Is A Premium IOL Worth The Extra Cost?
August 14th, 2020
When you have cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is completely removed. It’s then replaced with an intraocular lens or IOL.
IOLs are artificial lenses that take over the job of what the lens used to do before it became cloudy. There are two types of IOLs: standard, and premium.
Premium IOLs allow for great vision, without glasses or contacts. Keep reading to find out if premium IOLs are worth the extra cost!
What are Premium IOLs?
Premium IOLs have more premium features than a standard, monofocal IOL. They provide sharper vision, even in poor light and at far distances.
Premium IOLs are a serious upgrade compared to the standard IOLs. One thing that people are often concerned with when considering these IOLs is their cost. Most insurance plans do not cover premium IOLs, only a standard, monofocal IOL.
Benefits of Premium IOLs
Premium IOLs are multipurpose lenses. This means that they serve many functions.
Premium lenses don’t only help with cataracts. They also help with astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. With premium IOL lenses, you can see clearly at any distance.
Premium IOLs are also very stable. Standard lenses can rotate after being placed in the eye. This is much less likely to occur with premium lenses.
Once placed in the eye, they stay there. A big reason for this is they are a custom option.
They are custom made for each patient. This ensures that there is a perfect fit, every time, improving their efficiency.
With standard lenses, you will need reading glasses as you age. You’ll also need glasses to see at other distances.
Premium IOLs remove the need for glasses or contact lenses. They provide excellent vision, both near and far.
They also help you to see more clearly up close, which allows you to read more easily. With premium IOLs, you can say goodbye to reading glasses.
Types of Premium IOLs
There are different types of premium IOLs. The right one for you will be dependent on the condition of your eyes and your lifestyle.
Toric IOLs
Toric IOLs are premium lenses that are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. This is the only IOL for astigmatism.
Astigmatism occurs when the eye is an irregular shape, which causes blurry or distorted vision. Toric IOLs help correct irregularly shaped lenses.
This creates sharp, clear vision at every distance. Toric IOLs also correct refractive errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Multifocal IOLs
Multifocal IOLs expand your vision range. This is done with magnifications on different parts of the lens.
The magnification makes it possible for you to see objects at any distance. Multifocal lenses are often recommended for people that have had LASIK. This is because they provide the sharpest vision at all ranges.
Accommodating IOLs
Did you know that the lens changes shape depending on what you are looking at? This helps you to focus on specific things.
This natural accommodation is a result of little muscles found in your eyes. These muscles change the shape of the lenses.
The shape of the lens will change depending on what you are focusing on. Accommodating IOLs make use of the same muscles to better achieve this purpose.
The added benefits of premium IOLs are significant. These benefits make them more expensive than standard IOLs. In the long run, the vision benefits of premium lenses are worth the added cost.
Wondering if a premium IOL could be right for you? Schedule a cataract screening at the Laser Eye Centre in Huntsville, AL!
