Until recently, Cataract surgery was performed through a big incision during which the natural lens that was removed was not replaced by anything. The patient had to wear very thick eye glasses, on average, 13 degrees.

In the 80s Intraocular lenses replaced the eye’s natural lens. Nowadays, just a few patients need to wear eyeglasses. Most of them use diffractive lenses providing for near, intermediate and distance vision.

There are several types and models of IOL lenses. The latest lenses are called PREMIUM Intraocular lenses:

They are divided into:

Asferic Monofocal lenses: provide far-sighted vision with the usage of glasses after the surgery.

Diffractive lenses: provide farsightedness and nearsightedness (in 90% of the cases the patient would not need to wear glasses or will be less dependent on them).

Toric lenses: they correct up to 5.00 degrees of corneal preoperative astigmatism.

Patients are becoming more involved in choosing IOLs. They can sometimes choose between monofocal and diffractive lenses. The doctors at the Dr. Rogerio Horta Eye Institute will take into consideration pre-operative exams when choosing IOLs lenses to attend to each patient’s visual needs.

Today, the aspheric monofocal and diffractive intraocular lenses are the most modern.

What is an aspheric lens?

Almost all corneas have positive aberrations. A young person’s eye has a naturally occurring curved lens that offsets the corneal aberrations, hence providing a healthy vision. However, as we age, the eye’s natural lens modifies and fails to offset the corneal aberration, decreasing our vision and contrast sensitivity as well.

With the onset of aspheric lenses, the eye’s youthful optic condition is restored and the vision is much better in comparison to spherical intraocular lenses.
Recent data proved that aspheric lenses provide better sensitivity to contrast, improving the ability to see and consequently enhancing the quality of life.

However, not all patients have the option to choose between a monofocal and a diffractive lens. The Doctors at Dr. Rogério Horta Eye Institute will be able to recommend the appropriate lens for each patient based on the individual’s eye characteristics determined by pre-operative tests.