Intraocular Lenses
Cataract surgery

Intraocular Lens Options in Austin

Intraocular lense options

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are soft, foldable lenses that are inserted into the eye in order to replace the natural aging lens. These lenses are viable options for patients who have presbyopia and/or cataracts and want to optimize their vision. Cataract surgery and Premium Lens Replacement are identical procedures. Premium Lens Replacement corrects vision when the  natural lens is still mostly clear. Cataract surgery corrects vision when the natural lens become cloudy.

IOLs are available with optics that provide patients with a wide range of visual clarity and focusing capability. Our goal is to give you the best overall quality of postoperative vision with the lens that is best suited for your visual needs.

Made of plastic or silicone materials, IOLs come with basic monofocal, astigmatism-correcting, multifocal, or extended depth of field optics.

Basic monofocal IOLs provide clear vision with the use of eyeglasses. Most individuals with basic lens implants will need bifocals and/or reading glasses to see optimally far and near.  We use basic monofocal IOLs with our basic cataract surgery package.

Astigmatism-correcting lens implants or laser cataract surgery can be used for patients to reduce or eliminate their astigmatism.  Astigmatism-correction surgery will enable you to see clearly far away without glasses. Most patients with astigmatism-correction will achieve clear vision far away and be able to drive safely without glasses.  Patients who choose the astigmatism-correction package will need reading glasses to see the computer and to read up-close.

Lastly, premium multifocal and extended depth of field IOLs are designed to provide the widest range of vision with minimal, if any, need for glasses or contact lenses to see clearly far or near.

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)

The light adjustable lens from RxSight is the first and only intraocular lens whose focus can be adjusted after it has been placed into the eye. When the LAL is adjusted after surgery, the performance of the lens can be adjusted, customized and optimized for each individuals’ visual needs.

The light adjustable lens is made of a special photosensitive material that can be adjusted by your eye doctor in the weeks following lens implantation through a series of non-invasive light treatments that take only a few minutes each. You will have the unique ability to test drive your vision until it meets your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior vision outcomes that fixed IOLs cannot match.

The LAL may be the preferred lens for individuals who:

  1. Want clear vision at all distances with minimal to no reliance on glasses
  2. Want to avoid a night time halo effect
  3. Are willing and able to return for 3 to 5 additional follow-up visits that may extend for 2-3 months after surgery
  4. Want the ability to test drive their new vision then adjust the focus of one or both eyes to optimize the way they see after the light adjustable lens has been initially placed into your eye(s)
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the advantages of the LAL over other premium lens implants?
    1. Clear vision at all distances – far/mid/near – with minimal use of glasses AND minimal to no nighttime halo
    2. Adjustability of the lens and your vision using a non-surgical light treatment after you have received the lens
    3. The ability to test drive your vision and customize your vision after you have received the lens using a non-surgical light treatment
  2. The LAL works best when used in both eyes.
    1. Usually the dominant eye is set to see far and mid-range clearly
    2. Usually the non-dominant eye is set to see slightly less clear far away but clearly at mid-range and up-close (near)
  3. What should I expect the first month after surgery to one eye using the LAL?
    1. Your far vision will be the clearest area of vision
    2. If you have significant astigmatism before receiving the LAL, your vision may be blurred from the astigmatism at all distances
    3. You should wear Rx Sight approved UV blocking glasses whenever you are outside until the LAL adjustments are complete and “locked-in.”
    4. Your postoperative visits will take place at one day and 3-4 weeks after you receive the LAL
    5. 3-4 weeks after receiving the LAL, your eye will have stabilized and healed which allows us to adjust the focus of the LAL using the light delivery device (LDD) in our office
    6. After the first LDD treatment, you will notice improved clarity in the eye with the LAL.  We will then recheck you one week later.
    7. The LAL can receive up to three (3) LDD treatments to adjust and fine-tune your vision.  After each LDD treatment, you will have the opportunity to test-drive your vision and determine if you like the visual outcome.
    8. Once you are satisfied with the visual outcome after the LDD treatments to the LAL, then we will need to apply two (2) “lock-in” LDD treatments to make the visual correction permanent.
    9. 24 hours after the final lock-in treatment, you no longer need to wear the Rx Sight approved UV-blocking glasses outside.
  4. How soon should I have the 2nd eye surgery to receive the LAL?
    1. The choice is yours.  Your options are to have the LAL in the 2nd eye:
      • On the same day as the 1st eye
      • 1-2 days or 1 week after the 1st eye
      • More than one week after the 1st eye
  5. What is the final goal with the LAL in both eyes?
    1. Excellent vision far/mid and near with minimal to no use of glasses and with excellent night vision and minimal to no halos around lights at night.
  6. Requirements for success with the Light adjustable lens:
    1. Wear Rx Sight approved UV blocking glasses outside during daytime hours until the final lock-in treatment
    2. Avoid tanning beds until the final lock-in treatment
  7. For more information about the Light Adjustable Lens, please click here: Light Adjustable Lens information.
Dr. Shannon Wong's Symfony Lens Experience
Over 45 and considering LASIK, Lens replacement or Cataract surgery? All you need to know.

