When your natural lens becomes clouded by a cataract, it needs to be replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This permanent implant becomes part of your eye and can dramatically improve your vision. For some people, even better than it’s been in years.
Today’s IOL technology goes far beyond simply replacing your clouded lens. Modern IOLs can correct for distance and near vision, reduce or eliminate astigmatism, and even address refractive errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
At Longwood Eye & LASIK Center, we’re proud to offer the most advanced intraocular lens options available, and we’ll help you choose the one that’s perfect for your lifestyle and vision goals.
Understanding Your IOL Options
Choosing the right IOL is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your cataract surgery. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best lens for you depends on your lifestyle, daily activities, visual needs, and personal preferences.
During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your daily routine, hobbies, and what you hope to achieve. Do you spend hours reading or working on a computer? Love to golf or drive at night? Want to be completely free from glasses? Your answers will help guide your eye doctor to the perfect lens recommendation.
At Longwood Eye & LASIK Center, our cataract surgeons offer two main categories of IOLs: Standard IOLs and Premium IOLs.
Standard IOLs
Standard monofocal IOLs provide excellent vision at one distance, typically far away. They deliver crystal-clear distance vision for activities like driving, watching TV, and enjoying outdoor activities. Most patients with standard IOLs will need reading glasses for close-up tasks.
Our advanced optics monofocal lenses are optimized for peak functional vision and deliver high-quality, real-world performance. These lenses help patients see clearly even in low-light conditions and have been shown to improve patient safety under low-visibility situations, making them excellent choices for drivers.
Standard IOLs are typically covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.
Premium IOLs
Premium IOLs use advanced technology to offer a broader range of vision, often eliminating or reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. While there may be additional out-of-pocket costs for premium lenses, many patients find the investment worthwhile for the freedom and convenience they provide.
Premium IOL Options
Multifocal IOLs
Multifocal IOLs are designed to provide excellent vision at near, intermediate, and far distances, potentially freeing you from glasses for most daily activities.
J&J Tecnis Synergy Multifocal
The Tecnis Synergy is proven to provide excellent vision at all distances under all lighting conditions, day and night. Patients who choose Tecnis Synergy lenses report better visual sharpness at near and intermediate distances compared to monofocal IOLs, with significantly less need for glasses. The lens works by bending light rays to focus on multiple distances, far away, intermediate, and close up, giving you the freedom to enjoy activities without constantly reaching for your glasses.
Alcon Clareon PanOptix Pro
The Clareon PanOptix is an advanced trifocal IOL equipped with ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising exceptional near and distance vision. This lens is designed to provide excellent reading vision and a high level of glasses independence. Imagine reading a book, working on your computer, and enjoying distant views, all without needing to reach for your glasses.
Bausch & Lomb enVista Envy
The enVista Envy offers excellent multifocal performance with advanced optics designed to minimize visual disturbances while providing clear vision at multiple distances.
Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs
EDOF lenses extend your range of clear vision beyond what traditional monofocal lenses offer, providing excellent distance and intermediate vision with functional near vision.
J&J Tecnis Eyhance ICB00
The Tecnis Eyhance is the first monofocal lens designed to slightly extend the depth of focus. Its unique shape delivers monofocal-quality distance vision with improved intermediate and functional near vision, perfect for patients who want better overall visual range without the potential visual effects of multifocal lenses.
Alcon Clareon Vivity
The Clareon Vivity provides patients with monofocal-quality distance vision, combined with excellent intermediate and functional near vision, by harnessing the power of non-diffractive X-WAVE Technology. This innovative design balances depth of field and image quality for exceptional real-world vision.
Extended Range of Vision (EROV) IOLs
EROV lenses use advanced technology to extend your visual range while maintaining high-quality vision across distances.
Bausch & Lomb enVista Aspire
The enVista Aspire offers extended range capabilities with excellent optical quality, providing patients with improved functional vision for daily activities.
