Aspheric or Monofocal Lens Implants?

Question: I will be going in to have my eye evaluated for cataract surgery. I will have to choose a lens implant. I would like to be fitted with a monofocal lens implant and then use eyeglasses with progressive lenses. Would using aspheric lens implants be more beneficial than regular monofocal lens implants?

Answer: An aspheric lens implant is actually a monofocal lens implant in that it has only one focal length and thus in general only corrects distance vision. A monofocal lens implant is a somewhat old design in that it simply doesn’t give the best vision-especially in terms of dim illumination. Thus, today, if patients have cataract surgery and wish to wear any type of near vision eyeglasses, the best vision is achieved with aspheric lens implants. There are a few instances where the aberrations of your eyes might make an aspheric lens implant and inappropriate choice but this is somewhat unusual and when you have your cataract surgery evaluation your cataract surgeon will certainly evaluate you and recommend the best choice.

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.

Cataract Not Ripe for Surgery

Question: My 65 year old mother has a cataract on her left eye. According to the eye doctor they won’t remove it because of her extreme dry eye, as well as the cataract isn't ripe enough for surgery. What exactly does that mean, and should we get a second opinion?

Answer: First, the notion that the cataract is not ripe enough to be removed with cataract surgery is just nonsense. If and when the cataract interferes with vision, mobility, safety and general daily living activities-then it is time to ask a cataract surgeon to evaluate her for cataract surgery and lens implants. Being “ripe” is a 20 year old concept and has no relevance if there is glare sensitivity or any vision comprise as noted above. Even with a dry eye, there are many treatments that are appropriate to effect a more stable healthy tear film including artificial tear eye drops, tiny punctal plugs to help retain tears, dietary supplements, prescription eye drops to help you make more tears and even other prescription drops and laser treatments to treat underlying causes of dry eye. Bottom line-get another doctor who is a top cataract surgeon in your area.

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.