Maple Eye and Laser Center
Benefits of Premium Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

The Benefits of Premium Intraocular Lenses

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When cataract surgery was first introduced, patients had few options regarding lens replacement. Only certain vision problems could be reduced or corrected, leading to unpredictable results and the continued need for glasses. Now, a variety of intraocular lenses (IOLs) are available to treat a combination of vision problems, making cataracts truly a problem of the past. Of the IOLs available, the most effective choice for many patients is a premium lens, which corrects multiple types of vision loss that may be otherwise untreatable. If you have been told that you suffer from cataracts and have significant or complex vision problems such as presbyopia or astigmatism, a premium IOL may be able to help you. Contact our White Plains eye care center for more information.

Regular vs. Premium IOLs

Traditional IOLs utilize a monofocal approach, meaning they can provide good vision at only one focal point - namely, distance vision. For this reason, patients with standard cataracts can see well at a distance, but may still need reading glasses when examining anything up close. When presbyopia is present, this vision loss will likely continue to worsen with age. Furthermore, these IOLs are not very effective at treating any significant degree of astigmatism, which can impact vision at any focal point.

With a premium IOL, patients can expect multifocal lenses that are also able to address instances of presbyopia and astigmatism. As a result, patients are able to see clearly across all focal points and distances, often eliminating the need for glasses altogether. This can make a huge difference in patient satisfaction and quality of life, giving patients the ability to dramatically restore their clarity of vision.

Individualized Vision Correction

We understand that everyone’s vision is slightly different. In addition to correcting any type of vision loss with a single treatment, we also want to make vision correction as effective as possible. This means carefully choosing an IOL that complements your vision needs and lifestyle. The following premium IOLs can each offer excellent results for the right candidate:
  • AcrySof® ReStor® +2.5: Although this lens can also address other ranges of vision, it is most beneficial for patients who require distance vision correction, either because this is mostly where vision loss has occurred or because it is most important to their daily lives.
  • AcrySof® ReStor® Toric +2.5: A toric lens offers similar benefits to the above IOL, but also addresses cases of significant astigmatism.
  • AcrySof® ReStor® +3: This IOL offers vision correction over a broad range of distances, from driving and watching TV to reading up close.
  • AcrySof® ReStor® Toric +3: Similar to the above IOL, this toric lens offers multifocal vision correction in patients with astigmatism.
Compared to a standard single-piece IOL, the benefits of a premium IOL are clear. As per an AcrySof® patient survey, roughly 95 percent of patients said they no longer needed glasses at all after cataract surgery with premium IOL lenses. Compare this with less than half of single-piece IOL patients who said the same, with over 40 percent of them claiming to still need glasses all or most of the time. If you’re undergoing vision correction surgery, you should seek the option that actually eliminates the need for corrective lenses.

Additional Benefits of Toric Lenses

Due to the prevalence of astigmatism in patients, toric lenses offer an oft needed form of vision correction. The benefits of using AcrySof® toric lenses from our eye care center include:
  • Independence from glasses: Even with another multifocal IOL, glasses may be needed if astigmatism is not properly corrected. Our toric lenses address this problem effectively and permanently.
  • Stability: Some lenses rotate after they are initially installed, giving diminishing returns of effectiveness in the weeks or months after treatment. On average, our lenses rotate less than four percent after six months.
  • Range of treatment: Toric lenses aren’t just for cases of extreme astigmatism; a variety of options are available for all levels of astigmatism.
  • Sharpness of vision: Some IOLs may decrease contrast sensitivity or visual acuity in challenging environments such as dimly lit areas. Our IOLs have a much higher success rate of maintaining your sharpness of vision.

Schedule a Consultation

Enjoy your life with a clear perspective once more. Contact our office to set up an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists and learn which IOL, or alternative treatment option, is best suited to your needs.