If you’ve found out that you have a cataract and your doctor says you need surgery, you are probably already experiencing visual disturbances. Your vision might seem cloudy or blurry or colors might not seem as vibrant as they used to. You might be experiencing halos around lights, making it difficult to drive at night. Or, you might even have double vision or multiple images in one eye. You have probably also experienced frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
So, you might be asking, what about after cataract surgery? Will I still need glasses? The answer is, it depends…
Monofocal IOL
If you have chosen cataract surgery with implantation of a standard single-focus monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, you may still need reading glasses and possibly glasses for working at a computer, depending on your specific visual needs. This type of IOL offers clear vision at one distance only – it is designed for close range, medium range or distance vision. Most people have their monofocal IOL set for far vision; therefore glasses may still be needed to see up close.
Multifocal IOL
If you’ve decided on a multifocal IOL, you may find that you may not need to wear glasses after surgery. These lenses provide a few different focusing distances within the same lenses, but there may be some issues with quality of vision such as glare. Additionally, a patient who chooses a monofocal lens might have clearer distance vision than a patient who chooses a multifocal IOL.
Toric IOL
Toric IOLs are designed for people with astigmatism and can correct the refractive error caused by a cornea with an irregular shape. Like patients who choose a monofocal IOL, if you choose a toric IOL, you may still need to rely on reading glasses or contact lenses for near and intermediate range vision. Toric IOLs can offer distance vision that is even clearer than before developing cataracts, but like monofocal IOLs they are designed to only correct vision at one distance.
Accommodating IOL
Accommodating IOLs are designed to provide similar distance vision to a monofocal IOL, but they are also designed to flex forward slightly when looking at near objects providing a greater range of vision. Some people find their need for reading glasses or computer glasses after surgery is reduced.
Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOL
Extended depth of focus IOLs are a new technology that has recently emerged. These IOLs are designed to provide a full range of vision from near to far, with the goal of providing clear vision across all distances. In most cases, these lenses help minimize or eliminate the need for glasses after cataract surgery.
There are many reasons to choose a particular IOL over another. The categories above provide a general overview of each IOL available; however there are multiple IOLs in each category that may have additional benefits or risks. It is important to talk to you doctor about your lifestyle and specific vision needs to help you choose the IOL that is best for you.
So, will you still need glasses after cataract surgery? Maybe. But you will likely experience an improvement in both your vision and your quality of life.
References:
https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/faq-cataract-glasses-after-surgery.htm
http://yoursightmatters.com/different-types-iols/
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/after-cataract-surgery-hoping-to-toss-the-glasses/
