Here’s how you choose the best Intraocular Lens for your eyes.  

During your cataract surgery, an Intraocular Lens is implanted in your eye after removal of your natural lens which is known as the crystalline lens or cataract. 
Recent advances in technology have opened up an array of options of these Intraocular Lenses (IOLs).
Several factors such as your day-to-day activities at work or at home, the general health of your eye and your expectations of spectacle free life come into play when deciding on an IOL best suited for you. 
Choosing the ideal Intraocular Lens can oftentimes be a daunting task. This article describes and lists some of the commonly used IOL types. Read on and discuss with your eye doctor to make this important decision.
First, let’s review the IOL options:

  1. Monofocal IOLs
  2. Multifocal IOLs
  3. Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs
  4. Toric IOLs (Multifocal or Monofocal)

Monofocal IOLs:  

What?  
‘Monofocal’ as the name suggests are lenses that are designed to provide the best possible vision at a single particular distance or point of focus. This implies that for any other distance other than the one corrected you’d require spectacles. Monofocal lenses are usually used to correct distance for vision and patients thereafter require glasses for near for reading and intermediate distance for desktop work.
Who?  
Patients with advanced retinal conditions may be advised these IOLs as other options such as multifocal IOLs or EDOF allow less light to reach the back of your eye thus reducing the quality of your vision.

  1. If your insurance doesn’t cover your surgery and cost is a factor for you, these lenses are a great option.
  2. If you drive at night, this may be the best lens for you.
  3. If you go for monofocal IOLs and want to be spectacle free, your eye doctor may discuss the option of ‘monovision’ with you. Monovision is a condition created by implanting an IOL power that corrects distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other. You will thus be able to perform your distance and near activities without the need of spectacles.

Multifocal IOLs:  

What?  
‘Multifocal’ IOLs correct vision at various foci. This could be distance vision and near vision in some lenses or distance, intermediate and near vision in some lenses. These lenses however are reported to cause more glare and haloes around lights and patients often complain of difficulty in driving at night due to this.
Who?  

  1. Patients with a strong desire of a spectacle free life.
  2. If your work/lifestyle doesn’t require you to drive at night.
  3. If you’re willing to pay or if your insurance covers these ‘premium IOLs’.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs:  

What?  
These lenses don’t have a particular fixed point but a zone of correction. This zone spans from the intermediate to far distance and thus allows you to have clear vision for distance and intermediate activities such as working on your laptop, watching a movie, etc. These lenses have reduced night vision symptoms as compared to Multifocal IOLs. However, near activities such as reading would require you to wear spectacles.
Who?  

  1. Patients desiring spectacle free, good quality vision for distance and intermediate work.
  2. Those willing to pay or if your insurance covers these ‘premium IOLs’.

Toric IOLs:  

What?  
Toric IOLs correct the cylindrical component of your refractive error that is caused by your cornea. Your eye doctor may suggest these to you if you have a high cylinder in your prescription. Both, Toric Monofocals and Toric Multifocals are used as per the patient’s preference.
Who?  
Patients with a high cylindrical number in their prescription.