Selecting an Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implant

Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, are lenses that replace the eye’s natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery. At Florida Eye Health, you have the choice of either a conventional monofocal or a multifocal CustomLens implant.

Conventional Monofocal Lens Implant

If you choose a monofocal lens implant for your after surgery visual outcome, you may decide to have both eyes corrected for distance vision and wear reading glasses for near vision or have both eyes corrected for near vision and wear prescription glasses or contact lenses for distance vision. A third option is monovision to reduce the need for reading glasses. Your dominant eye is corrected for distance vision, while your non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision. With monovision, you may not need reading or distance glasses.

Implants

Patients may now choose to have a CustomLens implant for their after surgery visual outcome. Dr. Frantz offers several Custom IOLs, each designed to meet various vision problems. Prior to surgery Dr. Frantz will discuss the range of vision provided by the different CustomLens designs so that together you and he can decide which lens is best for you.
  The CustomLens implants offer the possibility of seeing well at all distances, without glasses or contact lenses. Among the lenses currently being offered at Florida Eye Health are:

  - ReZoom Multifocal Refractive IOL:  This lens distributes light over five optical zones to provide near, intermediate, and distance vision for reduced spectacle dependence.  Patients should
exercise caution when driving at night or in poor visibility conditions.           
  - ReSTOR Apodized Diffractive IOL:  This lens allows for clear distance vision while the center of the IOL also allows for near vision making you less dependent on glasses for daily tasks.  Again, there is a trade off. This possible decrease in use of glasses may come at the cost of losing some of the sharpness of your vision. Even with glasses, this loss of sharpness may become worse in dim light or fog. There may also be some visual side effects, including rings or circles around lights at night. Patients should exercise caution when driving at night or in poor visibility conditions.
  - The Crystalens Accommodating IOL:  This lens is designed to move backward and forward like your natural lens to give both distance and near vision.

Are the IOLs covered by Medicare?

Medicare and most private insurances cover cataract surgery. Medicare beneficiaries may choose to receive a presbyopia-correcting CustomLens that allows the eye to focus on near and far vision, minimizing the need for corrective lens. However, you are responsible for payment of that portion of the charge for the lens and associated services that exceed the charge for a conventional monofocal lens. Our insurance department is available to help with any inquiries.

Can you have a implant if you do not have cataracts?

If you do not have cataracts, are farsighted or nearsighted, and need bifocal or trifocal glasses or wear monovision contacts, you may choose to have a CustomLens implant; however, it would be considered an elective refractive procedure, and you would be responsible for paying the full cost of the procedure. Use of this lens for patients without cataracts is considered off-label use.