Posted by: Chicago Arbor Eye Institute in Cataracts
One of the most important parts of cataract surgery is choosing the type of replacement lens you want. Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are artificial, corrective lenses that replace the natural, cataract-affected lens and give you back unobstructed vision.
They can also correct common refractive errors, so your vision after cataract surgery may be better than it has been in years. The Vivity IOL is one of the most advanced options for people undergoing cataract surgery.
These lenses can correct vision at multiple distances, allowing you to enjoy many activities without the need for glasses or contacts. Keep reading to learn more about the Vivity IOL and whether or not you might be a good candidate for this lens!
When Should I Consider Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision changes in older adults. They develop on the natural lens of the eye, a clear disc that helps focus light on the retina.
The natural lens is made up of proteins, which begin to deteriorate over time. The proteins eventually form clumps or clusters that create cloudy patches on the lens.
The cloudy patches prevent light from passing through the lens and affect visual acuity. When cataracts first develop, they are usually small and don’t have a significant impact on your vision.
When they get larger, they can cause symptoms such as:
- Blurry vision
- A need for more frequent glasses/contact lens prescription changes
- New or increased sensitivity to light or glare
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Colors seem muted or dimmer
You may be able to manage the early symptoms of cataracts by increasing the light in your office and home, as well as getting new glasses or contacts as needed. Eventually, you may find that cataracts are causing permanent cloudy or blank spots in your field of vision.
This can make it unsafe to drive, and you may have trouble doing daily tasks such as cooking, reading, or watching TV. When cataracts are significantly interrupting your ability to do the things you love, you should talk to your eye doctor about cataract surgery.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. If you need cataract surgery on both eyes, your eye doctor may suggest scheduling two separate procedures to ensure that you have partial vision during recovery.
Before your procedure, your eye doctor will discuss your IOL choices with you and help you decide if the Vivity IOL will work for you. During your procedure, your eye doctor will numb the surface of your eye so you won’t feel any discomfort.
Using advanced tools, your eye doctor will make a small incision to access the interior of your eye. They will break up and remove the natural lens of the eye.
Then, they will place the IOL in its place. Once the IOL is properly positioned, the procedure is over. The incision will heal without stitches.
Some people notice an immediate improvement in vision. However, for others, it can take a couple of weeks for your vision to reach its full potential.
Final results are usually apparent after about six to eight weeks. If you choose a premium IOL, like the Vivity IOL, you may even be able to reduce your dependence on visual aids and look forward to having greater visual freedom.
What are IOLs Used For?
The Vivity IOL is one of many IOL options you will have to choose from before cataract surgery. Cataracts affect the natural lens of the eye, and the only way to reverse them is through cataract surgery.
During the procedure, your eye doctor removes the cataract-affected lens and replaces it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This process removes all the clouded tissue in the eye, and the clear IOL restores the unobstructed vision you enjoyed before cataracts.
The IOL is a corrective lens that can also correct visual problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
What Are The Different Types of IOLs?
There are a variety of IOLs available that can correct a range of visual concerns. The standard IOL is a monofocal lens. This type of lens can correct vision at one distance, similar to the way monofocal glasses or contacts work.
While you can get a monofocal lens that corrects at near, intermediate, or distance vision, it’s most common to choose a distance vision IOL. This allows you to drive or watch TV without glasses, but you may still need reading glasses for near or intermediate vision.
There are also IOL options that distance at multiple distances, the way bifocals or progressive lenses do. Multifocal IOLs can be a bifocal or trifocal lens to give you a better range of corrected vision.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses also offer multifocal correction, using an elongated focal point that provides vision correction at all distances.
What is The Vivity IOL?
At Chicago-Arbor Eye Institute, we offer the Alcon Clareon Vivity Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOL. This advanced IOL provides good vision correction for distance vision and intermediate vision, along with some degree of improvement for close-up vision.
People who opt for the Vivity EDOF IOL typically do not need glasses for activities like driving or working at a computer, but they may need glasses for close work like using a smartphone, reading a book, or looking at a menu in a restaurant.
Patients who choose the Vivity EDOF IOL report a lower incidence of glare sensitivity or seeing halos around lights compared to people who choose other types of IOLs. This can be a significant benefit for individuals who frequently drive at night.
Who Should Choose the Vivity IOL?
The Vivity IOL is a good choice for people who:
- Want visual correction at multiple distances
- Are engaged in an active lifestyle
- Rely on intermediate distance vision for activities like computer work or cooking
- Have healthy eyes without a history of significant corneal or retinal issues
- Have an uncorrected reading distance closer to the intermediate range
- Are sensitive to glare and halos
- Need good night vision
A Vivity IOL is also available in a toric version, so people with astigmatism can enjoy the benefits of this IOL as well.
Do you want to find out if the Vivity IOL is right for you? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute in Chicago, IL, today!
