Is Premium Cataract Surgery Worth It? Understanding Advanced Lens Options

So, one or both of your cataracts are ripe for removal, and you’ve been given the choice of traditional or premium cataract surgery. Medicare and private insurance plans generally cover the cost of the former. But… If you want the most advanced option and intraocular lens (IOL)? Well, you’re likely going to have to cover the additional costs yourself. 

Which brings us to the question: Is the premium option worth it?

To Spend or Not to Spend (on premium cataract surgery)

First up, you need to understand what “premium” actually means. It’s defined by two elements.

1. The surgical procedure.
2. The type of IOL.

The first refers to the method your surgeon uses. Briefly, a traditional procedure involves a more hands-on procedure using both a tiny blade and ultrasound to break up the diseased lens. The premium method is usually referred to as “laser-assisted”. This involves detailed mapping of the eye through a computer program, which then guides a laser to make a very precise incision. This accuracy is essential if one of the more advanced IOLs is to be used. The laser can also be used to reshape the cornea to improve astigmatism, if required.

When it comes to the IOL, a traditional procedure uses a monofocal lens. This is generally formatted to give you focused far vision. You’ll use eyeglasses for close-up work and perhaps to drive. 

Advanced intraocular lenses are where the magic really starts to happen…

Loads of research and design has been, and continues to be, devoted to these. There are many different types, each of which aims to restore your vision to as close to 20:20 as possible at all distances.

Yep, a life without eyeglasses or contacts is potentially possible with the right type of premium lens. The options currently available include:

• Multifocal IOLs: This is an umbrella term for a lens that provides focused vision at different distances. One advanced example is the AcrySof ReSTOR lens that brings natural focus at near, mid, and far distance, with 80% of people never needing to wear eyeglasses or contacts again.
• Accommodative IOLs: These use the muscles of the eye to allow for naturally focused vision at all distances. One particularly good example is the Crystalens. This has some pretty impressive statistics, resulting in up to 98% of people being able to pass driving test standards without spectacles or contact lenses.
• Extended Depth of Focus IOLs: These provide both distance and intermediate focus. While you’ll probably have to wear eyeglasses for close up clarity, they offer a significantly improved experience over standard IOLs. 
• Toric IOLs: These have a dual purpose, both correcting vision and astigmatism. The TECNIS Symfony and Symfony Toric are great examples, with 85% of people not needing glasses or only requiring them on occasion.
• Light-adjusting IOLs: These are the most recent advanced intraocular lenses to hit the scene. They’re the only ones that can have the prescription altered while in the eye. This involves additional visits to your surgeon over the few weeks after the operation, with the last visit being when the prescription is “locked in” and no further changes can be made. They provide focus at both near and far vision and can also correct astigmatism.

The Pros and Cons of Premium IOLs 

Apart from the additional cost, which is obviously a con, it’s important to understand both the benefits and disadvantages.

The pros include:

• The very real potential of never having to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses again.
• They can treat astigmatism.
• They can improve your sporting ability (yes, really!). Sharper vision at all distances is only a good thing when you live an active life.
• They can treat presbyopia, which can be one of the most annoying parts of aging. It’s the gradual stiffening of the lens that means you have difficulty focusing on nearby objects.

But, on the flip side, advanced intraocular lenses:

• Aren’t suitable for everyone, including (potentially) those with conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, strong astigmatism, or certain types of retinal abnormalities. 
• Have more potential for side effects, such as seeing halos around lights or excessive glare.
• May take a little longer for the brain to adapt to. However, most people happily “retrain” their vision over the first few weeks.
• Have a small, but significant, risk of you still needing some kind of corrective lens for clear vision at all distances.

The only way to truly understand whether premium cataract surgery is right for you is to discuss it with your surgeon. At the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic, we delve into your suitability, expectations, and unique eye requirements to determine the best option for you. 

Discover more about how we tailor your choice of IOL to your lifestyle and the choices available at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com