Advancement in IOL in India

Advanced Iols.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are medical devices that are implanted inside the eye to replace the eye's natural lens when it is removed during cataract surgery. The evolution of IOL designs has been rapid, and extensive development of new advanced IOLs has occurred in recent years.This article aims at answering most common queries centred around newest lenses, who are the eligible candidates and why should one opt for them.

Q1. My grandfather had cataract surgery years ago, and he had to wear thick glasses afterward. Is this still necessary?

Rarely does anyone have to wear thick, heavy eyeglasses after cataract surgery these days. Most modern cataract procedures replace your eye's natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) that often can correct your distance vision to 20/20 without glasses or contact lenses.In fact, premium and advanced technology iols  can even eliminate your need for reading glasses after cataract surgery. During your pre-op exam, ask your cataract surgeon for more details about how to reduce your need for glasses after surgery.

Q2.What are intraocular lenses and what are advanced technology intraocular lenses?

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are permanent, replacement lenses placed in the eye following cataract removal. Similar to a camera lens, IOLs focus your vision and deliver a clear, crisp image. While standard lenses are effective in improving vision and delivering a clear image,  lenses with advanced technology can specifically correct astigmatism as well as distance, midrange, and near vision. Various types thus are:

1.Aspheric monofocal :resemble profile of natural lens hence providing crisp quality of vision for single focus viz. near or distance.

2.Toric iol:correct astigmatism

3. Multifocal lenses:vision for near distance and intermediate distance all the three.

4.Extended depth of focus lenses: newer generation lenses that provide excellent image quality for  all distance by virtue of elongation of focus.

Q3How will I know which lens is right for me?

A3. By assessing the health of your eyes and your lifestyle needs, your doctor will recommend the best lens to suit your needs. A traditional monofocal lens will give you sharp distance vision, but you will need to wear glasses for activities such as reading and using the computer.

•  Advanced technology lenses like multifocal IOLs are designed to give you sharper vision for near, intermediate, and far vision with less dependence on glasses, even in low-light or dim situations.


•  And if you have astigmatism, a toric lens is specifically designed to provide you with high-quality distance vision; however, you may still need glasses for near vision.

Q4. How does it really matter that I opt for an advanced technology Intraocular lens?

A4.Advanced technology IOLs offer new innovations and the  potential for better results than ever:

New technologies are designed to offer sharper eyesight and vision closer to a healthy, youthful lens.Advanced technology lenses can correct conditions in addition to cataracts, like astigmatism, spherical aberration and presbyopia. Multifocal lenses provide good vision at all distances, so that patients no longer need to rely as much on glasses after surgery.

Q5. I don’t want to wear any kind of glasses once my cataract gets removed. Do I have an option?

A4. Yes. You can consider multifocal lenses or extended depth of focus lenses or trifocal lenses for catering to all distances of vision.

Q6.Am I a right candidate for multifocal lenses or extended depth of focus lenses?

A6. Patients with long standing diabetes with   diabetic retinopathy , any h/o any intraocular disease or inflammation may not be the right candidate for surgery. It is only after a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist can you be recommended about your feasibility for cataract surgery.

Multifocal lenses offer a number of advantages to patients who wish to increase their spectacle independence, but it may take them a little time to adapt to their new lenses postoperatively.

Potential candidates:

• Enjoy activities and hobbies that require visual acuity at multiple distances, such as reading, driving and attending sporting or theater events
• Want to be less dependent on spectacles
• Have presbyopia or myopia
• Qualify for bilateral implantation
• Have no preexisting ocular pathology

Q6.My doctor has recommended me to go for toric lenses. What if I go for simple single focus lenses.?

A6.Most people with cataracts want not only to have clear vision after cataract surgery, but freedom from eyeglasses as well.One thing that can prevent that from happening is residual astigmatism after surgery.Astigmatism is very common before and after cataract surgery. Almost one in three people who are candidates for cataract surgery  have at least 1.0 diopter (D) of astigmatism, which is enough to cause noticeably blurred vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses.Toric lens is specifically designed for patients who have a significant amount of astigmatism. If you do not choose toric lenses on being recommended , you should be prepared mentally to use glasses for distance as well as near in case of monofocal iol or multifocal iol.The visual quality  without any glasses tends to become unsatisfactory.

Q7.Are there anyspecific advantages of extended depth of focus lenses?

A7. The new Extended depth of focus (EDOF)IOLs were specially developed with features to improve both the range and quality of vision and is being classified as a new category of cataract lenses. In a clinical study, patients with these were compared with patients with the standard monofocal IOL, and the study showed the patients with the EDOF IOL had greater improvements to their intermediate and near range vision, all while maintaining similar distance vision. The Symfony patients were also less likely to need corrective lenses after surgery, and had higher visual perception in any lighting condtions, with lesser incidence of glare or haloes.

Q8. What are trifocal lenses?

A7. These latest-generation lenses are called trifocals because they offer clear vision at middle distances, which is generally anything at arm’s length. This is in addition to providing near and far vision.What’s more, trifocal lenses allow a person to switch effortlessly between all three distances – near (reading) distance, long distance and the in between distances. Vision is clear at all those points. However, there are cases where a trifocal lens might not be the answer. For those with underlying eye problems (e.g. people with retinal or corneal issues), people who depend on night vision and amateur and professional pilots, trifocals may not be the best answer.

Q9. I have astigmatism , and I also don’t want to wear any glasses for any distance after surgery. Is there an option available.?

A9. Yes ,indeed. Most multifocal , extended depth of ofocus lenses or trifocal lenses come in toric versions also.