Cataracts happen when proteins in the natural eye lens break apart and clump together, forming a cloudy appearance that grows denser over time. Cataract surgery removes the cataract and replaces the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. These IOLs can correct one or more refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia. The right IOL for you depends on your lifestyle. Dr. George Khouri at Palm Beach Eye will match you with the IOL that fits your unique needs.
What Is a Lifestyle Lens?
The traditional IOL is a monofocal implant that adjusts for distant or near vision. Lifestyle lenses go beyond these corrections and provide better vision for multiple focal points. Multifocal and accommodative lenses offer more vision correction, so you won’t have to rely on prescription glasses after cataract surgery. These lifestyle lenses also come in toric versions to correct astigmatism, and special lenses address age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia).
Dr. Khouri evaluates your vision for higher-order aberrations, such as glare and halos around lights or poor night vision. He uses wavefront aberrometry and corneal topography to measure these vision problems. These diagnostic tests help determine which type of lens implants are best for you and come down to the state of your eye health and optical visual system.
Our board-certified ophthalmologist will discuss your IOL options; the best one for you comes down to your lifestyle.
Do You Spend Most of Your Day Looking at Digital Devices?
People with blurry near vision (farsightedness) who spend most of their day looking at a computer or other screens will want a lifestyle IOL that corrects for farsightedness. While you may choose a traditional monofocal IOL adjusted for near vision, you’ll likely still need glasses for distant tasks and images, such as driving or watching TV. Monovision with monofocal lenses (one set for distance and the other for near vision) is another option. Still, multifocal and accommodative lenses can adjust for all focal points, eliminating or greatly reducing your need for corrective eyewear.
Do You Drive Often at Night?
If your job or lifestyle involves a lot of nighttime driving, you’ll want a multifocal or accommodative lens to enhance your night vision. Though these lenses may have side effects, such as glare and halos around lights, they offer better eyesight in low-light conditions. Their functional range helps you do what you love with better visual acuity and without corrective eyewear while also allowing for reading and computer work.
What Are Your Hobbies?
An avid golfer or tennis player has different visual needs than someone who likes reading or creating jewelry in their downtime. Hobbies make you happy, and you can enjoy these activities more when you don’t have to wear prescription eyeglasses, readers, or contact lenses. People who want independence from corrective eyewear can enjoy greater range of vision with multifocal lenses.
Schedule your consultation at Palm Beach Eye Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss cataract surgery and your IOL options. Contact Dr. Khouri and our office staff at (561) 366-8300 or request an appointment online.