The lens that is right for you will depend on your ocular health, your occupational needs and your lifestyle.

It is important that you consider your options thoroughly as you only have lens replacement or cataract surgery one time in your life and the decision you make will affect how you see for the rest of your life.

*Fees cover: surgeon’s fee, operating room/surgical center fee, anesthesia fees, and additional refractive surgical procedures (Eg YAG capsulotomy, LASIK, intraocular lens exchange not including the light adjustable lens) for one year after the original surgical date

 

*Fees cover: surgeon’s fee, operating room/surgical center fee, anesthesia fees, and additional refractive surgical procedures (Eg YAG capsulotomy, LASIK, intraocular lens exchange not including the light adjustable lens) for one year after the original surgical date

Light Adjustable Lens by RxSight video

Intraocular lenses

Your Premium Lens Replacement or Cataract Treatment Options

Most patients having premium lens replacement (PLR) have two lens options – A premium multifocal or extended depth of focus lens implant that will correct and optimize your vision without glasses at all distances or the astigmatism-correction package to see clearly far away (Eg Driving vision without glasses).  Patients choosing the astigmatism-correction option will use glasses to see mid-range (computer) and near (reading a document).

Because it is not possible to guarantee 100% independence from glasses with any surgical procedure, we advise our PLR patients that “you may still wear some glasses, some of the time, for some activities.”

Intraocular Lens Insurance Considerations

Fortunately, Medicare and most insurance carriers consider cataract surgery, for a visually significant cataract, a medically covered procedure. They do not, however, consider reducing your dependence on glasses to improve your vision as a “medical necessity,” and therefore will not cover the cost associated with any of the intraocular lenses or procedures that are used to reduce your dependence on glasses.

If you have cataracts deemed medically or visually significant, Austin Eye will file your cataract surgery to your medical insurance. You will be financially responsible for any elective portion of the procedure as well as any copayments, deductibles or coinsurance dictated by your medical insurance. At Austin Eye, we provide affordable financing and monthly payment options to suit your budget and to make seeing clearly affordable.

How Premium Lens Replacement and Premium Cataract Surgery Work

Premium Lens Replacement (PLR) and Premium Cataract Surgery (PCS) with a premium lens implant is the latest and best ophthalmic technology used to achieve your personal best vision at all distances without glasses. Premium Lens Replacement or Cataract Surgery patients are able to see well far and near with minimal use of glasses.

