Restore Crystal Clear Vision
Intraocular lenses, also known as IOLs, play two main roles in improving eyesight - completely replacing the eye's naturally clear lens that becomes clouded due to cataracts, or laying over the natural lens to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness. The highly trained and experienced specialists at Sheth-Horsley Eye Center, Drs. Nilesh M. Sheth and Robert Kupsc, fit patients with a range of implants to best address their unique optical needs.
If you would like to learn more about whether you are a good candidate for implants or schedule an examination, contact our practice today using our online form.
Toric IOL
Used to correct astigmatism, toric IOLs are a type of "premium" lens. By effectively reshaping the natural irregularity in the shape of the eye's lens that is caused by astigmatism, toric IOLs may be used as an alternative to limbal relaxing incisions, which involve making small cuts in the cornea. AcrySof IQ Toric IOL and Staar Surgical Intraocular Lens are two types of available lenses. UV and blue light can be filtered by using different models of this type of IOL to protect eyes against future damage.
Monofocal IOL
The most basic type of IOL, monofocal IOLs, are only able to correct vision at one distance - either close up, intermediate or far away. Since wearers may still suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness, supplemental visual aids like contact lenses or glasses may be prescribed. Advantages are made possible through the use of different materials and technologies. For example, aspheric IOLs are slightly flatter than traditional IOLs, allowing for better contrast sensitivity and the Visian ICL is foldable, allowing for a smaller incision during surgery.
Multifocal IOL
Unlike monofocal IOLs, multifocal IOLs allow for vision correction at a range of distances - near, intermediate and far - without the aid of glasses or contacts. ReSTOR® and TECNIS® are two types of popular multifocal IOLs currently available on the market. Patients that have chosen multifocal IOLs during cataract correction have reported an extremely high rate of satisfaction in lifestyle benefits. Since these lenses are considered "premium," they may not be covered by most health care plans.
Accommodative IOL
Similar to multifocal IOLs, accommodative IOLs are "premium" lenses designed to correct vision at a range of distances, effectively treating nearsightedness and farsightedness without the need for contact lenses or glasses. Accommodative IOLs work by actually shifting position in tandem with the movement of the eye muscles, in turn, sharpening vision both close up, at intermediate distances, and far away. Only two FDA-approved accommodative IOLs are currently available for American patients: Bausch and Lomb's Crystalens and Trulign Toric.
Phakic IOL
If you have grown tired of contact lenses or glasses, but are not ready to consider refractive surgery or have been deemed an unfit candidate, you may be interested in learning more about phakic IOLs. Effectively correcting moderate to severe nearsightedness, phakic IOLs consist of a tiny clear lens implanted behind the iris or between the iris and the cornea. The eye's natural lens is left in place, but the implant sharpens vision by altering the curvature of the cornea. Though it is not common, phakic IOLs may be surgically removed. Visan ICL and Verisyse are the only FDA-approved phakic IOLs currently available.
