What Is A Multifocal Lens?

An exciting part of cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange is the option to get out of glasses completely. There are a few ways this is achieved. The first is a way well known to many contact lens wearers called mini-monovision. Mini-monovison can be done with cataract surgery! But today let's talk about the second way: the second way uses what’s known as a multifocal lens (sometimes referred to as a lifestyle lens).

What can I see with a multifocal lens?

A multifocal lens allows light entering the eye to focus at different distances. For example, light can be focused for distance vision while at the same time be focused for up close vision. Unlike in mini-monovision, each eye can see both up close and distance at the same time. This allows both eyes to work together.

Multifocal lenses have evolved over the years and over time have progressively gotten better and better. In the past, it was often difficult to provide distance, computer and reading vision at the same time. But gradually lens technology has advanced to the point where glasses are rarely needed at all. Modern multifocal lenses are often called trifocal lenses because they focus at the three important distances (distance, computer or intermediate, and reading).

Sounds great! What's the catch?

Best thing since sliced bread, right? Well, these are good lenses but unfortunately they won’t take you back to the vision you had in your 20’s. There are some limitations to what can be done. All multifocal lenses have some degree of halos, glare and starbursts. These are noticed around lights and thus are more commonly seen at night time, typically while driving. For a few people, this can make it difficult to drive at night in the short term. The brain, however, has a remarkable ability to improve the way it processes vision. Gradually over time, the brain learns that these halos, starbursts and glare aren’t important for vision and these symptoms gradually fade away over time.

See also Are There Side Effects Of Multifocal Lenses?

So while it does take a little bit of time to adjust to multifocal lenses, your patience is rewarded with an awesome ability to see without glasses! No wonder, these lenses have gotten so popular.

Who Can Get Multifocal Lenses?

_{Things easily done with glasses independence; image by Moyan Brenn from Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons</sub}

Multifocal lenses may not be the best option or work very well for everyone.

The best candidates for multifocal lenses are patients who have perfectly healthy eyes (other than having a cataract). To provide good up close, computer and distance vision, multifocal lenses split light. Healthy eyes ensure that all the light that enters the eye after cataract surgery travels unobstructed to the back of the eye. When there is plenty of light to go around than these lenses can work very well!

There are some eye conditions that limit how well a multifocal lens can perform. Any condition that affects the overall quality of vision can prevent multifocal lenses from working the way they were designed. Multifocal lenses just don’t work very well with significant disease in the retina such as macular degeneration or diabetes. The same thing happens with significant cornea issues such as bad dry eye. All of these conditions impair the ability of the eyes to see and thus prevents multifocal lenses from really reaching their potential. In each of these scenarios, using a standard (single focus) lens that only focuses either in the distance or up close is the best option.

So, if your eyes are healthy and you desire to get out of glasses after cataract surgery, then you are likely in luck! A multifocal lens can provide that vision freedom.

Also check out Your Complete Guide Of Lenses For Cataract Surgery on EyeMountain.com

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