Geneva Eye Clinic now offers cataract patients The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL).
It is the first and only lens that can be customized after cataract surgery. Click here to learn more
You can now receive FDA-registered, professional treatment for your dry eye with our NuLids® system.
Click here to learn more.
Geneva Eye Clinic
Phone Phone (630) 232-1282 User Patient Portal Card Bill Pay Calendar Request an Appointment

Cataract Surgery: Replacing Your Natural Lens with IOL Implants

Cataracts often develop as we age—somewhere after the age of 50. In fact, roughly 24.4 million Americans had cataracts in 2010 with the number projected to reach 50.2 million in 2050* due to our aging population. Fortunately, cataract surgery is currently one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures to correct cataracts.

WHAT ARE CATARACTS

Our eyes have natural lenses that refract or bend light rays that enter the eye to help us see. Over time, the eye lens often becomes cloudy, causing vision loss that can’t be corrected with prescriptions or LASIK surgery. Through cataract surgery, the natural eye lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens, or intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL can restore vision lost to cataracts—possibly reduce your need for eyeglasses.

ABOUT IOLs

IOLs come in different focusing powers, just as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses do. Your ophthalmologist will measure the length of your eye and curve of your cornea to determine your IOL’s focusing power.

Most IOLs are made of silicone, acrylic or other plastic compositions and are coated with a special material that will help protect your eyes from UV rays.

TYPES OF IOLs

  • Monofocal IOLs are the most common type of lens used for cataract surgery. It has a single focusing option—up close, medium range or distance vision. Most people chose distance vision and wear eyeglasses for reading up close.
  • On the other hand, Multifocal IOLs, have different focusing powers within the same lens, giving you clear vision for more than the single distance. These lenses have different zones set at different powers.
  • Accommodative IOLs also provide multi-distance viewing. This lens moves or changes shape inside your eye, allowing focusing at different distances.
  • Toric IOLs are ideal for those with astigmatism—when a reflective error is caused by an uneven curve in your cornea or lens. This type of lens will correct the refractive error.

As you plan for your cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will explain these IOL options in detail and help determine which best meets your vision needs and expectations.

For more details on this article or about cataract surgery, visit aao.org.

*according to the National Eye Institute (NEI)