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Eye on Lens Technology: Exploring Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options for Cataract Surgery
When it comes to cataract surgery, choosing the right intraocular lens (IOL) is crucial for achieving optimal vision outcomes. IOLs are artificial lenses implanted to replace the eye’s natural lens, addressing the primary issue of cataract but can also address for the correction of presbyopia or refractive errors.
Advances in lens technology have significantly improved the quality and diversity of available lenses, allowing for customization based on individual lifestyles and visual needs.
At North Toronto Eye Surgical Centre, we offer a wide range of IOL options, from monofocal lenses for distance correction to premium lifestyle lenses. Monofocal lenses provide excellent vision but require the use of glasses for certain activities. Premium lifestyle lenses offer enhanced features that can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses altogether.
Lens Candidacy and Personalized Assessment
Selecting the appropriate IOL for each patient involves advanced diagnostics to gather detailed information about the eye’s shape and curvature. These tests, help your doctor determine the best option for your specific needs and in an uninsured service.
Our experienced surgeons and cataract team will conduct comprehensive tests and examinations to determine the best IOL option for you. We consider factors such as your lifestyle, visual needs, and any existing health conditions to ensure you receive the most suitable lens for your unique situation.
Understanding Intraocular Lenses (IOL) Options and the 3 Zones of Vision
To understand how different types of IOLs can benefit you, it is important to understand the 3 zones of vision
Far Distance Vision
This zones includes everything beyond 1 meter. This zone is relevant for activities such as seeing street signs for driving and watching TV
Intermediate Vision
This zone covers distances from about 60 to 100cm, which is ideal for tasks such as computer work and cooking.
Near Vision
This zone ranges from 35cm to 50cm, perfect for reading and other close-up activities.
Discover the Perfect IOL for Your Vision Needs and Lifestyle!
- Monofocal (Clareon®)
- Refractive Monofocal (Eyhance™)
- Toric (Astigmatism Correction)
- Extended Range (PureSee™, Vivity™)
- Trifocal or Full Range of Vision (PanOptix®, Synergy™)
Monofocal lenses are often referred to as a distance lens because they correct only a single zone of vision, typically in the far distance.
- A standard spherical lens, covered by OHIP, offers distance vision. However, you may need glasses to achieve optimal clarity across all three vision zones, as it does not correct spherical aberrations. There are no additional costs for patients choosing this lens, as A Scan Biometry, the standard OHIP-insured measurement, is used during cataract surgery.
- An aspheric monofocal lens enhances image quality by minimizing spherical aberrations, delivering sharper, clearer images with better contrast, especially in low light conditions, compared to a spherical lens.
This generally means watching TV, seeing road signs, going for walks, and outdoor activities will be clear but near tasks such as reading the newspaper or looking at the phone will be blurry unless glasses are worn.
Clareon® IOL is an aspheric monofocal lens, is crafted for superior image clarity. It includes a yellow filter to protect the eyes from UV rays and blue light. Unique to Clareon, it is implanted using the first and only automated disposable pre-loaded system, making the implantation process during surgery easier and safer.
Lens Brands
Acrysof™ IQ Monofocal, Clareon® Monofocal, TECNIS Monofocal
Achieve Clear, Sharp Vision with Refractive Monofocal Lenses!
The TECNIS Eyhance™ IOL is an innovative monofocal lens that surpasses standard monofocals with its advanced refractive surface design. It expands your range of vision, offering functional intermediate vision while maintaining exceptional distance clarity.
This innovative lens provides a wider range of vision, covering both intermediate and distance zones. It ensures clear distance vision and supports activities like gardening, cooking, and driving. However, you may still need reading glasses for close-up tasks such as reading or using your phone.
Key Benefits:
- Minimal Visual Disturbances: Enjoy exceptional low-light performance, providing a comfortable night-time vision experience comparable to monofocal lenses.
- High Spectacle Independence: Many patients achieve a high level of independence from glasses, especially for distance and intermediate vision. The lens’s progressive power design from the periphery to the center ensures seamless binocular comfort in monovision.
Monovision with cataract surgery involves the use of two different powered lenses to provide functional clarity in the far distance zone and intermediate to near zones. It often results in compromised vision as the clarity may not be sharp across all three zones of vision and often requires task specific glasses, such as night driving or reading up close.
With its modern surface design of progressive power from the periphery to the centre of the lens, the Eyhance™ achieves seamless binocular comfort through Blended Vision. As a result, patients experience a high level of spectacle independence, extending across distance and intermediate vision zones.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea, the eye’s front surface, has a different curvature or shape, often resembling a football. This irregularity causes light rays entering the eye to scatter, leading to blurred vision as they reach the retina.
Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) or glasses can correct astigmatism. For optimal results with toric IOLs, surgeons must precisely identify your astigmatic axis and align the lens accordingly. Specialized tools are often used to determine this axis. Toric IOLs have peripheral markers that help surgeons visualize and adjust the lens for ideal correction.
