Are you looking to have private cataract surgery and want to know more about our range of advanced lenses? We explain the types of special lenses.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is where the lens of your eye, which helps to focus images onto the back of the eye, grows cloudy. This affects our sight and limits our ability to carry out daily activities. A cataract can form as part of the natural aging process or if you’ve had an injury, a health condition like diabetes or eye inflammation. It can also result from certain medications.
Cataract removal surgery
At Benenden Hospital we carry out thousands of cataract operations each year* in our clean, infection-free Eye Unit.
During surgery, the cloudy, natural lens is removed and replaced by a permanent, artificial lens (implant). After this procedure, a patient’s vision should be clearer and brighter. You can choose which new lens you’d like to have implanted. We give patients the choice of a monofocal lens, or several types of special lens.
*Private Healthcare Information Network, 2024
What are the types of special lenses?
Monofocal toric lens
If you have significant astigmatism (where your eye isn’t completely round but is shaped more like a rugby ball, which can distort the image you see) then a Toric lens may be suitable for you. A Monofocal Toric Lens is designed to correct your astigmatism and reduce your need for glasses for far distance vision, so that you may only need reading (near vision) glasses.
Multifocal lens
This lens is designed to enable to you focus on objects in the far distance, at intermediate distance (approx. 60 cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer) and at near (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book). This should mean that your need for glasses should be reduced significantly, and you may not need them at all.
Multifocal toric lens
This lens combines the advantages of the Multifocal and Toric Lens. It is designed to correct both your astigmatism and your focus for far distance, intermediate distance and near vision, so that your vision should be improved and your need for glasses should be reduced or eliminated.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens
This lens is designed to give you a better range of focus (when compared to a standard monofocal lens) from the far distance to intermediate distance vision (approx. 60cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer). Although it is not designed to give you near vision (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book), and you should expect to use reading (near vision) glasses for this, many patients do find that they can read larger print at near without reading glasses, when they have EDOF lenses implanted.
Toric extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens
This lens combines the advantages of the EDOF and Toric Lens. It is designed to correct both your astigmatism and your focus for far distance and intermediate distance (approx. 60 cm e.g. a car dashboard or a computer), so that your vision should be improved and your need for glasses should be reduced. Although it is not designed to give you near vision (approx. 30cm e.g. reading a book), and you should expect to use reading (near vision) glasses for this, many patients do find that they can read larger print at near without reading glasses, when they have Toric EDOF Lenses implanted.
Our expert Ophthalmic Consultants now use Callisto Eye®, our new ultra-modern microscope to achieve perfect alignment of your toric lenses. This technology allows for faster and more accurate treatment due to less manual functions and reduces the risk of focusing errors and residual astigmatism.
Who is suitable for special lenses?
The following factors affect your decision:
- Do you wish to minimise your use of glasses?
- What sort of hobbies do you participate in?
- What is your financial situation?
- What options does your surgeon recommend?
Your consultant will work with you to make the best possible decision for your eye health.
How do I prepare for the surgery?
Before cataract surgery and having the special lens implanted, we recommend patients buy micropore tape, sunglasses and lint-free pads (similar to those used to remove make up). On the day of your operation, you can eat and drink normally, and take your usual medications. We would ask that you don't wear any eye make-up.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do after the first week of surgery?
After your surgery, it’s important that you don’t:
- Rub or knock your eye
- Drive (After one week, you may resume driving if you can see with both eyes together a car number plate at the legal distance as documented in the DVLA Highway Code)
- Bend to pick up/carry any heavy objects
- Immerse your face in water
- Wear makeup in the four weeks post-surgery
Less than 5% of patients who have a special lens implant may need further adjustment following the operation? This is carried out as a simple outpatient procedure with a local anaesthetic.
Book your cataract surgery consultation
Start your journey to clearer vision. Book your initial consultation online or by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.
Published on 08 April 2025