Modern cataract surgery may involve many types of lenses. Lenses for cataract surgery are called intra-ocular lenses, or IOL’s. An IOL is inserted into the eye after the lens with the cataract has been removed. Cataract surgery is usually a very quick and painless procedure.

The first type of cataract lens to be used was called a monofocal lens. Monofocal lenses are lenses that have a single viewing distance, either near, intermediate or far. Monofocal lenses have been the standard lens used in cataract surgery for many years. Occasionally monofocal lenses have been combined so that a patient can see distance through one eye and near through the other. Monofocal lenses do not allow for vision at all three distances. Glasses are required after cataract surgery with a monofocal lens.

After monofocal lenses the industry began to move on to multifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses are lenses that have multiple zones on the lens that allow for multiple distance viewing. Much like bifocals, these lenses allow patients to see different ranges through different parts of the lens. As with monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses can also be combined to produce a better visual outcome for patients.

After multifocal lenses, the newest generations of cataract lens to hit the market are accommodating IOL’s. Accommodating lenses are lenses that allow for distance, intermediate and near vision, much like multifocal lenses do. Unlike multifocal lenses, accommodating lenses change shape in the eye to allow for optimal viewing. Rather than having separate zones, accommodating lenses attempt to act like the natural eye and bend and move to focus on objects at any distance.

The newest generation of lenses, called premium lenses, all aim to eliminate the need for reading glasses after cataract surgery. There is never a guarantee, but many of the new cataract surgery lenses do live up to the expectations of glasses free outcomes. Always discuss your specific case with a licensed medical provider.