Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses

Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, are medical devices that are implanted within the eye after a cataract surgery. The IOLs essentially replace the natural lens of the eye that was removed during the surgery to correct cataracts.

Basic implants have only one point of focus, usually set for distance. Glasses are thus required after surgery to see clearly and have a full range of vision. At The Eye MDs, we offer Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses, or ATIOLs, that can correct astigmatism (for clear vision) and/or treat presbyopia (the inability to see at near).

Symfony, Synergy, PanOptix and Vivity: Presbyopia-correcting Implant Lenses

Presbyiopia is a natural aging process that progresses from the mid 40s to 50s, where the lens of the eye stiffens and loses the ability to change focus when attempting to see near objects – thus people require readers or bifocals for near work. There are now ATIOLs that can provide a full range of vision after cataract surgery and thus “correct” presbyopia. Some of our favorites include the Alcon PanOptix and the Tecnis Symfony® implants. While the basic lens has only one distant focal point and cannot focus at near without a bifocal, the Symfony® and the PanOptix ATIOLs provide a continuous range of vision from distance to near. Meaning, you will have a full range of vision without glasses, reducing the need to wear glasses. The Vivity implant is the newest and per Alcon, “A first-of-its-kind, non-diffractive lens that offers a continuous extended range of vision while maintaining a low incidence of visual disturbances, like a monofocal IOL.”

Patients with these Presbyopia-correcting ATIOLs are typically able to do most tasks without glasses, but they are not necessarily 20/20 at any or all distances. Glasses may be needed at times by patients for demanding visual tasks like driving at night, reading fine print, or prolonged reading. Results may vary, but most patients will enjoy a greater freedom from glasses with the wider range of vision provided by these presbyopia-correcting implants.

Toric Implant Lenses

Another type of ATIOL offered by The Eye MDs is the Toric IOL that corrects astigmatism. Astigmatism is present with the clear cornea of the eye is not spherical like a ball, but rather has two different curvatures like a spoon. Astigmatism causes vision to be blurred. Small amounts of astigmatism can be corrected with the laser as part of Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery. But significant astigmatism is corrected by using Toric implants that have astigmatism correcting optics.

There are two categories of Toric (astigmatism-correcting) implants. The Basic Toric allows for corrected distance vision, while the presbyopia-correcting (also called multifocal) Toric implant also allows for vision to be corrected for intermediate and near vision. Both the PanOptix and Symfony presbyopia-correcting implants have toric lens options. 

Light Adjustable Lens

Customize your vision AFTER cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens from RxSight. It’s the first and only intraocular lens (IOL) that allows your physician to optimize your vision following cataract surgery. You will be able to preview and compare possible vision outcomes with your doctor based
on your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. Vision optimization is done by your eye doctor after lens implantation through a series of painless light treatment procedures that precisely reshape your lens. The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior vision outcomes that non-adjustable IOLs cannot match. The LAL is 2 times as likely to achieve 20/20 vision without glasses vs. standard monofocal IOLs*.

Good Vision is Priceless 

Your vision correction should be looked at as an investment in yourself, and while ATIOLs are more expensive, the benefit of correcting astigmatisms and/or presbyopia can provide a future that has much more freedom form glasses. At The Eye MDs, our cataract surgeons are happy to discuss all of the different lens options and help figure out what one is best for you.

*US Food and Drug Administration. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness (SSED) of Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device system.