Today, patients have many options when it comes to cataract surgery lenses. Cataract surgery involves the removal of the eye’s natural lens and the implant of a new artificial lens. In the past, there were only standard IOL’s (intra ocular lens), which allowed for vision at only one distance. This meant that in the past cataract patients would need glasses after cataract surgery to be able to see at all distances.

Premium Lens

A premium lens is a new option for cataract patients. Premium IOL’s are not covered by insurance or Medicare, which means that cataract patient’s who choose a premium lens will need to pay out of pocket for the full cost of the cataract lens (and often the surgeon’s fee as well). Often the lens price alone is around a thousand dollars a lens. Your cataract surgeon will discuss the full price of your specific lens at the time of consultation as well as their fee for implanting the specific lens.

Types of Premium Lenses

There are many types of premium lenses, each for specific types of cataract patients. One of the most important factors when choosing a lens for a cataract patient is understanding and managing patient expectations. In the next few years there is expected to be an explosion of new lenses and lens makers leaving cataract surgeons and their patients with many lens options. Among the types of new lenses are Multi-Focal Lenses, Accommodating Lenses and Dual-Optic Accommodating Lenses. Each type of premium lens has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as its own costs.

Multi-Focal Lens

Multi-Focal Lenses are lenses that have multiple viewing areas that allow the cataract patient to view at multiple distances. Much like bi-focal glasses, these lenses have different regions set to refract differently. Sometimes these lenses are even intentionally different in each eye to allow for specific types of intermediate vision. This is where a good understanding of the patients desired outcome becomes critical. Only if the surgeon understands the patient’s goals will they be able to choose the best premium lens or premium lens combination.

Accommodating Lens

An Accommodating Lens is a lens that is made to move, adjust or otherwise alter itself to allow for viewing at all distances. Unlike Multi-Focal Lenses, an Accommodating Lens is much more like the natural lens that was removed during cataract surgery. The natural lens has muscles that pull on the lens, altering its shape, which allows the eye to focus. An Accommodating Lens aims to have this same functionality. Over the next few years there are expected to be many different Accommodating Lens designs. Each will use slightly different methods to achieve accommodation. Accommodating Lenses, like Multi-Focal Lenses are not covered by insurance or Medicare.

Dual-Optic Accommodating Lens

A Dual-Optic Lens is a premium lens that has two optics. This means that it has two different lens pieces that adjust with the natural movements of the eye. Much like a combination of an Accommodating Lens and a Multi-Focal lens, this type of lens seeks to allow for vision at all distances. Currently there are many designs for dual-optic lenses. Over the upcoming years there are expected to be even more.

Only time will tell as to which type of premium lens will prove best (if any) but the future does look bright for cataract patients. With the ever growing number of premium lenses, cataract surgeons and their patients will have many options to improve their vision and quality of life.