After cataract surgery, you can live a life without the hassles of glasses and contact lenses. If you have been suffering from cataracts or poor vision and cataract surgery is an option, you should be aware of a new technology that can help you reduce dependence on glasses and contacts after cataract surgery.

The patients of Westlake Eye Specialists now have the option to see at far, near and even intermediate distances after cataract surgery. This enables our cataract patients to be able to read the newspaper, play golf, and other activities without the hassles of glasses.

Until recently, cataract patients had few choices for the implants used to restore their vision. With the premium lens procedure, you now have several choices based on your individual visual needs and lifestyle.

In order to prepare for your premium IOL evaluation and consultation process, we suggest you think about the following items and also take our Premium IOL Self-Evaluation Test.

Intaocular Lens

What are Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)?

Intraocular lenses, commonly referred to as IOLs, are implantable lenses used to replace the eye’s natural crystalline lens during cataract surgery. An IOL will assume the function of the natural lens and will be undetectable.

Today, IOLs are available as monofocal lenses (correcting vision for one distance), accommodating lenses (correcting for near, far, and intermediate vision), toric lenses (astigmatism correcting), and multifocal lenses (correcting for near, far, and intermediate vision).

Lifestyle Items to Reflect Upon Prior to Choosing an IOL:

Monofocal IOL

If you are a patient and have cataracts in both eyes, Monofocol Intraocular lenses may provide the best result. A Monofocol IOL is used to provide the patient with a fixed focus for one distance. Our doctors here at Westlake Eye Specialist will work with you to decide what distance would be appropriate for you whether that be near focus, mid-distance focus, or distant focus. With a Monofocol IOL, you are only able to choose one distance and the focus will not change after surgery. Traditional cataract surgery using a Monofocol IOL would give the patient focus for both eyes for distance and the patient would then use reading glasses to see near objects.

Monofocal Vision

The majority of the patients we see here at Westlake Eye Specialists who choose to have Monofocol IOLs in both eyes choose the distance and then use reading glasses to see objects near.

Toric IOL

For Cataract patients who have astigmatism, and who do not wish to wear eyeglasses to see clearly at a distance, choosing a Toric Lens Implant can help them be free of glasses for tasks such as driving, that require clear distance vision. Toric IOL technology uses biocompatible materials that have been successfully used in contact lenses and proven safe for the eye. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is more oval or football-shaped instead of being a perfect sphere. The resulting vision is often blurry and distorted. Mild forms of astigmatism may not need correction, but the stronger the prescription gets, the more patients become dependent on glasses to see. 


Toric Lens Implants do not correct Presbyopia, and therefore even with Toric Lens Implants to correct astigmatism after Cataract Surgery, most patients still require reading glasses or bifocals to be able to comfortably perform near vision tasks such as reading and intermediate vision tasks such as computer work.

Multifocal IOL

A Multifocal Lens Implant is a lens that has a different power in the center of the lens and another power in the border of the lens so that vision can be focused for far or near out of the same eye. These different zones of lens power work together to provide the eye with near and distance vision. The lenses are made of plastic or silicone materials and placed permanently in the eye after removal of the eye’s natural lens. Subsequently, a Multifocal Lens can help correct Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Presbyopia. Our eyes are continuously focusing on objects at different distances. Whether it be watching television, sitting at a computer, or driving, our eyes automatically focus on different things at different distances quite quickly.

Multifocal Vision
As we age, the ability for our eyes to change focus (or accommodate) weakens, which leads to the need for bifocals and reading glasses.
Compare the following images. Image A demonstrates what you might see with a traditional implantable lens. Although distance vision is clear, notice how the phone screen, hand, and near objects are very blurry. Now compare that with Image B with TECNIS Symfony® IOL. TECNIS Symfony® IOL provides high-quality continuous vision at any distance.

TECNIS Symfony® IOL is the first lens of its kind to combine two unique technologies for outstanding visual performance: an Extended Depth of Focus IOL provides a continuous range of high-quality vision from near to far and points in between and may reduce the frequency of wearing glasses.

Full Range Of Continuous Vision With Astigmatism Correction

Astigmatism is a condition; in which both distant and near objects appear blurred. The cornea and lens of the eye are ideally spherical. When one or both are curved more steeply in one meridian than another, the optics take on a toric shape, somewhat like an American football. This uneven curvature prevents light rays from focusing on a single point on the retina, blurring the visual image somewhat like a funhouse mirror. Astigmatism often occurs in combination with myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

The Tecnis Symfony Toric intraocular lens compensates for corneal astigmatism as well as a range of continuous vision including distance and near. It has two meridians of different power, which can be aligned with the steep and flat meridians of the cornea. While no guarantee can be made as to the final result, there is a better chance you will be able to see clearly in the distance and near without glasses if a Symfony Toric lens is implanted. The Tecnis Toric intraocular lens compensates for corneal astigmatism. This lens does not allow for continuous vision including near but can provide exceptional distance vision. It has two meridians of different power, which can be aligned with the steep and flat meridians of the cornea. While no guarantee can be made as to the final result, there is a better chance you will be able to see clearly in the distance without glasses if a toric lens is implanted.

Standard monofocal lens implants have a single point of focus. When a standard lens is implanted, the patient usually chooses before surgery was to have their eye focused after surgery. Most patients choose distance vision, and they wear reading glasses after surgery.

Some patients choose to be nearsighted; they wear distance glasses after surgery. While no guarantee can be made as to the final result, there is a good chance you will be able to see clearly in the distance without glasses providing you don’t have astigmatism.

AcrySof® IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL

The AcrySof® IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL is the first IOL of its kind to be FDA approved! Unlike other IOLs, the IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL provides clear vision at three vision distances: close, intermediate, and far away!

Before the trifocal IOL, you could only provide clear vision for close and far distances of viewing, with a gap for intermediate distances that was obvious to patients.

Westlake Eye Specialists is one of the first eye care practices in Austin, Texas to offer patients this advanced technology! Like other IOLs, the trifocal lens can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

The trifocal lens is suitable for those with cataracts, as well as those with presbyopia who want to avoid dealing with cataracts before they show symptoms.

Vivity® Intraocular Lens

What is the Vivity lens and how is it different?

The Vivity intraocular lens the latest intraocular lens (or IOL) that uses proprietary, non-diffractive technology called X-Wave. With this X-Wave technology, the user can see with all available light, resulting in an uninterrupted range of vision.

This includes when you’re looking into bright or dim lighting. That means you’ll achieve excellent distance and in-between vision, as well as being able to see well up close. With other IOLs, the light is split into several separate focal points.

Often times, this results in patients seeing visual aberrations like glare, starbursts, and halos around lights, even after cataract surgery. For patients that choose the Vivity lens, they report fewer visual disturbances.

Another advantage of this premium lens is the X-Wave technology even protects your eyes from the sun’s UV rays and damaging blue light from digital devices.

The Vivity lens also comes in a toric lens model for patients with astigmatism as well to ensure that astigmatism is corrected during cataract surgery. To truly know if you’re a good candidate for the Vivity lens, you’ll need to schedule a cataract screening with the eye doctors and ophthalmologist at Westlake Eye Specialists.

This IOL might not be right for you if you have had previous eye infections or have any autoimmune conditions that may make it more difficult to recover after cataract surgery. Talk to your eye doctor if you’re concerned.

The Vivity lens is best suited for those that are looking to improve their intermediate and near range of vision. This includes activities like working on a computer and putting on makeup for intermediate vision. For near vision, this is anything that’s up-close like reading a book or sewing.

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