Cataract Lens Implants
for Astigmatism &
Range of Vision

An Aspheric Lens Implant is a type of lens implant that is specifically designed to reduce the visual disturbances caused by the optical aberrations found in ordinary lens implants. This reduces the tendency to see “glare” that you might experience with basic lens implants and thus can offer improved sharpness and contrast, helping patients in certain difficult lighting conditions. Aspheric Lens Implants only correct distance or far vision, such as that required for driving. Aspheric Lens Implants do not usually correct intermediate or arms’ length vision, such as that required for viewing computer screens, and do not correct near vision as required for reading. Patients who wish to have the best quality of distance vision may wish to consider an Aspheric Lens Implant, but need to remember that it will still be necessary to wear reading glasses or bifocals to correct their intermediate and near vision.

Astigmatism Correcting Toric Lens Implants (IOL) are a type of lens implant that can correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is an optical aberration that is caused by the Cornea being shaped more like a football, than spherical like a basketball. For cataract patients who have astigmatism and who do not wish to wear eyeglasses to see clearly at a distance, choosing an astigmatism correcting Toric Lens Implant may help them to be independent of glasses for tasks such as driving that require clear distance vision. Toric Lens Implants do not usually correct Presbyopia, and thus even with Toric Lens Implants to correct astigmatism after cataract surgery, most patients still require reading glasses or bifocals to be able to comfortably perform near vision tasks such as reading and intermediate vision tasks such as computer work. For all monofocal or toric IOLs, it is sometimes possible to induce mini monovision to help reduce reliance on postoperative glasses by making one eye a little near sighted making it easier to read and see objects in the intermediate range of vision.  Many of these patients will only need glasses just to see very fine print or for night driving, being glass independent the rest of the time.

Presbyopia Correcting Lens Implants can provide a full range of vision correction after cataract surgery-far or distance vision, arms’ length or intermediate vision and up close near vision. Depending on your specific vision requirements we might suggest implanting AcrySof® IQ PanOptix™ Trifocal Lens Implant, the TECNIS Symfony Lens Implant (IOL) or the AcrySof™ IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision Intraocular Lens. The specialized optical design of the these lens implant work in a 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, bifocals or reading glasses.

As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks as well as benefits. During your eye examination and cataract consultation, we will perform a thorough cataract evaluation including the necessary testing and then arrange the scheduling of your cataract surgery. In addition, we will 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 The Eye Care & Surgery Center for your examination it will be helpful if you begin thinking about what those activities are so that you can discuss them and explore them with our staff.

If you decide to have an astigmatism correcting Toric Lens Implant or a Presbyopia Correcting Lens Implant, our staff will make sure to review your questions and fully explain any additional fees related to the Lens Implant for which you might be responsible. Medicare and most insurance plans cover the surgical facility fee for cataract surgery and the surgical fee for cataract surgery-but not the cost of additional testing and the actual advanced technology lens implants. In most cases, Medicare or the insurance provider asks The Eye Care & Surgery Center to bill you for the additional cost of the necessary testing, the lens itself 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 this lens is your best choice.