Traditional and new intraocular lenses
Artificial intraocular lenses (IOL) was firstly approved by FDA in 1981, before which patients had to wear thick plastic eyeglasses or particular metal glasses in order to offset the focus distortion brought by cataracts removal. But now, most surgeons are concerning about the surgical technique and lenses design of the various IOLs, such as premium IOL, toric IOL and so on. Both the patients and doctors are more careful about the functions of different types IOLs.
Monofocal IOLs can offer vision at only one distance, which are competent for cataract patients with blurred vision at a single distance. However, if the patient after a cataract surgery can not see objects clearly at both distance and middle distance, monofocal IOLs are not the proper choice. IOLs that provide more than one vision are needed, which are called multifocal IOLs. Those brands include Crystalens, Tecnis and Rezoom. Another form of premium IOLs is presbyopia-correcting IOLs, which also require an associated extra surgery cost.
In fact, toric IOLs that are designed to correct astigmatism will also be charged with an extra fee, since they provide special effects. There are two types of toric IOLs that are approved by the FDA, namely Staar Surgical IOL and AcrySof IQ Toric IOL. While the first type can correct up to 3.5 diopters of astigmatism, the latter type are capable of correcting astigmatism between 1.5 and 3.0. These toric IOLs can even be applied to lenticular astigmatism, although the procedure is more complex and the risk is higher. Currently, most of the cataract surgeries involve making incisions in the cornea.
Similar with contact lenses, IOLs can also take use of the technology of monovision, creating monovision with IOLs. Monovision with mens reading glasses are designed to correct presbyopia, which is the same target of monovision with IOLs. If the patients have presbyopia in both eyes, the cataract surgery may implant an IOL for near vision in one eye and another IOL for distance vision in the other eye. Once accustomed to them, patients can get both good distance vision and satisfying near vision.
Younger cataract surgery receivers can benefit more from the new type of aspheric IOLs, which have flatter periphery and provide better contrast sensitivity. In addition, the Akreos AO Aspheric IOL can reduce visual aberrations, and the Tecnis Z9000 is adjustable in a variety of light conditions. Nevertheless, aspheric IOLs may be ineffective for old people. Contrast sensitivity is determined by the retina’s ganglion cells, which disappear with aging.
Since UV lights are suspected to cause cataracts, IOLs that are capable of blocking them out are helpful. AcrySof Natural is one of this type which uses a transparent yellow tint to filter out both UV and blue lights. These artificial IOLs just perform in the way as your natural lens.
A piggyback lens means the lens that is covered over a first lens, which is needed if the first artificial lens can not provide satisfying vision for the patient. And for people with severe myopia or astigmatism, a combination of two IOLs will be implanted within a single time, in order to provide enough vision correction.
There are many factors about IOLs that worth your careful consideration. Experienced surgeons are more confident to deal with all situations aroused in the procedure. Even cataract removal and IOL implantation have high rates of success, patients should be aware about the IOLs type, incision size and potential risks.
Most of the traditional IOLs have been covered by Medicare and some insurance plans. Since people are increasingly willing to accept new IOLs, some insurance companies will cover them for sure.
Article Source:http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases/traditional-and-new-intraocular-lenses.html
Monofocal IOLs can offer vision at only one distance, which are competent for cataract patients with blurred vision at a single distance. However, if the patient after a cataract surgery can not see objects clearly at both distance and middle distance, monofocal IOLs are not the proper choice. IOLs that provide more than one vision are needed, which are called multifocal IOLs. Those brands include Crystalens, Tecnis and Rezoom. Another form of premium IOLs is presbyopia-correcting IOLs, which also require an associated extra surgery cost.
In fact, toric IOLs that are designed to correct astigmatism will also be charged with an extra fee, since they provide special effects. There are two types of toric IOLs that are approved by the FDA, namely Staar Surgical IOL and AcrySof IQ Toric IOL. While the first type can correct up to 3.5 diopters of astigmatism, the latter type are capable of correcting astigmatism between 1.5 and 3.0. These toric IOLs can even be applied to lenticular astigmatism, although the procedure is more complex and the risk is higher. Currently, most of the cataract surgeries involve making incisions in the cornea.
Similar with contact lenses, IOLs can also take use of the technology of monovision, creating monovision with IOLs. Monovision with mens reading glasses are designed to correct presbyopia, which is the same target of monovision with IOLs. If the patients have presbyopia in both eyes, the cataract surgery may implant an IOL for near vision in one eye and another IOL for distance vision in the other eye. Once accustomed to them, patients can get both good distance vision and satisfying near vision.
Younger cataract surgery receivers can benefit more from the new type of aspheric IOLs, which have flatter periphery and provide better contrast sensitivity. In addition, the Akreos AO Aspheric IOL can reduce visual aberrations, and the Tecnis Z9000 is adjustable in a variety of light conditions. Nevertheless, aspheric IOLs may be ineffective for old people. Contrast sensitivity is determined by the retina’s ganglion cells, which disappear with aging.
Since UV lights are suspected to cause cataracts, IOLs that are capable of blocking them out are helpful. AcrySof Natural is one of this type which uses a transparent yellow tint to filter out both UV and blue lights. These artificial IOLs just perform in the way as your natural lens.
A piggyback lens means the lens that is covered over a first lens, which is needed if the first artificial lens can not provide satisfying vision for the patient. And for people with severe myopia or astigmatism, a combination of two IOLs will be implanted within a single time, in order to provide enough vision correction.
There are many factors about IOLs that worth your careful consideration. Experienced surgeons are more confident to deal with all situations aroused in the procedure. Even cataract removal and IOL implantation have high rates of success, patients should be aware about the IOLs type, incision size and potential risks.
Most of the traditional IOLs have been covered by Medicare and some insurance plans. Since people are increasingly willing to accept new IOLs, some insurance companies will cover them for sure.
Article Source:http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases/traditional-and-new-intraocular-lenses.html