Cataract surgery patients who will probably not benefit from multifocal intraocular lenses

1. Patients who drive a lot at night or who rely on night driving for work

This is because there is a higher incidence of halo side effects with multifocal lenses. Night time lighting conditions such as night time driving are worsening these effects.

2. Patients who have other eye conditions other than cataract

Patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration or diabetic maculopathy will have some limits to their visual improvement following routine cataract surgery. This depends on how severe these conditions are. Multifocal intraocular lenses work best in patients who do not have any other eye conditions.

3. Patients who have only one good working eye

I operate on many patients who only have one good working eye. The reason is that their other eye is weak due to a lazy eye from birth (amblyopia). It is also possible that they have suffered another eye condition which makes one eye poor sighted. Multifocal intraocular lenses work best if the surgeon implants them in both eyes. The brain adapts better to the multifocal intraocular lens technology than if implanted in only one eye.

4. Patients who have jobs, which require a high level of precision at a fixed distance such as a pilot or a watchmaker

This is because multifocal lenses do not always offer precise vision at all distances.

5. Patients who have high prescriptions before their cataract surgery are generally more satisfied with a monofocal lens fixed for distance

This is because the length of the eyeball affects the retina. It can limit the use of multifocal intraocular lenses due to the optical nature of the lens design.

6. Patients who have a high level of astigmatism do better with a toric monofocal intraocular lens

Multifocal intraocular lenses do not correct the irregular curvature of the front of the eye (cornea) to 100%. These patients tend to do better with a toric intraocular lens.

7. Patients who are older than 75 do not generally benefit from multifocal intraocular lenses.

This is because they are less adaptable to multifocal intraocular lens technology. They are also happier continuing to wear glasses as they have done in the past for many years.

If you would like private cataract surgery and are considering multifocal intraocular lenses, then please feel free to contact me on 020 3733 7910. I would be more than happy to discuss your specific needs.