Choosing a Cataract Lens

In modern cataract surgery, the clouded crystalline lens is removed and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses represent a highly innovative technology – both in terms of corrective power and the quality of vision provided. Different types of intraocular lenses are available today, enabling good vision at near or far distance.

IOLs can simulate the refractive properties of the natural lens, however they do not have the ability to accommodate. Advanced intraocular lenses are designed to meet additional, individual patient's vision requirements. Depending on the design, the advanced IOLs can offer further benefits, such as improved contrast perception.

There are different types of intraocular lenses available today.

• Standard intraocular lenses are the most commonly used implants in cataract treatment. They have one focal point and can improve sight at one distance: far or near. These lenses are called monofocal lenses. For the remaining distances, the patient may still need to use glasses.
• Advanced versions offer additional advantages on top of treating the cataract. For instance, aspheric IOLs can improve contrast sensitivity general image quality. 

Standard types of monofocal IOLs have a spherical optic, which is equally rounded on both sides. It is normally paid for by your health insurance.

However, the natural crystalline lens of the eye has a slightly aspherical (not completely round) shape at the front, and is not equally curved on both sides. This shape enables it to precisely focus light rays entering the eye onto one point on the retina. The result is a clear, crisp image.

Advanced monofocal IOLs are available with an aspherical optic very similar to the original shape of the crystalline lens. The special design of the aspheric versions enable an enhanced image quality.

Consult with your ophthalmologist to find out which type of monofocal option is right for you.

Additional advantages of advanced cataract treatment options

Advanced IOL solutions such as aspheric lenses correct certain light phenomena and improve contrast, providing an optimized image quality. For instance, aspheric lenses correct certain light phenomena and improve contrast, providing an optimized image quality.
These additional functions are not always covered by the national health care system.

Please check with your doctor if an aspheric and/or toric IOL is recommended in your case and discuss the potential extra costs of the lens. These additional functions are not always covered by the national health care system. Please check with your doctor if an aspheric and/or toric IOL is recommended in your case and discuss the potential extra costs of the lens.

The special, not uniformly curved, design of the aspheric IOLs enables the correction of spherical aberrations.

What is a spherical aberration?

A spherical aberration is a visual defect that occurs when light rays passing into the eye are not precisely focused at one single focal point. When we are young, the cornea and lens of the eye work together to focus the entering light rays at exactly one point on the retina, optimizing image contrast.

As we grow older, that interaction deteriorates, causing reduced vision quality. This means:

• Vision gets blurry.
• Contrast perception is decreased, leading to difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.

With aspheric IOLs, light rays entering the eye are once again sharply focused at a single point on the retina. The result is improved contrast sensitivity and an enhanced image quality, especially during activities such as driving at night or reading in dim lighting conditions.

If you are already suffering from spherical aberration or you want to prevent this visual change, an aspherical IOL may be a suitable option for you. Discuss this option with your ophthalmologist.