Multifocal Lens Implants & Cataract Surgery

Question: If multifocal contacts will not correct my vision will multifocal lens implants IOL's not correct my vision after cataract surgery? Also if I have astigmatism what are the advantages of using a toric lens version monovision lens to correct my vision during cataract surgery?


Answer: There is really minimal relationship between multifocal contact lenses correction and multifocal lens implant correction as their optical location and designs are quite different. You have two separate optical correction challenges-presbyopia which requires a near vision correction and astigmatism. There are currently no toric multifocal lens implants that would correct both presbyopia and astigmatism available in the United States.

However, your Cataract Surgeon could choose to correct the astigmatism with a Limbal Relaxing Incision (LRI) if you were set on having a multifocal lens implant for the near vision presbyopia correction. The other alternative is to use a monovision toric lens implant technique to achieve the concurrent astigmatic and near vision presbyopic correction. If you have astigmatism-especially 3-4 diopters of astigmatism-it ABSOLUTELY must be corrected if you do not wish to wear eyeglasses. For monovision it would be preferred to have a toric lens implant monovision rather than an aspheric lens implant with an LRI as it would provide better overall optical quality and stability.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.