INTRAOCULAR LENS

What is an Intraocular Lens?

An intraocular lens is an artificial lens, which is implanted into the eye to replace the eye’s natural lens that has lost the ability to focus light.

What are the Different Types of Lenses Used During Cataract Surgery?

There are many different types of lens implants available:

Monofocal Intraocular Lens
The traditional lens implant is a mono-focal intraocular lens, which can be used to correct a certain range of vision (usually the distance vision for driving).

Multifocal Intraocular Lens
The lens implants may correct different portions of your vision, which include:

Distance
Intermediate (computer)
Near (reading)

These implants may help to reduce the need of spectacles after cataract surgery, however, they are not suitable for all individuals as these lenses cause comparatively more glare than the mono-focal lens.

Toric Intraocular Lens
Toric lens implants can be used to correct astigmatism and decrease the dependence of spectacles.

Your ophthalmologist will help you to choose the most suitable lens implant based on your needs and lifestyle.

It is essential to appreciate that spectacles may still be required to provide the sharpest focus in certain conditions despite the most suitable implants are chosen.

Which Intraocular Lenses Should I Choose?

In order to select the most appropriate intraocular lens for your eye, your ophthalmologist needs to make precise eye measurements of eye length, corneal curvature and the estimated position of the lens after surgery.

These measurements are used to create a lens that fits perfectly to your eye topography and provide the best power to help you see clearly.

Optical biometry, keratometry and pachymetry are techniques used to calculate:

eye length,
corneal curvature,
diameter and thickness,
depth of the anterior chamber, and
lens thickness.

Ultrasound devices are also used for measuring eye length in case of dense cataracts.

For more detailed analysis of corneal curvature, including the front and back surfaces, topography and tomography imaging systems create three-dimensional colour-coded maps of the cornea.

Based on the results of these tests and your lifestyle requirements, your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate Intraocular lens for you.