Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a tiny, lightweight, clear acrylic disk placed in the eye during cataract surgery. An IOL replaces the focusing power of the eye's natural lens.

The lens of the eye plays an important role in focusing images on the retina. If the lens loses its clarity, as it does when a cataract develops, light rays do not focus clearly and the image one sees is blurry. Glasses or contact lenses cannot sharpen vision if a cataract is present.

The only treatment for a cataract is to remove the lens and implant an IOL. Intraocular lenses have many advantages. Unlike contact lenses, which must be removed, cleaned, and reinserted, the IOL remains in the eye after surgery.  Soft, foldable lenses can be inserted through a small incision which shortens recovery time following surgery.

Rapid evolution of  IOL designs, materials, and implant techniques have made them a safe and practical way to restore normal vision after cataract surgery.

At West Boca Eye Center there are many IOL options available to customize your cataract surgery experience to your particular needs and desires.  Cataract surgery in the past simply meant removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a standard IOL -usually requiring the need for glasses after surgery.  Nowadays, you have a choice as to how you’d like to see after surgery.  With advances in preoperative measurement technology, newer surgical techniques, and new lens technology you may be able to reduce your dependency on glasses or eliminate them all together. Our most popular multifocal lens option is the ReStor IOL by Alcon. Ask Dr. Bellotte and Dr. Habash which option they would recommend for you.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. West Boca Eye Center. Brent Bellotte MD. Ranya Habash MD.