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The use of synthetic lenses to replace a cataract-filled lens wasn’t widely accepted until the 1970’s. Before then, a surgeon would remove the cataract-filled natural lens and a person would have to wear extremely thick glasses for the rest of their life. Even with the glasses, their vision was still not the best.

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The lens of your eye refracts (or bends) light as it enters your eye. When your natural lens is affected by a cataract, the lens must be removed completely. Without that lens, your eye cannot focus the light coming into your eye onto your retina.

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Intraocular lenses are synthetic lenses that act just as your regular lens would. In more recent years, the technology of these lenses has advanced and they can now also correct existing refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) for many patients. At Waco Custom LASIK & Cataract Center, we provide these lenses to our patients to help restore their youthful vision.

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Monofocal IOLs



Monofocal IOLs are the traditional type of IOL. Monofocal means one focus of lens, which means that they will only provide vision for one distance. This distance, or power, for the lens is calculated prior to surgery and is usually for far vision. When monofocal IOLs are used, the patient will still require glasses for near vision.



Multifocal IOLs



Multifocal IOLs are referred to as Lifestyle IOLs, or Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs, because they are designed with multiple focusing properties. This means the lens can focus near, far, and in between, which can eliminate the need for reading glasses.

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Toric IOLs



Toric IOLs are also considered Lifestyle IOLs, as they were designed for people suffering from astigmatism. These IOLs are perfect for people suffering from cataracts and astigmatism if they do not wish to or are not a good candidate to have LASIK to correct the astigmatism.



Astigmatism is when a cornea has an oblong shape rather than a round shape. This causes light to focus on multiple points on the retina, which results in blurred vision. The Toric IOL is designed to off-set the shape of the cornea so that light focuses on the retina and vision is clear.



The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported in March 2009 that Toric IOLs can correct astigmatism substantially better than other options, and that after three months, 70% of the patients in the study who received Toric IOLs achieved 20/40 vision or better.



Accommodating IOLs



Accommodating IOLs are Lifestyle IOLs that are designed to work with the muscles of the eye to focus upon whatever distance is needed. These IOLs provide sharp vision for multiple distances.

The staff at Waco Custom LASIK & Cataract Center will counsel each patient about their best IOL option according to lifestyle, medical and eye health history, and after performing a comprehensive consultation.