Choosing an intraocular lens is one of the most important decisions in cataract surgery. Different IOL designs aim for different balances between sharpness, range of vision, glasses dependence, and optical side effects.
Monofocal IOLs
Traditional monofocal lenses are designed to provide a clear focus at one primary distance. Many patients choose distance vision and use reading glasses afterward.
Enhanced Monofocal IOLs
Enhanced monofocal designs may provide somewhat greater functional range than a traditional monofocal while retaining a monofocal-style optical strategy. The exact performance varies by lens.
EDOF IOLs
Extended depth-of-focus lenses are designed to extend the range of functional vision. They may reduce dependence on glasses for some intermediate tasks while still requiring reading glasses for certain near work.
Multifocal IOLs
Multifocal lenses distribute light among different focal points to provide a broader range of vision. Some patients experience glare, halos, or reduced contrast, especially in challenging lighting.
Which is best?
There is no universally best lens. The decision should consider corneal and retinal health, astigmatism, prior LASIK or PRK, desired spectacle independence, tolerance for optical phenomena, and your surgeon’s measurements.
Cataractsinfo.org 