IOL's or Intraocular Lenses

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a lens implanted in the eye, usually replacing the existing crystalline lens because it has been clouded over by a cataract, or as a form of refractive surgery to change the eye's optical power as in monovision. IOL's may be used for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, cataracts and astigmatism.

The Surgical Procedure

Insertion of an intraocular lens is a commonly performed eye surgical procedure. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia with the patient awake throughout the operation which usually takes less than 30 minutes. The recovery period is about 4 - 6 weeks.

The crystalline lens is extracted and the IOL replaces it in a process that is very similar to cataract surgery. Both involve lens replacement, local anesthesia, both last approximately 30 minutes, and both require making a small incision in the eye for lens insertion.

Multifocal IOL's

Traditional IOL's are monofocal, meaning they offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate or near). Traditional IOL's mean that you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to read, use a computer or view objects in the middle distance, especially if you are already experiencing presbyopia.

Multifocal and accommodating IOL's offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance, without glasses or contacts, by improving the reception of light rays in the eye or by working with the muscles of the eye to adjust or accommodate for near, medium or distant vision.

IOL's and Multifocal IOL's can be an option if LASIK is not recommended and can provide good vision without dependence on eyeglasses or contacts.