Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL)-What You Should Know

“Intraocular Lens Implants or as they are more commonly called Intraocular Lenses or IOLs, are tiny artificial plastic lenses that we use to correct vision after Cataract Surgery”, commented Maine Cataract Surgeon and Glaucoma Specialist Robert Daly, M.D. at Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine.

Before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of intraocular lenses in 1981 patients who had Cataract Surgery were forced to wear thick eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve their vision. Today there are several types of advanced technology IOLs that can help Cataract patients get the best possible vision correction after Cataract Surgery.

Monofocal Lens Implants vs. Multifocal Lens Implants (IOL)
Traditional IOLs were of a type called Monofocal Lens Implants as they provide improvement in vision at one set distance-usually for seeing far away. For many Cataract patients this is adequate. But for others who would like to be able to see at distance as well as at arm’s length and near without necessarily having to wear glasses to do so, another option is a multifocal or accommodating lens implant . “These types of Lens Implants offer our patients the ability to see more clearly at a range of distances by replacing the eye’s natural lens with a new artificial lens”, said Maine Cataract Surgeon William Holt, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group.

Astigmatism Correcting Toric Lens Implants (IOL)
“Until recently patients who had astigmatism before their Cataract Surgery generally had to also either wear eyeglasses to correct the astigmatism after their Cataract Surgery or even have an additional surgical procedure to correct the astigmatism”, said Maine Cataract Surgeon and Glaucoma Specialist Samuel Solish, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group. Today if freedom from glasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. Drs, Cassidy, Holt, Daly, Solish and Sterrer are able to implant a unique type of intraocular lens- astigmatism correction IOL to correct your vision and provide significantly improved distance vision without the need for eyeglasses.

Aspheric Lens Implants (IOL)
Most patients’ eyes have optical distortions or imperfections called aberrations. Aberrations result in a decrease in vision and visual function. One more common type of aberration is called spherical aberration. Spherical aberration is generally associated with blurriness, halos, lost of contrast and poor night vision. Eyecare Medical Group Cataract Surgeons Drs. Cassidy, Holt, Daly, Solish and Sterrer are now able to implant aspheric lens implants to provide patients with improved image quality and enhanced clarity. “My Cataract Surgery patients who have aspheric lens implants report that they have excellent vision in dim illumination such as on foggy or rainy days and really notice the improvement in their night driving comfort”, said Jordan Sterrer, M.D.

If you think you have a Cataract or have been told you have a Cataract and would like to be less dependent on glasses it is worthwhile to learn more about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants by scheduling an examination and consultation. Please feel free to call Eyecare Medical Group Toll Free at 888.374.2020.