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Intra-ocular lenses (IOL) are used in surgical procedures in which the natural lens of the eye is removed because of a medical condition such as cataracts that adversely affect vision, and an artificial lens is put in its place. If you are considering a surgical procedure in which intra-ocular lenses will be used, it’s important to have as much information as possible.

The Options

There are four basic types of IOLs:

• Phakic

• Premium Contrast Monofocal
• Toric Monofocal
• Multifocal

Phakic IOLs are implantable contact lenses that can be placed over the eye’s natural lens without having to remove it. These lenses can correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and presbyopia.

Monofocal IOLs improve vision by compensating for aberrations in the spherical shape of the eye. These aberrations hurt overall vision quality. Toric monofocal IOLs are most often used in patients with astigmatism, while premium contrast monofocal IOLs are for average vision deterioration. Both monofocal IOLs correct distance vision but still require glasses for close vision.

Multifocal IOLs improve upon monofocal IOLs by improving by both far and near vision, often eliminating the need for glasses for close vision activities like reading.

Multifocal Options

Exciting advances are being made in multifocal IOL technology. Three of these advances are:

• ReZoom Lens
• ReStor Lens
• Crystalens Accommodating Lens

The ReZoom is a foldable, three-piece lens that distributes light over five different zones in the eye, improving vision in long, medium, and short ranges. The ReStor lens also improves vision in all three ranges, but accomplishes this through an apodized diffractive optic design, allowing the retina to receive light from varying distances without having to move. The ReStor lens can be used in presbyopic lens exchange (PRELEX) procedures.

Crystalens Accommodating lenses are specifically designed for cataract surgery, but are also the first cataract lens to “accommodate,” which means that the lens mimics the natural focusing mechanics, resulting in sharper vision at a range of distances

More info from the Author:

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are considering a surgical procedure in which intra-ocular lenses will be used, or are displeased with your eyesight due to severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cataracts, please visit the website of the eye experts at the Khanna Institute of LASIK and Refractive Surgery for a free consultation.