Many IOLs, including premium lifestyle lenses, incorporate a toric component to provide clear vision across multiple zones.
Lens Brands
TECNIS Toric, Clareon® Toric
Enjoy Clear Vision at Multiple Distances with Extended Range Lenses! Extended Range or EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) lenses are designed to provide clear distance vision and excellent intermediate vision, with some functional near vision. While you might still need glasses for specific tasks, especially for close-up work, these lenses can significantly reduce your dependence on eyewear.
Key Benefits:
- Multiple Focal Points: Designed to help you see clearly across multiple zones of vision without the need for glasses.
- Active Lifestyle: Ideal for sports and daily activities without the hassle of eyewear.
- Navigate new routes effortlessly clear road signs and dashboard GPS .
- Explore new recipes in your kitchen whether you’re using a cookbook or digitally through ipad.
- Monitor your vitals on your smartwatch with ease while cycling, jogging, or swimming
- Respond to text messages and check emails on the go.
Considerations:
- Reading Glasses: You may still need reading glasses for fine print.
Our EDOF IOL Options
TECNIS PureSee™ IOL by Johnson & Johnson: This innovative lens marks a major leap in cataract surgery technology. It employs continuous power technology to deliver clear vision from distance to intermediate and functional near ranges, significantly reducing the need for glasses. The lens’s pure design boosts contrast sensitivity, ensuring excellent nighttime vision comparable to monofocal lenses.
Learn More About TECNIS PureSee™
TECNIS Symfony™ IOL by Johnson & Johnson: This lens incorporates a blend of proprietary technologies to minimize light scatter and enhance visual sharpness. It offers a broad range of vision, aiming to reduce the dependency on glasses post-surgery.
Clareon® Vivity® IOL by Alcon: Utilizing non-diffractive X-Wave™ technology, this lens provides a continuous extended range of vision while minimizing halos, glare, and starbursts. It supports daily activities without the need for glasses.
Enjoy Unmatched Freedom from Glasses with Trifocal Lenses! Trifocal or multifocal lenses offer a broad range of vision, significantly enhancing clarity across all three vision zones.
Key Benefits:
- Spectacle-free Lifestyle: Provides more freedom to live your life with clear vision across all three zones, without the need for glasses.
- Multitask: Clarity during work when jotting notes, using the computer, and seeing your colleagues as they present new ideas.
- Convenience: Enjoy improved vision for daily activities like shaving, applying makeup, and texting your loved ones.
- Explore Your Hobbies to the Fullest: Appreciate photography from the initial capture to final edits. Enjoy creating music from reading sheet music, digital composition, or playing an instrument.
Considerations:
- Glare and Halos: Patients may experience glare and haloes at night, but they typically diminish over time
Our Trifocal IOL Options
Clareon® PanOptix® IOL by Alcon: Utilizing ENLIGHTEN® technology, this lens delivers sharp and crisp vision across all distances. It includes a yellow filter to block harmful UV rays and blue light, protecting your eyes. The PanOptix® IOL has been highly successful in providing patients with spectacle independence and high satisfaction.
TECNIS Synergy™ IOL by Johnson & Johnson: This advanced multifocal lens offers continuous high-contrast vision at all distances. It enhances near vision compared to other trifocals and uses violet-light filtering technology to reduce halos and glare at night, improving overall night vision quality.
Insurance Coverage
Various refractive correction options are available, including premium lifestyle intraocular lenses (IOLs) like trifocal or extended range IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, and other specialized diagnostics. These services incur additional costs as they are not considered medically necessary. Innovations in cataract surgery aim to improve refractive outcomes for patients seeking independence from glasses or contact lenses, albeit at an extra financial cost.
| Feature | OHIP-Covered Monofocal Lenses | Non-OHIP Insured/ Premium Lenses |
| Type of Vision Correction | Improves vision at a single distance (usually far). | Can improve vision at multiple distances (far, intermediate, and/or near). |
| Dependence on Glasses | Most likely will need glasses for both distance and close-up tasks. | Less reliance on glasses for most activities, including reading and driving. |
| Astigmatism Correction | Does not correct astigmatism. | Toric versions are available to correct astigmatism. |
| Night Vision | May experience increased glare and haloes at night due to contrast loss. | Aspheric lenses will reduce glare/haloes, enhancing night vision. |
| Cost | Covered by OHIP, no out-of-pocket fees for the lens. | Additional costs apply and is not covered by OHIP. |
| Visual Outcome Customization | Provides a standard visual outcome with a one-size-fits-all approach. | Tailored to your specific visual needs, offering a more personalized experience. |
| Surgery Technique | Standard cataract surgery procedure. | Can be combined with advanced laser-assisted techniques for greater precision and potentially faster recovery. |
| Patient Satisfaction | Generally satisfactory due to basic vision correction. | Higher satisfaction due to improved vision quality and reduced need for glasses. |
