What is an Intraocular Lens (IOL)?
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are tiny artificial lenses implanted in the eye during cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. They replace the eye’s natural lens, which has become cloudy due to cataracts or simply needs correction to improve vision. The IOL works by focusing light entering the eye onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This allows the brain to receive clear images, resulting in improved vision.
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Choosing the Right IOL for You
Before cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye exam using advanced instruments like the Haag-Streit Eyestar. This technology precisely measures your eye’s shape and length (optical biometry). These measurements are crucial for selecting the most suitable IOL for your unique needs and desired vision correction.
Johnson Eyhance
Intraocular Lens Implant
Monofocal IOL
These are the most commonly used lenses. They provide exceptional clarity at a chosen distance, typically distance vision. While most patients achieve excellent distance vision with monofocal IOLs, reading glasses may still be necessary for close-up tasks.
Toric IOL
Some patients have a “rugby ball shaped” eyeball (astigmatism), which can result in blurred, unaided vision, ie without glasses post-surgery using a monofocal IOL. This can be addressed either by:
1. Improving the shape of the cornea (window at the front of the eye) by
performing relaxing corneal incisions during the cataract procedure (LRI’s = “limbal relaxing incisions”).
2. The astigmatism can be neutralised using an oval Toric lens implant, eg Rayner Toric, AcrySof IQ Toric (Alcon). These implants require very
accurate positioning in order that the astigmatic lens implant counter acts the “rugby ball shaped” cornea. Reducing any astigmatism present allows for better-unaided vision, thereby reducing the need for using spectacles.
Rayner RayOne Toric Lens Implant
Rayner RayOne EMV Lens Implant
Extended Depth of Focus IOL
Some people are keen not to wear any spectacles at all after cataract
surgery. This can sometimes be achieved using monofocal lens implants by
aiming to have the focussing of one eye for distance vision and the other for
near work (this is called “monovision”). Alternatively there is now the option
of using the latest generation of Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses
eg: Rayner EMV intraocular lens or Multifocal intraocular lens implants that
offer the possibility of providing both clear distance and near unaided vision
post-operatively.
Trifocal IOL
One such trifocal lens is the PanOptix that is based on
Alcon’s market-leading AcrySof design, the most frequently used lens implant
in the world. It has sophisticated optics which allows over 80% of selected
patients to become independent of spectacles after cataract surgery. Even
people with astigmatism have a chance of leaving their glasses behind
forever with some of the latest advancements in cataract surgery technology
– the innovative PanOptix Multifocal Toric IOL (www.alconsurgical.com) and
the Rayner RayOne Toric Trifocal IOL.
Alcon AcrySof IQ Toric
PanOptix lens implant
Alcon AcrySof IQ
PanOptix lens implant
Contact Us
We’re here to answer your questions and help you achieve optimal eye health.
Get In Touch
- Phone: 01903495532
- Location : 1 Brooks Rd, Lewes BN7 2DN
- Email: contact@eyedoctorclinic.co.uk
Opening Hours
- Monday - Saturday 10 am -6 pm