Monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs)  

Monofocal IOLs are intraocular lenses that provide a fixed focus for one distance. These lenses are included in the package cost of cataract surgery and carry no extra cost.  

Monofocal lenses for monovison  

It is very useful functionally to be able to see clearly at a range of distances after surgery, and surgeons using monofocal lenses can aim for a spread of focus between the two eyes, so that the two eyes, working together, have a greater depth of focus. This strategy is called monovision. Typically, for patients with good vision in both eyes, the aim will be to focus one eye in the distance and the other at arms length. This helps to minimise spectacle dependence for most activities. Typically this technique works best in patients who have had previous experience of monovision with contact lenses.   Monovision lenses carry no additional cost to the package.

Extended depth of field (EDOF) and toric lenses

EDOF lenses allow an increased depth of field compared to monofocal lenses. They do not allow reading vision at 30-40cm, but will give you good distance vision and intermediate vision at arms length (so ideal for computer vision or reading music from a music stand). These lenses cost between £300-1000 depending on the size and type.

Toric IOLs  

Most patients have some astigmatism pre-operatively. Mild astigmatism is not an issue. In patients with higher levels (above 1 dioptre), if the astigmatism is not corrected then the patient more likely to need to wear glasses after cataract surgery to see clearly. Thankfully astigmatism correcting IOLs exist to correct astigmatism and to improve the vision without spectacles. Both monofocal and EDOF IOLs come in toric and non-toric forms. Toric lenses cost between £300-1000 depending on the size and type.