Refractive Lens Surgery

Standard Lens Implants

These lenses have a single focal point and have minimal side effects. However if distance vision is targeted then near vision glasses are required for near vision tasks. Most UK private health insurers cover the cost of these lenses. These lenses do not correct astigmatism, therefore you will still need glasses for all of your activities if you have significant astigmatism.

 

 

Advanced Premium Lens Implants

These lenses have the advantage of providing you with a wider range of clear vision without glasses than standard lenses. They will significantly reduce your dependency on glasses for most daily activities, including computer work, watching TV and driving. Here are more details about the various different types of premium lenses.

 

 

Advanced Premium Multifocal Lens

Multifocal lenses enhance the range of clear vision (focus) of the eye compared to single focus lenses. They are not the same as bifocal, trifocal or varifocal glasses where looking through differing parts delivers a range of focus.
Most people with multifocal lenses either do not use glasses or have reduced need for glasses. Any change in vision causes the retina and brain to adapt neural connections over a number of months, so vision improves over time.
Some limitations of the multifocal lens include halos around lights at night, which are generally not bothersome for most people but can be for some. If there is a need for extended night driving or best vision in low light than single focus lenses are generally recommended.
For those with large astigmatism, then a combined toric and premium lens may be more suitable. As a generalisation the greater the range of focus the more optical side effects, which is why many ophthalmologists prefer lenses, which do not provide a full range of focus but deliver more than a single focus lens “enhanced depth of focus (EDOF) lens”.
 

 

Enhanced Depth of Focus (EDOF) Lens

The extended depth of focus lenses provide crisp distance vision with excellent intermediate vision with minimal optical side effects. The aim is to provide clear distance vision with the ability to work on a computer and read larger print at arm’s length without glasses. Low power glasses are expected to be needed for reading at near or in dim light.

 

 

Advanced Toric Lens

These lenses correct even a large amount of astigmatism. Astigmatism is a form of vision distortion caused by a misshapen eyeball. An eyeball without astigmatism is a perfect sphere, much like a football. With astigmatism, the eyeball becomes more rugby ball shaped. A toric lens implant aims to optically compensate for this.

 

 

Refractive lens surgery?

Some people choose to have lens surgery before cataract fully develops, often in their 50s, to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses or regain near vision. By combining astigmatism correction with a multifocal lens implant, up to 92% see well at distance, intermediate and near, they may occasionally use glasses or never use glasses. The remaining 8% also see well but they use their glasses more than just occasionally.

 

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