At the beginning, doctors used the monofocal lenses that allow the patients to see either near or far without glasses, but not both. Then came the multifocal lenses, made of concentric rings made up with both the patient's distance and near prescriptions and permit the patients to see both near and far without glasses most of the time.

Then, a couple of years ago, a new type of intraocular lens was approved by the FDA: the accommodating intraocular lens crystalens®, currently in its fourth generation. This IOL uses the ciliary body, the set of muscles that moves the natural crystalline lens back and forth, to allow the lens to focus just like the natural lens used to do when the person was younger.

When choosing the standard lens, a patient may chose to have either the distance vision (and use glasses for near vision), or the near vision (and use glasses for distance). This lens is static and has the patient's prescription, therefore it is able to focus at one distance only.

On the other hand, crystalens® accommodates, meaning that it moves forward to focus for near, and backwards to focus for distance, allowing the patient to see without glasses. Nevertheless, some patients end up needing glasses for something, usually the very small print.

In order to achieve the focusing power of the crystalens, the patient must undergo extensive measurements of the eye that will be used in the calculations of the lens graduation. Also, the patient must abstain of reading for a few days after the surgery, or if necessary, use a pair of temporary reading glasses, so the lens does not heal in a position that will hinder the determined movement.

Later, the Toric lens made an appearance. This lens is approved for those patients with significant astigmatism (+0.75 or more cylinder).

Also, in the last months we have seen the last generation of the Restor® multifocal lens, that can improve vision in a full range of distances, from near to far. This lens has had great results and the majority of patients do not need glasses after the surgery. However, this multifocal lens is not recommended for patients with an unhealthy retina, cornea or any glaucoma problems, as they would not reap the full benefits this lens has to offer.

To find out which intraocular lens is right for you, set up an evaluation with your eye doctor.

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