Lens Options
An intraocular lens (IOL) is a prosthetic lens implant that is placed in the eye after a cataract is removed or during refractive lens exchange surgery. These lenses are made of plastic or silicone and stay permanently in the eye after removal of the eye’s natural crystalline lens. Intraocular lenses may be either monofocal or multifocal. Monofocal lenses have a single zone of clear focus, usually set for excellent distance vision, but require the use of reading glasses for near tasks, like reading or sewing. Multifocal lenses have several zones of clear vision and allow for both distance and near correction.
An accommodating IOL is designed to allow both distance and close vision without the help of additional distance or reading glasses in most situations. The Bausch & Lomb Crystalens is the only FDA-approved accommodating lens available in the United States.
