I Can See Clearly Now: What Are Cataract Lenses and How Do They Work?

Aging can seem like a giant trick is being played on your body; not only does your skin start to age, but so does the rest of your body— including your vision. As one of the most common types of vision problems caused by age, cataracts can cause your vision to become extremely cloudy and if left untreated, can even result in blindness. Luckily, with cataract surgery at Keamy Eye and Laser Centre, we can get rid of your cataracts and restore your vision so that you can see clearly.

Once we remove cataracts from your eye, we will then implant an intraocular lens or a cataract lens. So, what is an IOL and how do they work? Let’s delve a little deeper.

What Is an IOL?

An intraocular lens is an artificial lens that is used to replace your natural lens after your cataract has been removed during surgery. There are several different types of IOLs but today we are only going to go over the two most common types: monofocal and multifocal.

Monofocal IOLs

Monofocal intraocular lenses are the most common type of lens used in cataract surgery; this type of lens helps patients see close up, at a medium range, or at a distance. Then patients typically wear reading glasses as well.

Multifocal IOLs

This type of intraocular lens helps patients see both up close and far away at the same time without them having to wear reading glasses. Plus, they are designed so that your brain chooses the right focus automatically as it adjusts to your lenses.

What Is An IOL Made From?

As a thin, flexible lens, IOLs are typically either made of silicone or acrylic. During your initial consultation, we will go over both of these options to help you determine which one is best for you.

If you have to undergo cataract surgery, we will discuss your surgery and these lenses in detail with you during your initial consultation appointment. To learn more about cataract surgery, schedule your appointment at our Westborough office today and call 508-836-USEE.