<p>As per the cataract treatment, patients need to choose the type of lens that will be implanted in the eye during cataract surgery. Lens replacement surgery is the only treatment option if you have developed <a href="../../blog/signs-that-you-might-suffering-from-cataract" target="_blank">cataract symptoms</a>. The patients, therefore, have the option to choose from different types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) to help improve their vision after a cataract operation.</p>
<p>Cataract patients can choose to have a monofocal lens or multifocal lens (IOLs), or a combination of both (one for each eye) depending on their individual needs. Below, we have enlisted a few factors to consider when choosing an Intraocular lens for cataract treatment:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: undefined;">
<li>Find out the type of vision that needs to be corrected. This means if you want your near-distance vision to improve or your far-distance vision to improve. This also depends on your daily requirements or the type of profession you have.</li>
<li>Are you comfortable wearing glasses? It is another factor to consider, as the implantation of a monofocal cataract lens would need you to wear glasses after the cataract operation. Mostly the doctor will correct your distant vision and you will have to wear eyeglasses for near vision.</li>
<li>Get to know about the different types of lenses and their pros and cons.</li>
<li>Cost of different types of lenses.</li>
</ol>
<p>You should consult with your eye surgeon or specialist about the most suitable choice for you. Now, let us understand the Multifocal and Monofocal lenses in detail, along with their pros and cons.</p>
<h2>Monofocal Lens v/s Multifocal Lens</h2>
<h3>Monofocal Lens</h3>
<p>As the name suggests, this lens will allow you to focus on a single distance, i.e. near or far. They are usually used to correct distant vision. However, they can be customised to focus on one particular distance. So if you get your distance vision corrected with a monofocal lens, you would still need glasses for reading. Or, if you get them customised for focusing on closer distances, you will need glasses to look clearly at a distance.</p>
<h4>Pros of Monofocal lens:</h4>
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<li>They allow up to 18% more light than multifocal lenses.</li>
<li>Patients with astigmatism can improve their vision with the help of a monofocal toric lens.</li>
<li>These are less expensive than multifocal lenses.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Cons of Monofocal lenses:</h4>
<ol style="list-style-type: undefined;">
<li>It can only correct one range of distance.</li>
<li>Patients may still need to wear glasses.</li>
<li>If patients with astigmatism go for a standard monofocal lens and not a toric monofocal lens, they might have slightly blurred vision.</li>
</ol>
<p>People who choose to go for monofocal lenses can also opt for monovision treatment. In this technique, patients will be given two different types of monofocal lenses in each eye. This would allow them to see clearly at both near and far distances. However, it would take some time to adapt to this type of lens setting, having different visual clarity in both eyes.</p>
<h3>Multifocal Lens</h3>
<p>Recent advancements in multifocal technology have allowed cataract patients to go for multifocal lenses during cataract surgery. Multifocal lenses have several different optical powers at different points throughout the lens and hence help the patients to see clearly at all distances.</p>
<h4>Pros of Multifocal lens:</h4>
<ol style="list-style-type: undefined;">
<li>You can clearly see both near and far distant objects clearly with multifocal lenses.</li>
<li>It reduces the chances of wearing spectacles.</li>
<li>Modern and Convenient option.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Cons of Multifocal lenses:</h4>
<ol style="list-style-type: undefined;">
<li>A small percentage of patients experience a halo or ring after dark, which usually gets corrected after a few weeks.</li>
<li>These lenses allow less amount of light than monofocal lenses. So patients with multifocal lenses implanted must avoid doing focused tasks like reading in low light.</li>
<li>They cost more than monofocal lenses.</li>
</ol>
<p>Intraocular Lenses (IOL) are permanent and can help save you from wearing glasses. However, getting a particular type of lens should be an informed decision made after consulting the ophthalmologist. Therefore, before going through a cataract treatment, all the choices and their risk and benefits for each individual must be discussed and considered.</p>
<h2><br />Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Cataract lenses (IOL):</h2>
<h3>1. How to know which type of lens is suitable for me?</h3>
<p>The right choice of lens for a cataract operation depends on how you want to improve your lifestyle and vision after the cataract surgery. It is advised that patients discuss their choice and possible risk and benefits with their doctor or eye surgeon before making a decision. For example, a Toric lens may be suitable for patients with astigmatism, a monofocal lens may be suitable for people who don't mind wearing glasses for other activities, and a multifocal lens may be suitable for people who do not want to wear glasses and need their vision improved at all distances.</p>
<h3>2. How close can you see with a monofocal lens?</h3>
<p>Studies have shown that, in general, monofocal lenses can improve vision from 1m distance and farther. However, closer than 0.8 metres, the clarity decreases.</p>
<h3>3. Will I lose my close-distance vision after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>This will depend on the type of lenses implanted during your cataract surgery. With the correct type of lens, you will be able to see clearly in general. Some patients may need reading glasses or to see up close, if they have a Monofocal lens implanted that corrects the distance vision only.</p>
<h3>4. Is there any disadvantage of getting monovision?</h3>
<p>Monovision surgery is when patients use different lenses (one for far and one for near vision) for their eye surgery. It takes time and patience to get adjusted to monovision surgery. Some patients may also find that their depth perception gets affected with monovision.</p>
<h3>5. How long does it take to adjust to monovision after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Depending on the type of lens implanted, patients may take a few weeks or more to adjust to monovision. As monovision requires different monofocal lenses in each eye, patients may take longer to adjust to this new type of vision.</p>
<h3>6. What are multifocal lenses used for?</h3>
<p>Individuals who have more than one vision problem, i.e., issues with near and distant vision, may choose multifocal lenses. These lenses have multiple refractive rings to correct both near and distant vision issues. Multifocal lenses reduces chances of wearing eyeglasses after the cataract operation.</p>
<h3>7. Which lens is better: Monofocal or Multifocal?</h3>
<p>This entirely depends on each individual&rsquo;s current condition. Different patients may have different vision issues. They may also have different preferences when it comes to wearing glasses. Therefore, the correct choice of the lens can be varied among patients.</p>
<h3>8. When will I need to change my multifocal lens?</h3>
<p>Intraocular lenses (IOL) do not need to be replaced. They are permanent and last a lifetime.</p>
<h3>9. Will I still need to wear glasses if I get a monofocal lens?</h3>
<p>Generally, a Monofocal lens implanted during a cataract surgery provides a clear vision at a particular distance, i.e., near or distance. Patients may need glasses for reading and even to get more clarity at all distances depending on eye conditions. Doctors mostly corrects distant vision using a Monofocal lens and prescribes eyeglasses for near vision after the surgery.</p>
<h3>10. Will I be able to get the multifocal lens removed if I face some problems with it?</h3>
<p>Intraocular lenses are permanent with the highest success rates. However, if patients are unable to get adjusted to the lens or the lens gets dislocated, it can be removed or replaced with follow-up surgery.</p>
<h3>11. Can I have a different lens in each eye for cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Yes! You can have two different types of lenses in each eye. This is possible by consulting the doctor and telling them your preference of lens for each eye.</p>
<h3>12. Can you have a multifocal lens in one eye and a monofocal in the other?</h3>
<p>Yes! Nowadays many patients choose a multifocal lens for one eye and a monofocal for their other eye in cataract surgery to improve their vision for all distances.</p>
<h3>13. How long does it take for eyes to adjust to multifocal lenses after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Normally the eyes will take around 2-3 weeks to adjust. However, the range is from a few days to a month.</p>
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