IOL
- Is your Vision Blurry or Foggy?
- Do colors appear dull or muted?
- Are your glasses no longer working?
- Does sunlight or other light seem overly bright or glaring?
- Do you have decreased night vision or see halos around lights?
If you experience one or more of these symptoms you may have cataracts, a clouding of your eye’s natural lens that affects many of us as we age. Cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in adults 55 and over.
Catarct surgery: Clarity in the blink of an eye
Cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures. The operation entails making a tiny incision in the eye and inserting an instrument about the size of a pen tip to break up and remove the cloudy lens. Once the cloudy lens is removed, a cataract replacement lens or “IOL” is inserted through the same tiny incision and set into its permanent position.
What is an IOL?
An intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens that’s implanted during cataract surgery. The good news is that you’ve encountered cataracts at a time when intraocular lens technology has taken great leaps of progress. There are three primary types of lenses currently available, each designed for a specific vision need.
- Monofocal lenses such as the AcrySof® IQ IOL or Tecnis® Monofocal have one point of focus and can usually give you clear distance vision. While distance vision is improved, most patients still need to wear glasses for certain tasks, such as reading or working at a computer.
- Multifocal lenses such as the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL, Tecnis® Multifocal IOL or ReZoom™ Multifocal are designed to replace cataracts and correct presbyopia at the same time. Their goal is to give you a full range of clear vision, near to far, and everywhere in between.
- Astigmatism-correcting lenses such as the AcrySof® Toric IOL are for patients with existing corneal astigmatism. Similar to monofocal lenses, these lenses usually give patients quality distance vision with less dependence on glasses. Most patients will still need to wear glasses for tasks such as reading or working at a computer.
What to expect before and after surgery
It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes or less and most patients are back to their normal activities the very next day. The following facts will help you prepare for surgery:
- An anesthetic will be given to numb the nerves in and/or around your eye.
- Before and/or after surgery your doctor may prescribe eye drops to help prevent infection and reduce swelling.
- Most patients have improved vision soon after surgery, but your sight may continue to improve for several days or weeks.