What is an IOL?
IOL stands for Intraocular Lens. It is an artificial lens that replaces the lens during cataract surgery. When you have cataract surgery, the only way to get rid of the cataract in your lens is to remove the lens itself.
In the past, this left patients without a lens in their eye, meaning they would have to wear very thick glasses to see. With modern technology, not only can the lens be easily replaced, but your vision can be corrected.
Some people opt for refractive lens exchange surgery long before they have cataracts. This is often as an alternative to LASIK or other vision-correcting procedures.
Thanks to advanced IOLs, you can have better vision after cataract surgery. Many patients claim that they have better vision than ever before. This is because of their choice to have an advanced IOL.
What Makes Advanced Technology IOLs Different?
When you have cataract surgery, the “default” option for your IOL is a monofocal IOL. This is a simple lens that has a uniform refractive power over the whole lens.
Often when people get cataract surgery, they replace one eye’s lens with a monofocal IOL. One eye is set to near vision and the other eye is set to far vision.
This is called monovision, and it mostly allows the patient to see as well at moderate distances. But seeing up close in focus can be difficult. Most people with monovision have to use reading glasses for tasks that need close focus.
Advanced Technology IOLs accommodate a range of vision. This is so you can see clearly at different distances.
They can even reduce the need for glasses altogether. There are a variety of options available for these premium lenses. It’s up to you to discuss these options with your doctor to find the lens that works best for you.
What Kinds of Advanced Technology Implants are Available?
There are many kinds of Advanced IOLs. At Huffman & Huffman P.S.C., we offer three that we find cover an array of needs. They also offer the latest and best technology available.
ReSTOR
The AcrySoft IQ ReStor Lens is a multifocal IOL. Multifocal IOLs are made with rings spreading outward from the center of the lens.
Each of these rings alternates in refractive power. This lens trains your brain to look through sections of the lens when you’re looking at objects closely.
It then trains your brain to look through different sections of the lens when looking at a distance. The result is sharp distance vision and sharp near vision.
This eliminates the need for reading glasses. The ReStor is a perfect option for those who enjoy a variety of activities.
If you enjoy golfing, cooking, playing cards, and other activities, ReStor may be for you. The ReStor allows you to take part in all these activities, without ever needing to wear any kind of glasses.
Tecnis Symfony
The Tecnis Symfony IOL is an extended range of vision IOL. This is the latest kind of IOL technology that works by elongating your range of focus.
This works instead of splitting the lens to focus on set focal points. The result is vision with a great depth of field that allows you to see at all distances within that field.
This kind of IOL also can reduce the need for glasses. Many patients with Tecnis Symfony IOL take part in indoor and outdoor activities.
Toric
A toric IOL is made to correct astigmatism. This is the only IOL that’s made for correcting astigmatism.
It works by counter-balancing the asymmetric shape of the eye with different sections. These are then set to different refractive powers.
The toric IOL is like a multifocal lens with custom refractive power and placement made for your eye. This IOL is perfect for you if you want to fix your cataracts and astigmatism at the same time.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is an excellent choice for those looking for an IOL option that allows them to truly customize and personalize their vision after cataract surgery. At Huffman & Huffman, P.S.C., our cataract surgeons are proud to offer the Light Adjustable Lens to patients to provide them with a precise visual outcome.
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens, also known as the LAL, is a revolutionary technology that has completely transformed how cataract surgery is performed. The LAL, created by RxSight, is the world’s first and only FDA-approved intraocular lens, or IOL, that can be adjusted after cataract surgery, allowing you to trial and customize your vision.
The lens is made of a special material that is sensitive to light. The material allows it to be shaped using the light delivery device after you have healed from cataract surgery.
The device is used to fine-tune the lens power after it has been implanted in the eye, ensuring that you achieve the best possible visual outcome. With the LAL, you can achieve optimal visual acuity and reduce your reliance on glasses, allowing you to live a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.
What Happens During Treatment with the Light Delivery Device?
The Light Adjustable Lens treatment process is comfortable and non-invasive, and it is performed in the comfort of our clinic. During cataract surgery with the LAL, your cataract surgeon will implant your new Light Adjustable Lens just as they would any other IOL.
Once the eye has had time to heal, you will return for your LAL treatment with the light delivery device, which typically takes less than ten minutes. During treatment, you will sit comfortably in front of the light delivery device.
The device emits a specific wavelength of light that activates the photosensitive material in the lens, causing it to change shape. After the treatment, you will be able to go home and trial your new vision.
In some cases, patients require more than one treatment to reach their desired visual outcome. If this is the case for you, you will return for another treatment with the light delivery device, and your eye doctor will use the device to adjust the power of the lens until the clarity of your vision is suitable for you.
Once the treatment is complete, your eye doctor will lock in your results, and you will get to enjoy the fantastic results!
What Are the Benefits of Choosing the Light Adjustable Lens?
One of the most significant benefits of the Light Adjustable Lens is the level of customization it provides. Traditional IOLs have a fixed power that cannot be adjusted after they have been implanted.
This means that if your visual acuity is not as expected after cataract surgery, you may need to rely on glasses or contacts to achieve clear vision. With the LAL, however, your cataract surgeon can fine-tune the lens power after it has been implanted.
This process ensures that you achieve the best possible visual outcome.
The LAL can also be beneficial for those with astigmatism, as the LAL can be adjusted to correct this vision problem, as well.
Another significant benefit of the LAL is how safe it is. The LAL has been extensively tested and has been shown to be safe and effective.
You can feel confident that you are receiving a safe and reliable treatment option that is backed by plenty of clinical research. Finally, another amazing benefit of this lens is that it is a long-term solution.
Once the lens has been adjusted and stabilized, it will provide clear vision for many years to come. Thanks to this technology, the LAL can allow you to enjoy a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Are you interested in learning more about the Light Adjustable Lens or determining if it may be right for you? Schedule an appointment at Huffman & Huffman, P.S.C., in Lexington, KY, today!
Looking to discuss your IOL and advanced technology implant options before cataract surgery? Schedule a cataract screening at Huffman & Huffman, P.S.C.
