After the removal of the cloudy lens, the next step of cataract surgery is to restore the patient’s vision. For those who do not want to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, multifocal IOLs are the next best choice. In the past, cataract surgery was aimed at restoring a patient’s vision for basic tasks. If someone who’d had the surgery needed to read or perform tasks that require them to see up close, they would have to wear bifocals. Nowadays, cataract patients can choose multifocal IOLs to correct their vision to see up close, far away and all the distances in between.
Before you decide on getting multifocal IOL implants, you will need to think whether you are a good candidate for them. For instance, you should be prepared to accept some lacking in the clarity of your distance vision in order to clearly see up close. If your job requires you to have excellent vision at low light situations, or to have excellent long-range vision, then it may not be a good idea for you to invest in multifocal IOL implants. In this case, you will be better equipped with a standard monofocal IOLs designed for clear distance vision. You will need to discuss the issue thoroughly with your surgeon before you settle on a type of IOL after your cataract surgery.
If you have pre-existing visual problems in one or both eyes, you would be better off with a monofocal IOL. For instance, conditions such as macular degeneration would benefit from a monofocal IOL as opposed to a multifocal IOL.
Your cataract surgeon or eye doctor will first evaluate your eyes to determine their level of health and then determine whether you have any eye conditions in addition to cataracts. As they may affect the choice of IOL, it is very important to be honest about all of your vision ailments to ensure a proper diagnosis.
Combining two different types of multifocal IOLs is also an option in some cases. Depending on the patient’s eye health and lifestyle or occupation requirements, the cataract surgeon will be able to create the right combination. This is a good way to manage not only your vision problems but also the cost of IOLs.