If you're having private cataract surgery with Newmedica, you don't need to settle for the standard monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).
You can choose from several premium lens types based on your needs and lifestyle. Learn more about our multifocal lenses below.
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Multifocal lenses are IOLs; a type of artificial lens that can be used during cataract surgery to replace the eye's natural lens. What makes them different from other types is that they are also designed to help you see over multiple distances (i.e. near, intermediate and far). By contrast, most IOLs are monofocal, which means they only improve vision over one distance.
Multifocal IOLs benefit people with an active, visually varied lifestyle, where switching between tasks like driving, using a computer and reading is common. With the ability to see things far away and nearby clearly, they'll no longer be as reliant on glasses to get through their day.
However, the lenses may not be suitable for those suffering from serious degenerative eye conditions like AMD. The vision loss caused by these conditions may mean the benefits of multifocal lenses are short-lived.
Cataracts are clouds that form in the lens of the eye, making it look like you're viewing everything through a frosted window. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is replaced by an artificial one, such as a multifocal lens. This is completely clear, so your vision will no longer be cloudy or blurry from the cataracts.
This is the condition most people need reading glasses for as they get older. The natural lens of the eye becomes rigid, making things close to you look out of focus. But with a multifocal lens, you'll replace it with one that always shows nearby objects in focus.
By sharpening near and distance vision, multifocal IOLs can replace glasses for patients also struggling with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
This is a common condition where the front of the eye is not spherical like a ball, making it curved like a rugby ball. This can cause light to scatter as it enters the eye resulting in blurred vision which cannot be fixed by standard IOLs. Instead, it is corrected by specially designed lenses called toric lenses. These can also be multifocal.
A multifocal lens is made up of concentric rings, like an archery target, with each ring being designed to correct vision over a different distance. These rings focus incoming light at several different points at the back of the eye, all at the same time. This is different to monofocal or natural lenses, which focus light into just one point at any given moment.
The brain then has to sort out which point to focus on and ignore the others. This new way of seeing will eventually become natural, but it can take a while to get used to.
As the name suggests, trifocal lenses provide clear vision at three distances: near, intermediate and far. Adding the intermediate distance helps people perform arm's-length tasks like using computers, cooking and checking the dashboard while driving.
Bifocal lenses provide clear vision over two distances, typically near and far. These cover most basic visual needs, such as being able to read and being able to perform distance tasks like driving.
Toric multifocal lenses are specially designed to address the additional vision problems caused by astigmatism. The surface of the lens is made up of areas with several different strengths, which correct for the more curved shape of the cornea and ensure light is focused properly.
Multifocal lenses don't come in one uniform design. Different brands develop their own proprietary designs, which can affect how well they work, how suitable they are for each patient, and the need for follow-up treatments. There's no single best brand for all patients, which is why our experts will discuss the most suitable options with you after a comprehensive eye exam.
Multifocal lenses offer the greatest potential for going glasses-free out of all IOLs. They offer the broadest range of vision possible in a single lens, which potentially means you can switch between activities like watching TV, working and reading without ever reaching for your glasses.
A common but rarely discussed effect of cataracts is colours becoming dull or turning yellow. In addition to making your vision sharper, multifocal IOLs reverse this, restoring the brightness and vibrancy of the world around you.
Multifocal lenses may cost more than some other IOLs, but they can save you from the future costs of replacing glasses or buying contact lenses and solutions. The lenses are implanted just one time, then you're free to get on with your life without worrying about managing poor eyesight every day.
Multifocal lenses often have a slightly longer adjustment period than other IOLs, as your brain must learn to interpret multiple focus points. During this period, things may take a while to come into focus when you switch from one distance to another. Minor visual disturbances, such as halos around lights, are also common both during the adjustment period and after.
Multifocal lenses are typically only available privately, not through the NHS. At Newmedica, our multifocal lenses cost £3,595 per eye, for both standard and toric options.
Here at Newmedica, we're happy to help you choose the best lenses for your lifestyle. From your first appointment to your last follow-up, you'll be cared for by expert consultants with thousands of successful surgeries behind them. And with our short waiting times, you can have the vision you deserve in a matter of weeks. Book a private appointment today to discover which lenses will change your life.
