Cataract Premium IOLs
There have been some very exciting advancements in Intra-ocular Lens (IOL) technology that now make different options available to you when you undergo cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery requires the implantation of an IOL (intra-ocular lens) to restore vision. There are many options available to choose from in order to improve your vision.
Single focus IOLs: these IOLs have focus at one point only
If both eyes are targeted for zero, then you will not require glasses for distance vision but you will require glasses for near vision.
If both eyes are targeted for reading (-2.00), then you will not need reading glasses, but you will require glasses for distance vision.
If one eye is targeted for distance (zero) and the other for reading (-2.00), you then have "Monovision" and may find that you are now totally free of glasses. Not everyone can do monovision, but it works very well for the great majority of patients.
Premium Single Focus IOLs
These lenses are the ideal for many cataract patients. The single-focus lens implants give patients the best possible clarity at one distance, either for far away, intermediate or up close. Glasses will be necessary for some activities.
Alcon Acrysof IQ IOL
The IQ IOL, for patients without astigmatism, gives the best potential for quality vision, typically for distance only. The AcrySof IQ lens is a single-piece yellow acrylic IOL with a patented surface modification that treats aberrations and cataracts. These lenses are more difficult to manufacture, but their optics are better. Plus, while all currently available artificial lenses filter UV light, the AcrySof IQ IOL filters both UV and blue light, which more closely mimics the abilities of a natural youthful lens.
Premium IOLs:
Alcon AcrySof Toric IOL
The Toric IOL for cataract patients with astigmatism, corrects both conditions simultaneously (the blurred vision for the cataract as well as the astigmatism). The lens incorporates an optical design that corrects for pre-existing astigmatism in cataract patients, resulting in significantly improved distance visual outcomes.
Multifocal IOLs
Traditional lens implants are monofocal of single-focus lenses, meaning they offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate, or near). The new multifocal lens implants offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance, with less dependence on glasses than the standard mono-focal lens implant. These premium lens implants are available for select patients who meet specific criterion set by the Wellington Eye Clinic ophthalmic surgeons:
Alcon AcrySof ReSTOR IOL
The ReSTOR IOL (+4.00 add) uses apodized diffractive technology - a design that responds to how wide or small the eye's pupil might be - to best provide near and distance vision, but objects at intermediate distances may still be somewhat out of focus. No lens can promise you perfect vision or that you will never have to wear glasses ever again. But in FDA studies with this lens, 80% of patients reported that they never wore glasses after the procedure. When patients did need to wear glasses, most often it was for intermediate distance, for example: piano music, computers that sit further away, top shelves at the supermarket.
Recently a new ReSTOR lens has been launched that has greatly improved the intermediate vision (like PC’s) too. This is the +3.00 add version and is the IOL that we recommend when patients want multifocal implants.
Personalized Attention to Your Particular Needs
Each of these advanced technology implantable lenses uses a slightly different optical design to help you achieve your goal of clear vision. The best way to determine which lens is the best choice for you is by coming in for a thorough eye examination. Once our doctors have measured and examined your eyes, we can discuss your lifestyle and vision needs, and discuss which procedure will help you see your best. Your surgeon at the Wellington Eye Clinic will make his recommendation for you based on your specific physiology and specific requirements.
Cost structure
Premium IOLs require a lot more technology and expertise to manufacture and are therefore more expensive than single focus IOLs. The difference in cost is quite significant with premium IOLs adding €750 to the cost of surgery (for each eye).
You should therefore ask yourself the following questions to help you decide which IOL is best suited for your needs:
Do I want to see better?Yes -> Go ahead and book in for the surgery
No -> Do not book in for the surgery at this time but rather wait until you want to see better
Do I want to see better without the use of glasses?Yes -> Consider using a premium channel IOL
No -> You can book in for surgery with a regular IOL
Am I prepared to bpay extra to be less dependent on glasses for distance and near vision?
Yes -> Go ahead and book in for the surgery with a premium channel IOL
No -> You can book in for surgery with a regular IOL
The Consultant Surgeons at the Wellington Eye Clinic will help you decide which premium channel IOL is best suited to your needs.
Is it the toric IOL (that simultaneously corrects astigmatism)? Or
Is it the multifocal IOL (that gives you distance and near vision without glasses)?
Important:
In order for the premium channel IOLs to give you the best results that they possibly can, their predictability in terms of providing the correct IOL power is paramount. You may therefore need “fine-tuning” with corneal laser surgery after the IOL surgery to provide you with the best visual performance. For those patients that have had premium channel IOL implants, the laser surgery is complimentary. The Wellington Eye Clinic will provide this approximately 4 to 6 weeks later at no additional cost to you. This serves to encourage our surgeons to make sure that the initial IOL calculations are as accurate as can possibly be. Our goal is to have you delighted with your vision following the surgery.