Rayner RayOne EMV
The RayOne EMV features a truly non-diffractive optic that utilizes positive spherical aberration to uniquely extend vision while avoiding problems that can arise with diffractive lenses. This lens provides:
- Increased range of focus with high-quality vision
- Monofocal levels of contrast sensitivity
- Reduced visual disturbances (dysphotopsia)
- High levels of patient satisfaction
- Enhanced monovision capabilities with customizable offset
The RayOne EMV is now available on the rotationally stable RayOne toric platform for patients with astigmatism.
Toric IOLs
Astigmatism is an irregular curvature of the cornea that creates distorted vision. Toric IOLs are specially designed to correct astigmatism while also improving your distance vision, potentially eliminating the need for glasses.
Alcon Clareon Aspheric Toric
The Clareon Toric lens combines astigmatism correction with advanced aspheric optics for sharp, clear distance vision. This lens is designed to stay in position for reliable, long-term results.
Bausch & Lomb enVista Toric
The enVista Toric offers excellent astigmatism correction with an advanced optical design for crisp distance vision.
J&J Tecnis Toric
The Tecnis Toric lens provides precise astigmatism correction along with the proven optical performance of the Tecnis platform.
Many premium IOLs are also available in toric versions, allowing you to correct both astigmatism and achieve multifocal or extended range vision in a single lens.
How Much Do IOLs Cost?
Standard monofocal IOLs are typically covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Premium IOLs, including multifocal, toric, and extended depth of focus lenses, may involve additional out-of-pocket costs, as insurance usually covers only the cost of a standard lens.
During your consultation, we’ll review your coverage and help you understand your benefits. We also offer flexible payment plans through CareCredit, including interest-free options, to make premium IOLs more affordable.
Schedule Your IOL Consultation
Ready to learn more about which IOL is right for you? We’ll walk you through all your options, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about your choice.
Call us today at 1-855-286-2020 or request a consultation online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have cataracts, do I have to get an intraocular lens?
Yes. There is no cure for cataracts. The only treatment is surgical removal of the clouded natural lens and replacement with an artificial IOL. If cataracts aren’t treated, the cloudiness will continue to progress until your vision is severely impaired. The good news is that cataract surgery is incredibly fast, incredibly successful, and returns crystal-clear vision to most patients.
How do I know which IOL is right for me?
This is an important decision, and we’re here to help you make it. Your surgeon will consider all aspects of your eye health, lifestyle, personality, and expectations. How much reading or computer work do you do? Do you drive frequently at night? What do you hope to achieve? Based on what we learn, we’ll discuss all your options and recommend the IOL that best fits your needs. We encourage you to do your own research as well and come prepared with questions.
What are the benefits of premium IOLs over standard IOLs?
Standard monofocal IOLs provide excellent distance vision, but you’ll likely need reading glasses for close-up tasks. Premium IOLs, including multifocal, EDOF, and EROV lenses, can provide clear vision at multiple distances, potentially freeing you from glasses for most activities. Toric IOLs correct astigmatism in addition to providing clear vision. While premium IOLs may cost more, many patients find the investment worthwhile for the convenience and freedom they provide.
Will I still need glasses after getting a premium IOL?
It depends on which lens you choose and your visual expectations. Many patients with multifocal or extended depth of focus IOLs find they rarely need glasses for daily activities. However, some may still want glasses for specific tasks like reading very small print or driving at night. Your surgeon will give you realistic expectations based on the lens you select and your individual eyes.
What if I’m not happy with my IOL choice after surgery?
While IOL replacement is possible, it’s a more complex procedure. That’s why we spend so much time during your consultation helping you choose the right lens the first time. We’ll make sure you fully understand your options and have realistic expectations about your results before surgery.
Are there any risks with IOL surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved, including infection, retinal detachment, increased eye pressure, reactions to medications, and vision changes. However, cataract surgery with IOL implantation is one of the most commonly performed and successful procedures, with an excellent safety record. Your surgeon will thoroughly discuss all risks and benefits with you before your surgery.
Can IOLs wear out or need to be replaced?
No. IOLs are designed to last a lifetime and do not wear out. Once implanted, they become a permanent part of your eye and should never need replacement under normal circumstances.