Why Active Lifestyles Love Multifocal Lenses
September 17, 2024
Do you have cataracts? Are you tired of hazy, cloudy vision getting in the way of doing what you love, like running, hiking, or biking in the early morning?
If you're ready for cataract surgery, your main priority may be achieving clearer vision without the visual impairments due to cataracts. The vision loss from cataracts can get in the way of doing things you love and can even limit daily activities like driving, cooking, and socializing.
However, the good news is that cataract surgery will dramatically improve your vision and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. But it's worth carefully considering what other vision benefits you might want after cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery involves removing your natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens. The intraocular lens ensures you can see clearly while providing additional vision correction.
They can correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Some IOLs correct vision at only one distance, while other premium IOLs can correct vision at multiple distances, like a multifocal IOL. Keep reading to learn more about IOLs and why active lifestyles love multifocal lenses!
How Do IOLs Work?
Cataracts occur when the proteins comprising the eye's natural lens start to form clumps. These clumps on the lens cause cloudy patches or discoloration, affecting your ability to see clearly.
Cataracts prevent light from passing through the lens, which affects vision. Common symptoms of cataracts include blurriness, light sensitivity, colors looking muddy, double vision in only one eye, or blank spots in your field of vision.
The only way to improve your vision and see more clearly is to remove cataracts during cataract surgery. Cataract surgery involves creating a small incision in the eye to remove the natural lens.
After the natural lens where the cataract has formed is removed, it's replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL. IOLs take over the job that the once transparent natural lens can no longer handle and help you see clearly without worrying about cataracts.
But besides eradicating cataracts, IOLs also help improve your vision because they can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Some can even correct presbyopia if you choose a premium lens.
IOLs reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for many people. Before having cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon at Metropolitan Ophthalmology Associates will discuss your different IOL options and recommend what's best for your vision and lifestyle. IOLs available at Metropolitan Ophthalmology include:
Monofocal IOLs
Monofocal lenses only correct vision at one distance because they have a single focus for one distance. You'll still need visual aids like glasses or contact lenses after the procedure.
Many patients who choose a monofocal IOL have it correct their distance vision to help vision while driving or watching television. However, you can also select monovision, which involves putting one monofocal lens in one eye for seeing up close and another monofocal lens in the other for seeing at a distance for better vision.
Toric IOLs
Patients with astigmatism may way to consider toric IOLs. Toric IOLs are the only intraocular lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism. Many premium IOLs also come in toric models to ensure you can still achieve the visual correction you want.
Multifocal IOLs
Multifocal IOLs work similarly to bifocal glasses to correct your vision at multiple distances. They ensure you can see clearly up close, at a distance, and at intermediate distances.
Multifocal lenses may also reduce your dependence on visual aids after cataract surgery. Metropolitan Ophthalmology Associates offers the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal Lens, which provides an extended depth of focus to give you enhanced near and intermediate vision. This can correct presbyopia while improving your ability to see at a distance.
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Why Should You Choose Multifocal IOLs?
Multifocal IOLs are ideal for people who enjoy an active lifestyle and don't want to deal with glasses or contacts. You'll have clear, crisp vision without slipping on reading glasses to check your phone or read a restaurant menu.
If you're tired of buying multiple pairs of reading glasses and losing them between your office, purse, car, living room, and kitchen, multifocal IOLs can help you reduce dependence on these visual aids. You'll finally be able to see clearly without worrying about where you put your reading glasses!
Exercise and travel become more manageable when you don't have to worry about packing glasses, contacts, or their necessary supplies. Feel comfortable playing pickleball or golf without stressing about smudging your glasses or contacts, making your eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
Instead, enjoy clear vision at the beach, whether you're frolicking in the waves or relaxing while reading a new book.
Multifocal IOLs Make Financial Sense
Cataract surgery is necessary if you have cataracts and are experiencing visual impairment. Because of this, insurance covers the procedure and a standard monofocal IOL.
If you choose a multifocal IOL, which is a premium lens, you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for it. However, one of the things that makes multifocal IOLs worth it to patients is the investment in their vision.
If you can finally see clearly and no longer depend on visual aids, consider what your visual freedom is worth! Many patients find the additional cost of premium IOLs more than worth it because they no longer have to deal with the hassles of visual aids like reading glasses.
Buying multiple pairs of readers you'll inevitably lose doesn't make financial sense. Why not consider an option that allows you to break free from frames and lenses and enjoy your active lifestyle without boundaries? Multifocal lenses can give you this and so much more!
Are you ready to make the most of your vision? Take the first step by scheduling your appointment at Metropolitan Ophthalmology Associates in McLean, VA, and Chevy Chase, MD, today! Haven't you waited long enough to get back to your active lifestyle?