Advanced Lifestyle Bifocal Implants are a type of premium implant lens that help restore near vision and are used with Cataract Surgery or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). These advanced lenses help correct the condition known as Presbyopia, an aging condition where we lose the ability to see up close.

 

Unlike the standard Monofocal Implant Lenses, these advanced technology lenses provide excellent vision at more than one focal point.  Depending on your specific vision requirements, there are different types of bifocal implants that Drs. Stahl & Knowles may select. These include the Crystalens® Accommodating Intraocular Lens Implant, the Tecnis® Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and for patients that have a lot of astigmatism, we now have astigmatism correcting implants as well—these are known as Toric Implant Lenses. . Each of these Implants lenses or Intra-Ocular Lenses (IOL) works in a different way to help you achieve your vision correction goals of being able to see at a variety of distances after Cataract Surgery--without being dependent on bifocal glasses or readers.

 

Drs. Stahl & Knowles will be able to suggest which one will help you achieve your vision correction goals after your surgery.

ADVANCED LIFESTYLE BIFOCAL IMPLANT LENSES

Crystalens®

The Crystalens® is a focusing IOL (moves and flexes) that offers excellent distance and intermediate (desktop computer, or car dashboard) vision.  The Crystalens focuses by mimicking the human eye by using the eye muscles to change the shape of the lens thus changing the lens power. Another advantage of the Crystalens is that there is less night glare and sharper contrast than with some of the other multifocal implant lens designs. If you are reading fine print or holding objects up-close you may need readers to see clearly.

Strengths: distance, intermediate & night driving. Weaknesses: may need readers occasionally

 

Presbyopia- This condition causes people to lose their near vision around the age of 40.  The eyes have less accommodation ability.  This means the eye loses the ability to change the shape of the lens inside the eye that it uses to focus on things up close. If you have been told that you have presbyopia that means you can’t see things up close and your doctor may have recommended reading glasses or bifocals.

Tecnis® Multifocal

Tecnis® Symfony

The Tecnis®  is a bifocal implant lens that offers near and distance vision.  This lens brings things like reading books into focus and offers much more improved near vision over any other lens choice.  With this Tecnis lens you will be able to see at a distance as well, but intermediate vision (for instance a desktop monitor) may be less clear.  It is typical to experience some glare and halos with night driving that usually improves over time. 

Strengths: near, distance.

Weaknesses: some glare/halos with night driving that improves over time, slightly less clear intermediate.

The Tecnis Symfony® The Symfony (pronounced like "symphony") intraocular lens is a new option that can offer better intermediate vision and can correct for astigmatism. This expands the Tecnis Multifocals range of vision and makes this lens (Symfony) available to a wider range of patients.

​

Strengths: near, distance.

Weaknesses: some glare/halos with night driving that improves over time, slightly less clear intermediate.

Astigmatism- is where the cornea, the outer window of the eye, is curved more in one direction than the other.  The eye is shaped like a football so this causes multiple points of focus and blurry vision. 

 Toric Lens

The Toric is an astigmatism correcting lens that also offers excellent distance vision, better than the standard monofocal lens.  Reading glasses will be necessary for up-close vision, and often for intermediate vision.  You may be able to wear non-prescription readers or magnifiers that are readily available. 

Strengths: distance vision, corrects astigmatism.  Weaknesses: will need readers for near and sometimes intermediate vision.

 

If you decide to have an Advance Lifestyle bifocal implant lens our surgery coordinators will review your questions and fully explain any additional fees related to the lens implant that you might be responsible for. Most insurances including Medicare cover the cost of the cataract surgery, the surgical facility fee for cataract surgery, and anesthesia fees, but not the cost of Advance Lifestyle bifocal implant lens.

 

If you are having Refractive Lens Exchange, all of these fees are included in one global fee. Our surgery coordinators will be pleased to review any costs as well arrange convenient monthly payments to fit your budget, should you decide that an Advance Lifestyle Bifocal Implant Lens is the best choice for you.