Recover Clear Vision at Far and Near
In our busy, multi-tasking world, we want to — need to — see perfectly at many different distances. We all read, use cell phones, tablet devices, desktop computers. We read newspapers, magazines, books, and the tiny print on prescription medication bottles when necessary. We enjoy athletic pursuits and sports, most of which benefit from exceptional vision at far distance. When we drive, we want to see freeway signs hundreds of yards away, and our dashboard, and occasionally check email or texts on our phones (OK, when we’re stopped, or parked, officer :->).
So as good as monofocal IOLs may be, they’re not close to a perfect solution. We still have not developed the perfect, adjustable-focus IOL to replace the natural young human lens, but multifocal IOLs add a whole set of features and benefits that are not possible with monofocal IOLs.
Multifocal IOLs work by having concentric zones of different focus, alternating far and near. This affords very good distance and reading clarity. These lenses do need to optically split the incoming light into two points of focus, so they do cause some reduction in contrast sensitivity (fine detail detection in low light). And the concentric rings do cause a bit of halo to be perceived around point sources of light at night such as headlights, taillights and street lights. The overwhelming majority of people that have had multifocal IOLs implanted are extremely happy with their overall visual function, and don’t mind these imperfections, which they perceive to be minor. Whether you will be an optimal candidate for multifocal IOL care will be assessed and discussed at your comprehensive cataract and IOL consultation.
