Your doctor will help you choose an intraocular lens, or IOL, for implantation, following cataract surgery. The first choice is between monofocal and a multifocal lenses. Monofocal lenses correct only for a particular distance, for example, for distance only. Multifocal lenses, on the other hand, can correct for all distances. This means that your vision is as sharp for intermediate and near vision. While the former are the most commonly used lenses following cataract surgery, the latter are fast becoming more popular. This is because they offer freedom from both dictance as well as near vision glasses.
What are the benefits of multifocal lenses?
Multifocal lenses, obviously, offer you better vision. This is true for all distances, for far, as well as reading. In fact, these IOLs also help you read better at intermediate distances like when using a computer.
Freedom from spectacles
These actually provide you good vision with glasses, for all distances. If you choose a monofocal lens, you will need spectacle correction for both near and intermediate distances. In fact, multifocal lenses truly decrease your dependence on glasses in all real life situations.
Increased comfort and better quality of life
Since your vision is sharper for all distances, and you do not really need spectacles for most activities, multifocal lenses improve your quality of life significantly. They are especially helpful in outdoor sports like cycling, running and swimming, and enable a more active lifestyle.
What are the disadvantages of multifocal lenses?
No artificial lenses can be perfect. In fact, more than the advantages, you must discuss the relative drawbacks of both kinds of IOLs with your doctor, before choosing them. These include:
Impaired vision in low light
This means that your night vision may not be as good as day time vision. Some patients even complain of visual disturbances while driving.
Glare and halos
Some patients may experience glare and halos around bright lights, which may impair driving at night.
You may still need reading glasses
Even though these IOLs correct your vision for near, you may need glasses for reading fine print. In fact, this may be especially true especially in conditions of low light. For most day to day reading, however, you will not need reading glasses.
Higher cost
Multifocal lenses are more expensive than monofocal lenses, and are usually not covered by insurance.
Special consideration
Glaucoma and Diabetes
Your doctor may not want to implant a multifocal IOL if you are suffering from glaucoma. In fact, they also may discourage you from these lenses if you are suffering from diabetes. This is because some multifocal lenses may interfere with the diagnostic procedures used for glaucoma. Certain other multifocal lenses may interfere with laser procedures used for treating diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about your choices
That said, your doctor will help you decide what works best for your eyes, depending on both, your eye health and visual needs.
