Summit Health Oregon

Surgery and intra ocular lens options

Cataracts develop as part of the aging process. By age 75, about 70 percent of people will have cataracts. With age, our eye’s lens slowly becomes less flexible and less transparent, blocking vision. Then, areas of the lens become cloudy as proteins in the lens begin to clump together.

During typical cataract surgery, the eye’s natural lens is removed using a phacoemulsification process. This process is where the lens is liquefied and then removed with an ultrasound instrument. The lens is then replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). The surgery itself takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. This outpatient procedure does not require the patient to be put to sleep and is quick, painless, and easy for the patient to go through.

Although vision can be better the day after surgery, the best vision takes about 1 month. At this time, the eye is healed, and that is when the eye is stable enough for a new glasses prescription, which is frequently needed to achieve maximum vision.

Patients have an important decision to make when facing cataract surgery. Although the primary purpose of cataract surgery is vision restoration, patients can frequently upgrade the lens implant type to improve their spectacle independence. This decision involves thinking about how you will see after your surgery.

With the intraocular lens implants available today, your surgeon can help you accomplish clear vision with reduced dependence on prescription glasses or contacts. When planning the Intra Ocular Lens or IOL type, the doctor needs to know if you prefer to wear glasses full-time or if you hope to decrease your use of glasses, at least for some tasks.

If you desire to increase your spectacle independence after surgery, your eye surgeons, Dr. Robert C. Mathews and Dr. Brian P. Desmond,  in our Ophthalmology Department, offer the latest technology to accomplish this.

Intra ocular lens options

This IOL restores clear vision at a single fixed focus. Usually, this is for distance vision. Glasses will be required for near vision. Alternatively, the basic monofocal IOL can be set for near vision. Glasses will then be required for distance vision. The basic monofocal IOL does not correct astigmatism. If astigmatism is present, glasses will be required for clear vision at all ranges of vision.

This IOL corrects astigmatism at the same time as the cataract surgery. This reduces the need for glasses at a fixed focus. Usually, this is for distance vision. Glasses will be required for near vision. Alternatively, the Toric IOL can be set for near vision. Glasses will then be required for distance. Toric IOLs and basic IOLs can also be used for monovision, with one eye set for distance and one eye set for near.

This IOL corrects both distance and near vision simultaneously. It reduces the need for glasses at distance and near. Glasses may still be needed for some tasks. This lens produces halos around lights at night. It does not function well if astigmatism is present.

This IOL can flex within the eye, allowing it to focus at different distances. It reduces the need for glasses at distance and near. Because of the flexible nature of this lens, the focal range is slightly unpredictable. Glasses may be required for some tasks. It does not function well if astigmatism is present or with prolonged very near work.

Ophthalmology & Optometry

Clinics

Eastside Clinic
Bend, Oregon

Redmond Specialty Clinic
Redmond, Oregon