This option includes:

  • A premium technology intraocular lens to provide the greatest range of clear vision for long-distance tasks such as driving, watching TV or outdoor activities AND near vision tasks such as reading or computer work without glasses, in most instances
  • Treatment of any astigmatism with the femtosecond laser or a diamond keratome
  • Enhancement procedures at a reduced cost after surgery to fine-tune your vision for one year after the initial surgical procedure if deemed necessary by your surgeon
  • Advanced diagnostic testing before surgery to image the retina and optic nerve

Premium Lens Replacement with Astigmatism-correction and Premium Cataract Surgery with Astigmatism-correction

Premium Lens Replacement with Astigmatism-Correction and Premium Cataract Surgery with Astigmatism-correction uses the best technology to achieve your personal best vision to see clearly far away without glasses. Patients are able to watch TV and drive without glasses. Glasses will need to be used for mid-range and near tasks such as computer and reading.

This option includes:

  • Treatment of any astigmatism with the diamond keratome combined with an aspheric lens implant or an astigmatism-correcting implant to optimize vision for long-distance tasks such as driving, watching TV or outdoor activities. Reading glasses are required.
  • Enhancement procedures at a reduced cost after surgery to fine-tune your vision for one year after the initial surgical procedure if deemed necessary by your surgeon
  • Advanced diagnostic testing before surgery to image the retina and optic nerve

How Basic Cataract Surgery Works

Basic Cataract Surgery (BCS) will improve your vision at all distances with the use of glasses. Patients will wear glasses full-time to correct any residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism following cataract surgery.

This option includes:

  • Manual cataract surgery performed at our outpatient surgery center
  • A monofocal, aspheric lens implant which will improve your vision with the use of glasses at all ranges

PCS with PLR Procedure Details

Premium Lens Replacement (PLR) and Premium Cataract Surgery (PCS) are performed in our own, dedicated and fully-certified ambulatory surgery center. You will be in our office for approximately 2 hours, although the surgical procedure itself only takes between fifteen to twenty minutes.

Our surgeons use the best and latest innovations in cataract surgery, such as state-of-the-art surgical instrumentation, topical eye-drop anesthesia (no shots, IV or anesthesiologist), suture-free incisions, and foldable intraocular lenses.

Treating Your Astigmatism

Astigmatism is present when the cornea, or front window of the eye, is curved into an oval rather than spherical shape. A spherical cornea allows your eye to see images crisp, clear and sharp.  A cornea with astigmatism will cause blurred or shadowed images at all distances. Many people have astigmatism. You may have astigmatism and not even know it. It can occur along with nearsightedness and farsightedness and, if present, will blur your vision at all distances.

When the lens or cataract is removed, if you have any remaining astigmatism, you will experience blurred vision that will require you to wear glasses full-time to see clearly at all distances. You may opt to have your astigmatism corrected during your cataract or lens replacement procedure to reduce your dependence on glasses.

Both of our premium lens replacement or premium cataract surgery packages involve the use of a diamond-keratome and/or astigmatism-correcting lens implants to help reduce or eliminate your astigmatism so you see more clearly without glasses.

Premium Cataract Surgery Recovery

Premium lens replacement and cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure.  Typically patients are able to see improvement in their vision almost immediately.  Complete visual recovery varies from patient to patient, but most patients return to their normal daily activities within a day or two.

Our eye care team at Austin Eye strives to provide you with the best possible patient experience, highest level of care and visual outcomes possible.  We are always available to answer any questions you may have or to provide you with additional information regarding the risks associated with your surgery.  We appreciate your trust and confidence in choosing Austin Eye!

Supporting
Our Community

The Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute

The Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute

The Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, recently created at the Dell Medical School, is poised to become a leading-edge center for training future ophthalmologists and providing patients with the best medical and surgical eye care possible.

Contact Austin Eye Today

Austin Eye

11901 Jollyville Road
Austin, TX 78759

Phone: (512) 250-2020
Fax: (512) 250-2612

Office Hours
Monday – Thursday 8am – 6pm
Friday 8am – Noon
Saturday/Sunday Closed

Austin Eye

2700 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746

Phone: (512) 250-2020
Fax: (512) 250-2612
Click here to “FLY-through” our Westlake Office

Office Hours
Monday – Thursday 8am – 6pm
Friday 8am – Noon
Saturday/Sunday Closed

CLICK HERE to "FLY-through" our new Austin Eye location.