Why do I need reading glasses/bifocals?

During daily activities such as reading, writing, watching television or working at the computer, our eyes are constantly focusing on objects at a distance, up close, and in between. The ability to quickly change our focal point throughout our range of vision is called accommodation. The eye accomplishes this by moving the lens inside the eye small distances back and forth. As we age, our lens gets a little heavier until it becomes difficult for the eye to move the lens. This is called presbyopia. Many people will complain of “eye strain” or needing the “arm stretcher” to see clearly. To alleviate this, we become more and more dependent on bifocals or reading glasses for up close and intermediate work.

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Benefits

The TECNIS® Multifocal Lens enables you to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances without glasses in all light conditions. Compare the following images.

In the first image, which demonstrates vision with the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens, you can see the coffee cup close up, the dashboard at intermediate, as well as road signs in the distance—all clearly.		Now, analyze the second image. This one demonstrates what you might see with the standard monofocal lens implant. Although the distance vision is clear, notice how the coffee cup is now blurry and the intermediate is not as sharp.

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Results & Candidacy

Ideal candidates are those who perform a large majority of their tasks up close and would like to do so glasses free. Sewing, crossword puzzles, and texting are some examples. If you enjoy reading in bed at night, this may be the lens for you.

Virtually anyone with good general health is a candidate for implant surgery, but people with chronic infections, uncontrolled diabetes, or other health problems may need to wait until these conditions are under control prior to surgery.

If you have had prior corneal refractive surgery and were not near sighted prior to the procedure, you may not be an ideal candidate for a TECNIS® Multifocal Lens. If you were near sighted before the procedure, then you should be an acceptable candidate as long as your eye is in good health. Please inform your surgeon at your first meeting that you have undergone previous refractive surgery.

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Risks and Side Effects

The medical procedure to implant the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens is the same safe, proven cataract surgery performed annually on over 7 million eyes globally. Over 40 million procedures have been done in the last 25 years. But because it is surgery, it is not completely risk-free.

Immediately after surgery, some patients may notice rings around lights when driving at night. However, as the eye adjusts to the lens, the visual impression of rings may lessen or go away over time.

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Facts & Questions

What do I need to know about the procedure?
It is very important to remember that implant surgery cannot alleviate pre-existing conditions that are not related to the lens, such as floaters.

Your doctor will thoroughly discuss the restoration of your vision after surgery and will recommend a specific plan for optimizing your uncorrected vision for near and far. It is important to remember that while virtually everyone experiences much improved vision after cataract surgery, some people will have better uncorrected vision than others.
It may be necessary for some people to wear glasses for distance and/or near vision to obtain optimal visual acuity. The difference from standard lenses is that most people will not be dependent on these supplemental vision aids to function normally.

Since this information isn't intended to replace the advice of a health care professional, be sure and talk with your doctor before making any decisions regarding vision correction procedures.

Will I be able to read in all light conditions?
The TECNIS® Multifocal Lens functions very much like the normal human lens. It is always best to read with sufficient light, but the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens does not require extremely bright light to function.

Should I have the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens implant put in both eyes?
Your physician will look at a number of factors in deciding which eye needs the implant first and when, if necessary, the other eye is ready. The physicians at The Eye Center strive to customize each patient’s outcome. Sometimes, this is by placing the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens in both eyes, and other times it requires another type of Lifestyle lens in the second eye.

Will I have to have cataract surgery again?
Once your cataracts or clear lenses are removed and replaced with an implantable lens, you should never have to have cataract surgery again.

For more information about any of these life-changing services, please contact us. To schedule an appointment, you may call 803-256-0641 or schedule your consultation online.

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