Monofocal Lens Impants
What Are Monofocal Lens Implants?
In the past, your cataract surgeon would decide what type lens to implant following cataract removal. That's because there weren't any options for patients to consider. All lens implants were of a type called a monofocal lens implant. A monofocal lens implant provides excellent vision after cataract surgery, but only at one set distance.
The monofocal lens is usually used for seeing things at a distance and does not correct presbyopia. Presbyopia, which literally means "old eyes", is a normal and expected consequence of the aging process. In addition to becoming cloudy as we age, the lens also begins to lose its flexibility as we enter our 40s. This makes it increasingly difficult for us to change focus in order to see arms length or close objects, as well as reading material. This loss of flexibility is called presbyopia.
A monofocal lens implant will provide you with a crystal clear lens, that results in excellent vision for reading distant signs when driving, seeing a movie or watching a ballgame. However, this type of lens is not able to adjust for the loss of flexibility that causes presbyopia. You will most likely need to wear glasses for any type of near vision activity such as reading, knitting, sewing, playing cards, or keeping your golf score.
A monofocal lens implant will provide you with a crystal clear lens, that results in excellent vision for reading distant signs when driving, seeing a movie or watching a ballgame. However, this type of lens is not able to adjust for the loss of flexibility that causes presbyopia. You will most likely need to wear glasses for any type of near vision activity such as reading, knitting, sewing, playing cards, or keeping your golf score.
In general, patients who choose to have monofocal lens implants will be dependent on glasses either some or most of the time in about 70 percent of cases. Alternatively, if you wish to minimize your need for glasses, you may consider a monovision option, in which two different monofocal lenses are used to provide distance correction in one eye and reading correction in the other eye.
