Freedom IOLs
What is an IOL?
If it’s time to undergo cataract surgery, you have a few major decisions to make. The most critical choice you face is the IOL you select for your procedure.
Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, replace your natural lens during cataract surgery. They focus light, which your natural lens could no longer do. North Georgia Eye Associates has a complete offering of standard and freedom IOLs. We can get you the ideal IOL for your lifestyle and vision goals.
IOLs, or intraocular lenses, refer to the replacement lenses used during cataract surgery. Cataracts form on the eye’s natural lens as proteins break down and clump together.
As they gather together, they turn your lens cloudy and white. Cataracts can get so thick they block light from flowing to your retina. At this point, they impair your vision, making cataract surgery necessary. Cataract surgery removes and replaces your natural lens with an IOL.
IOLs focus that light directly onto your retina, producing clear, crisp vision. The IOL you select determines the versatility of your eyesight after cataract surgery.
Introducing the Revolutionary Light Adjustable Lens
Freedom IOLs
There are a wide range of IOLs to choose from. Some can end your need for glasses after cataract surgery.
If you want to live glasses-free after your procedure, you need a freedom IOL. There are many freedom IOLs, but they all provide clear vision at more than one distance or focal point.
The PanOptix Trifocal IOL
The PanOptix trifocal IOL is the first-ever trifocal IOL available. Most freedom IOLs have two focal points built into the lens.
These focal points are in the material of the IOL as rings. The PanOptix trifocal has three of these rings or focal points.
As light enters your eye, the PanOptix trifocal can focus it, no matter where it comes from. The three focal points in the lens give you a full range of vision from near, far, and between.
If you want visual freedom after cataract surgery, the PanOptix trifocal IOL can give it to you. You may need reading glasses for fine print, but besides that, you can look forward to reduced dependence on visual aids after cataract surgery.
The Vivity IOL
The Vivity IOL is the first and only non-diffractive extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL. It has longer focal points than traditional freedom IOLs and does not split the light entering your eye.
The extended focal point gives you a more comprehensive range of continuous vision. In addition, the non-diffractive X-WAVE technology used in the Vivity IOL gives you disturbance-free sight.
Most freedom IOLs have rings built into the lens. These rings have focusing power to give you clear vision at one focal point.
But, the focal points in freedom IOLs split the light that enters your eye. The result is that there are minor but noticeable gaps in your vision when transitioning between focal points.
The X-WAVE technology stretches and shifts light instead of splitting it. Because light is stretched instead of split, you’ll have a full range of clear vision without disturbances. The Vivity IOL can also significantly reduce or end your need for glasses.
The ReSTOR IOL
The ReSTOR IOL provides patients with a broader range of vision, allowing them to see up close, at a distance, and everything in between while reducing dependence on reading glasses and other visual aids. The ReSTOR IOL uses various technologies, including refraction, apodization, and diffraction.
Using these technologies helps focus light on the retina at various distances. These technologies make the ReSTOR IOL particularly helpful when reading computer screens, magazines, or prescription bottles. Having this capability is especially useful for patients with presbyopia.
The Crystalens IOL
The Crystalens IOL is an intraocular lens that helps reduce your dependence on visual aids. It works similarly to the natural lens in your eye by using muscles that cause the natural lens to change its shape.
Once the natural lens is removed during cataract surgery and replaced with the Crystalens, the IOL is placed in the lens capsule that once held the natural lens. Muscles in the eye help the capsule change its shape.
The Crystalens has a unique structure that allows it to flex and change shape when tiny muscles in the lens capsule contract and relax. When this happens, the lens’s focus switches to enable you to see a broader range of distances without visual aids.
Toric Model IOLs
If you have astigmatism, you can correct it during cataract surgery. Toric model IOLs compensate for the shape of your cornea that causes astigmatism.
Most freedom IOLs have toric models available. That means you can get the exceptional vision provided by the IOL and end your astigmatism simultaneously.
Monofocal IOLs
Monofocal or standard IOLs are the most basic type of IOL. They provide superb vision at one distance.
The downside of a monofocal IOL is that they only give you clear vision at one distance. You will still need glasses for other distances not corrected by the IOL.
Most people correct their distance vision with a monofocal IOL. That means you still need glasses for up-close tasks like reading.
If you don’t mind using reading glasses, a monofocal IOL may be a good fit. If you prefer not to depend on reading glasses, a freedom IOL is a better choice.
Light Adjustable Lens
Do you have cataracts and need cataract surgery? When you need to have your cataracts removed, there’s an essential component to decide on before the procedure: choosing an intraocular lens.
The Light Adjustable Lens is one of the most revolutionary intraocular lenses now available at North Georgia Eye Associates. To learn if the Light Adjustable Lens may be right for you, request an appointment at North Georgia Eye Associates in Gainesville, Georgia!
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens, also called LAL, is a new type of intraocular lens that can have its focusing power adjusted after cataract surgery. Unlike traditional monofocal and multifocal IOLs, which have a fixed power, the LAL contains a light-sensitive material that allows your eye doctor to fine-tune your vision after you’ve recovered from cataract surgery.
Your eye doctor is able to accomplish this during a series of light treatments by using a special UV light delivery device. This provides a completely customizable lens that can be optimized for your eyes and allows you to test drive your vision.
How Does the Light Adjustable Lens Work?
The LAL is uniquely designed to be altered by UV light. During the initial cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will implant the customizable IOL in your eye after the cloudy natural lens has been removed.
At first, the lens power will be near your estimated vision needs. Then, after you’ve healed from the procedure, your eye doctor will perform a series of follow-up treatments to further refine your vision.
Using a special UV delivery device that is placed in front of your eye, specific areas of the LAL will be exposed to UV light. This changes the structure of the lens and adjusts its curvature and corrective power.
You may need a few treatments with the Light Delivery Device in order to reach your desired vision outcome. After the treatment, you will be able to test drive your vision to ensure it is at the clarity you feel is best.
What is Recovery Like After Cataract Surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens?
Recovery from cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens is typically just as smooth and fast as recovery with any other IOL. The most significant difference in recovery is that you will need to return to your eye doctor’s office for treatments with the Light Delivery Device to perfect your vision.
You may also need to wear sunglasses to avoid exposing your eyes to UV light prior to finalizing your vision. Your eye doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prevent complications and ensure you have optimal results.
Do you want to learn more about the Light Adjustable Lens or determine if this lens may be right for you? Schedule an appointment at North Georgia Eye Associates in Gainesville, GA, today!
Is the Light Adjustable Lens Right for Me?
If you want the potential for perfect vision after cataract surgery and do not mind going through a short series of painless follow-up treatments, the Light Adjustable Lens may be right for you. This innovative IOL not only corrects cataracts but gives you an opportunity for visual freedom.
The best way to know whether or not the Light Adjustable Lens may be right for you is to discuss your options with your cataract surgeon. They will be able to tell you the pros and cons of each IOL so you are able to weigh your choices.
When discussing IOL options, your eye doctor will ask you about your vision goals, budget, and lifestyle. Although the Light Adjustable Lens will be more expensive than other options, such as a standard IOL, it is an excellent investment in customized vision for many people.
