Questions about Intraocular Lenses
Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland
What are intraocular lenses?
For those with declining eyesight, intraocular lenses (IOLs) have helped resolve many vision problems. When cataracts form in the eyes and impair vision, doctors can implant tiny IOL lenses that replace the focusing power of the eye’s natural lens during cataract surgery.
Are intraocular lenses safe?
Cataract surgery has become a simple procedure with excellent success in IOL use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved IOLs in 1981, and now IOLs come in two forms: foldable and hard lenses. Foldable IOLs, made of silicone or acrylic, are unrolled once inserted in the eye. Special circumstances might also require the use of a hard IOL. Slightly larger incisions are needed to place this type of lens, since it can not be rolled or folded.
Are their many different types of IOL choices?
After determining whether you need a foldable or hard IOL, your ophthalmologist will help you choose between:
- Multifocal Lenses - offering variable distance viewing with greater possibility that glasses or contacts will not be needed. ReZoom™ and ReStor® provide clear vision at all distances and offer greater freedom from eyewear than traditional monofocal IOLs.
- Toric IOLs – reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and greatly improves distance vision without the need for corrective lenses. The Staar Surgical IOL and the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL will help the blurriness at all distances often caused by an ovoid corneal shape.
- Accommodating IOLs – a revolutionary lens design that after implantation will change focus as the patient views objects at varying distances. The Crystalens® is controlled by the same eye muscles that controlled the natural lens.
- Aspheric IOLs – traditional IOLs are spheric, but this lens is slightly flatter to provide better contrast sensitivity.
- Filtering IOLs – offers blue light and ultraviolet (UV) light filtering that your natural lens had before it was replaced with an IOL.
- Monofocal lenses – an older type of IOL offering vision at only one distance that can be augmented by the use of glasses or contacts.
What is the difference between IOLs and ICLs?
Implantable contact lenses (ICLs) may sound similar to intraocular lenses, but the difference is in function. An ICL is implanted on the eye’s natural lens, but the IOL takes the place of the eye’s natural lens when it is removed during cataract surgery.
Can I have both eyes done in one surgical procedure?
Typically, ophthalmologists will only treat one eye at a time. An average time between surgeries is usually three weeks, but that may depend upon the individual patient and doctor.
How long will the surgery last and is it painful?
Patients are given anesthetizing eye drops, as well as medication to help with relaxation. The procedure is quick and will only take about 15 minutes, not counting procedure preparation.
If you, or someone you know, is planning to undergo cataract surgery please schedule an appointment with the eye surgeons at Katzen Eye Group, located in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland, who have been providing the highest quality eye care for the past four decades. Our doctors will advise you on the best type of IOL for your eyes.
