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Do I or Don’t I Want To Wear Glasses After Cataract Surgery?

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The natural lens in the eye, where cataracts form, is a strong magnifying lens. Cataract surgery involves removing this natural lens. Without an intraocular lens (IOL) implant you would need to wear very thick magnifying type glasses or a contact lens after surgery. All types of IOLs offer improved vision after surgery. In May of 2005, a Medicare ruling cleared access for seniors to pay an out-of-pocket fee for an upgrade to IOLs that treat cataracts, astigmatism and the loss of reading vision associated with age (presbyopia).


With so many great options to choose from, how do you decide on the right one? It’s easy- simply choose which of the following statements you most agree with!

Your best option is our Standard Program with a single vision IOL. Following cataract surgery, your eye will be naturally focused at distance. You may need glasses to maximize your far vision, and you will definitely need glasses for reading. Surgery will be done with small-incision cataract extraction.

Our Custom Astigmatism program provides good glasses-free vision to include activities such as reading, watching television and driving (depending on whether you choose to be glasses-free for reading or far vision). The cataract will be removed with either traditional small-incision surgery or with FEMTO laser assisted techniques. For patients without significant astigmatism (Low Astigmatism), surgery can be done with a single vision IOL in combination with specially placed corneal incisions or with the FEMTO laser. For larger amounts of astigmatism (High Astigmatism), a special Toric IOL will be used.

Our Custom Multifocal and Monovision Programs will help you see for most far and near activities without the use of glasses. There are 2 options for you, including a multifocal IOL or monovision. Surgery can be done with either small-incision or FEMTO laser-assisted cataract extraction. A multifocal IOL typically gives each eye good far and near vision including driving, watching TV and reading normal print like books, magazines, newspapers, and menus. Patients may experience difficulty in low light conditions. With monovision, one eye can see near and the other eye can see far. The “near” eye will have an optimal vision at one distance only (typically 18 inches) while the “far” eye will have an optimal vision at distance. This option works best if you were successful with monovision contact lenses. Glasses may still be needed for reading very small print like that on a medicine bottle.

Contact us to schedule your evaluation and let our doctors help you decide what type of implant is best for you.

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