About 90% of Americans develop cataracts by the time they reach 65. A cataract is clouding of the natural lens of the eye that develops gradually and is mostly age-related. Patients often do not notice significant vision changes in the early stages of cataract development, but as cataracts develop, they can start to influence daily activities like reading, watching TV, or even recognizing faces from afar. Colors may also seem muted, lights become so bright they almost hurt or create the illusion of halos, or you may have an increasingly frequent need to change your eyeglass prescription.
Fortunately, cataracts are something that can be cured with a routine cataract surgery. For this reason, it is important to consult with a professional eye doctor as soon as you notice any changes in vision. While there are different types of cataracts, there is only one treatment that works best to restore your vision: surgery. The highly experienced ophthalmologists at Hill Vision Services have the expertise you want in your eye surgeon.
Cataract surgery essentially removes your natural, defective lens, and replaces it with an artificial lens that corrects your vision problems. It is important to note, however, that not all artificial lenses are the same. This is where premium lens implants like the PanOptix lens can make a crucial difference.
What is the PanOptix Trifocal Lens?
You have a choice in terms of the type of lens you want to use for your cataract surgery, and we can help you determine which choice is best for you. The PanOptix lens is the first of its kind in the U.S. — it is a trifocal, which means it can restore your normal vision at full range. To understand the advantages of the PanOptix trifocal lens, however, it’s important to differentiate it from monofocal lenses.
As the name indicates, a monofocal lens has singular refractive power, which means it can improve your vision only at a certain distance – either far away, or up close, but never both. This is why you may still have to use eyeglasses for close vision if your monofocal lens was set for distance, and vice-versa. Sometimes, a surgeon will set one eye for distance and the other for close vision, creating “monovision,” which lets you use each eye separately. This provides the advantage of not having to rely on glasses all the time, but not without a reduction in visual depth. While some patients are accustomed to using monovision with their contact lenses, monovision may not be a good option for all patients.
A trifocal lens implant, such as the PanOptix lens, is another option for patients looking to be free from prescription glasses after cataract surgery, as well as to be as independent as possible from reading glasses. The PanOptix lens has several concentric lens sections that have alternating refractive powers, allowing you to see clearly from afar, at an intermediate distance, and up close with each eye. It is indeed the perfect choice if you want to be as independent as possible from prescription and reading glasses.
Who are Good Candidates for PanOptix Trifocal Lenses?
Only a complete evaluation by an eye surgeon can determine if you are a good candidate for cataract surgery, and what intraocular lens (IOL) is best suited for you. The PanOptix trifocal lens is approved for cataract patients, so if you need cataract surgery, you’re likely already a good candidate! Other factors that your ophthalmologist will take into account is your eye shape, health, and lifestyle needs.
Lifestyle needs may include if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer or if you are tired of feeling limited due to having to constantly wear glasses. Unlike other IOLs, the PanOptix IOL provides you with distance, intermediate, and near vision. These lenses are designed to provide good vision in most day-to-day situations without the need for glasses. Additionally, your vision may be further optimized by wearing glasses for a few detailed tasks, like reading small print or threading a needle.
Advantages of the PanOptix Lens
In some cases, the PanOptix lens is a better option than monofocal lenses, and it has specific advantages over other types of trifocal lenses as well.
The PanOptix lens:
- Comes with an ultraviolet blue light filtering material. This shields your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
- Is noted for providing better image quality. With its 60-cm intermediate focal point, it can give you much sharper close and middle vision without sacrificing distance vision.
- Makes reading a lot easier. Compared to wearing glasses or even other trifocals, which tend to focus only on enhancing mid-distance vision, reading is much more comfortable.
PanOptix Lens Cataract Surgeon
If you are beginning to notice symptoms of cataracts, don’t wait any longer — our ophthalmologists can restore your vision with PanOptix cataract surgery. Request an appointment with the experts at Hill Vision Services today! Our eye care center’s top-notch team of eye surgeons guarantees only the best outcomes for our PanOptix patients and all clients seeking professional eye care.