, this can mean less dependence on glasses.

Astigmatism Lens

The majority of patients have some level of astigmatism. Moderate to severe levels of astigmatism can now be corrected with a special toric lens. This can reduce the dependence on glasses.

Standard Lens

Our standard lens is suitable for patients who do not mind wearing glasses for some or all distances. This lens has a single focal point and glasses will be required for other distances. This lens is typically covered by insurance.

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