Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants
About Lens Implants
Not too long ago selecting the type of lens implant for each patient was really the responsibility of their cataract surgeon. Today, there are a number of types of lens implants that can help you reach your vision correction goals after cataract surgery.
Monofocal Lens Implants
Until a few years ago, all lens implants were of a type called a monofocal lens implants. A monofocal lens implant provides excellent vision after cataract surgery-but only at one set distance-usually for seeing things at a distance. A monofocal lens implant does not correct Presbyopia or enable you to see close objects or even read without reading glasses or bifocals. This means for seeing distant signs when driving, going to a movie or going to a ballgame, a monofocal lens implant will provide the vision you need to see clearly. But with a monofocal lens implant you will most likely need to wear eyeglasses for any type of near vision activity-for example reading, knitting, sewing, playing cards or keeping your golf score will require you to wear glasses.
Aspheric Lens Implants
Aspheric Lens Implants are also “monofocal” in that they are capable of helping you see at only one set distance after cataract surgery. However, they are different from the “basic” monofocal lens implant in that they are specially designed to minimize or eliminate the aberrations that can cause “glare” and disturb some patients. Eliminating “glare” is important to certain patients after cataract surgery as it helps improve both contrast and sharpness of vision. Aspheric Lens Implants do not correct Presbyopia, and thus even with an Aspheric Lens Implant, you will still need eyeglasses, bifocals or reading glasses to help you see at arm’s length or up close. However, for patients who want the best possible distance vision after cataract surgery, Aspheric Lens Implants are an excellent choice. Aspheric Lens Implants usually cost slightly more than a basic lens implant and it is possible that your insurance will not completely cover the cost of the Aspheric Lens Implant. Our staff will be happy to discuss the benefits of Aspheric Lens Implants when you have your cataract surgery consultation.
Toric Lens Implants
A Toric Lens Implant is a type of lens implant that corrects astigmatism after cataract surgery. For those patients who have a considerable amount of astigmatism prior to their cataract surgery, it is likely that having a Toric Lens Implant will be recommended in order to achieve the best possible distance vision. However, Toric Lens Implants do not correct Presbyopia and thus even with a Toric Lens Implant, you will still need eyeglasses, bifocals or reading glasses to help you see at arm’s length or up close. Toric Lens Implants usually cost slightly more than a basic lens implant and it is possible that your insurance will not completely cover the cost of the Toric Lens Implant. Our staff will be happy to discuss the benefits of Toric Lens Implants when you have your cataract surgery consultation.
Multifocal Lens Implants
Today, our surgeons are able to offer you the choice of a presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implant. A presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implant provides excellent vision after cataract surgery at a variety of distances. Depending on your specific vision requirement, there are several types of presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implants our surgeons might suggest, including the ReSTOR® Lens Implant, the ReZoom Lens Implant and the Crystalens Lens implant. These presbyopia correcting lens implants or Intraocular Lenses (IOL) works in a different way to help you achieve your vision correction goals of being able to see at a variety of distances after cataract surgery, without being dependent on eyeglasses. Presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implants correct both your distance vision and your presbyopia after cataract surgery. For the vast majority of patients, having a multifocal lens implant means that you will be able to see at distance and up close without being dependent on eyeglasses. So, patients choosing to have a presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implant will likely find that they can drive, watch television, read or do crafts-without the need for glasses.
In general, patients who choose to have monofocal lens implants will be dependent on glasses in about 70% of cases. Patients who choose to have multifocal lens implants will only be dependent on glasses in only 15% of cases.
So, patients choosing multifocal lens implants typically experience a greater overall freedom from glasses allowing them to participate in most everyday activities without dependence on, or the hassle of glasses.
As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks as well as benefits. During your eye examination and cataract consultation with Drs. Alterman. Modi and Wolter, they will perform a cataract examination and then arrange your cataract surgery scheduling. In addition, our staff will the spend the time necessary to review the everyday activities that are most important to you-and whether being independent of glasses for those activities is something that you would like to achieve.
As you prepare for your visit to Seeta Eye Centers, it will be helpful to Drs. Alterman, Modi and Wolter if you would begin thinking about what those activities are so that you can discuss them and explore them with the staff.
If you decide to have a presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implant, our staff will make sure to review your questions and fully explain any additional fees related to the multifocal lens implant that you might be responsible for. Medicare and most insurance covers the cost of the cataract surgery, the surgical facility fee for cataract surgery, the surgeon’s fee for cataract surgery-but not the cost of the presbyopia correcting multifocal lens and its implantation. In most cases, Medicare or the insurance provider asks Seeta Eye Centers to bill you for the additional cost of the necessary testing, the multifocal lens and its implantation. Our staff will be pleased to review any costs as well arrange easy affordable monthly payments to fit your budget, should you decide that the multifocal lens is the best choice.
If you, a family member or friend suspect that you have a cataract it would be our pleasure to arrange an eye examination or cataract surgery evaluation at Seeta Eye Centers for you. Please call us at 845.485.5712 to schedule your appointment.
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