Are you a patient that is approaching the time to have cataract surgery. If so you may have heard about lens implant choices that you can get during surgery. These lens implants are referred to in many ways such as premium lens implants, advanced technology implants and lifestyle lens implants. We understand this might be confusing, but the main point here is that scheduling a consultation with your cataract surgeon to discuss this can have a big impact on how you see for the remainder of your life.
Who is a candidate for a premium lifestyle lens?
Lifestyle lens candidates include individuals with cataracts that impair vision, as well as patients over age 50 who desire a full range of vision in each eye without corrective lenses. Patients with health problems, such as diabetes or a chronic infection, should wait until those conditions are under control before scheduling this procedure. You are not a candidate for a premium lifestyle lens if you have already undergone a cataract correction procedure. Your surgeon will perform a careful examination before making any recommendation. At that time, your eyes will be measured to determine the correct lens power for your lifestyle lens.
I have had LASIK vision correction. Am I still a candidate for a lifestyle lens?
As long as your eye is healthy, you can have a lifestyle lens implanted, even if you have already had a refractive procedure like LASIK.
What does the cataract surgery and the lens implant procedure involve?
A premium lifestyle lens is implanted on an outpatient basis in less than 20 minutes. The eye is numbed with eye drops, and medications are given for relaxation. Your surgeon removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with the new lens. You will feel only slight pressure. After the procedure, your surgeon administers drops to control inflammation and prevent infection. The very small incision requires no stitches and heals quickly.
Which lens is right for me?
For cataract patients, the choice is between a traditional lens plus glasses for near vision or the greater visual freedom offered by a lifestyle lens. Patients without cataracts can choose bifocals or the chance to recapture a full range of vision without corrective lenses. Before advising you, your surgeon will consider the health of your eyes, check your retina health, consider your lifestyle, and the demands of your occupation and hobbies. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Ask yourself, “What would my life be like without glasses?”
Is there an additional cost for a premium lifestyle lens?
Yes. Because lifestyle lenses are an upgrade from the standard mono-focal replacement lenses usually used in cataract procedures, they are considered elective. The implantation of a premium lifestyle lens requires additional pre-operative testing to measure for lens accuracy. These tests are not covered by Medicare or most health insurance plans.
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