Multifocal Intraocular lens Implant Surgery
Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
What is a multifocal lens?
A multifocal lens has more than one point of focus. A bifocal, which is a type of multifocal, has two points of focus, one at a distance and the other at near.
A multifocal lens implant focuses light from a distance and near simultaneously. This feature addresses both distant and near vision and makes the recipient less dependent on glasses or contact lenses. A multifocal lens compensates for the eyes' inability to change shape by allowing the eye to see at a distance and near simultaneously through the same optic.
How are multifocal intraocular lenses implanted?
Multifocal intraocular lens implantation is similar to the cataract surgery as it involves the ophthalmologist removing the eye’s natural lens through a small incision that is made onto the cornea, so that it may be replaced with the multifocal lens. Before the implantation, you will go through testing so that the ophthalmologist may measure the shape and size of the eye.
What to expect after multifocal lens implantation?
The multifocal lens implant provides very good reading vision and very good distance vision. 25% of patients note glare and haloes around lights at night, a feature that is inherent to multifocal lenses. These effects may interfere with your ability to drive comfortably at night. However, most patients find that they get used to this phenomenon with time and the glare and haloes become less obvious. Night driving spectacles may assist in reducing this phenomenon.
Will I need glasses after surgery?
If you opt to receive a mono-focal lens implanted in both eyes for distance vision, you will need reading glasses after surgery. If you receive a multifocal lens, there is an 80% chance you won’t need glasses. The odds of becoming free of spectacles are better if your corneal astigmatism is low and your eyes are healthy.
FAQ
A multifocal lens implant focuses light from a distance and near simultaneously. This feature addresses both distant and near vision and makes the recipient less dependent on glasses or contact lenses.
No. The natural lens of a young person changes shape to produce a change in focus. As a person ages, the natural lens becomes more rigid and functions more like a monofocal lens. Lens implants do not change shape. A multifocal lens compensates for the eye's inability to change shape by splitting the light between distance and near simultaneously through the same optic.
The primary alternative to multifocal lens implantation is monofocal lens implantation. If you request a monofocal lens, you will have to decide whether you want distance vision lens implants in both eyes and whether you want a distance vision implant in one eye and a near vision implant in the other eye. This latter arrangement, called monovision, provides adequate distance and near vision, as it is best suited for patients who have tried monovision contact lenses previously and like the effect. Another alternative to a multifocal lens is the accommodative lens implant.
Implantation of a multifocal lens is associated with all the risks and side effects of cataract surgery.
We hope so, if not, it should be pretty close. Because the light is split between distance and near quality of the vision will not be as good as a monofocal.
If you opt to receive a monofocal lens implanted in both eyes for distance vision, you will need reading glasses after surgery. If you receive a multifocal lens, there is an 80% chance you won't need glasses. The odds of becoming free of spectacles are better if your corneal astigmatism is low and your eyes are healthy.
No. It is recommended for most patients, but not for patients who have an underlying eye disease or high astigmatism. Patients with unrealistic expectations may not be appropriate for multifocal lenses.
We will prescribe glasses to optimize your vision. You may also elect to wear contact lenses. If you want to improve your unaided vision further, we will offer you refractive surgery (e.g. LASIK eye surgery). Only if there is a significant error in lens power calculation will we consider a lens implant exchange.
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