Last updated: January 12th, 2024
Intraocular Lens Implant Options in Milwaukee
At Summit Eye Care, our goal is to help each patient achieve his or her best possible vision. For patients who wish to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery or through refractive lens exchange (RLE), we are pleased to offer a wide range of advanced intraocular lenses (IOLs).
What is an Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL)?
An intraocular lens implant (IOL) is a synthetic replacement for the natural lens of the eye, which is located behind the iris and pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina to produce clear images. When the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy due to cataracts, the solution is to replace it with an IOL. IOLs may also be used to correct refractive errors in people who don’t have cataracts, in a procedure known as refractive lens exchange.1
Standard IOL vs Advanced IOL
Standard (or monofocal) IOLs are used most frequently to replace lenses during cataract surgery. These lenses fall under insurance coverage for cataract treatment. A standard IOL is able to reverse the effect of cataracts and provide clear distance vision, but most patients will still need corrective eyewear after surgery for reading or to treat astigmatism.
If you would like to reduce your dependence on eyewear after surgery, our team at Summit Eye Care also offers a range of advanced IOLs designed to help patients achieve their best vision possible. Advanced IOLs are considered by insurance providers to be elective upgrades to cataract surgery, which means that patients who choose these lenses will typically incur some out-of-pocket expenses. Still, many of our patients feel that the added cost of advanced IOLs is well worthwhile because they make it possible to greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.
Types of IOLs
Standard/Monofocal IOL
Depending on the patient’s preference, standard or monofocal IOLs can correct near or distance vision, but not both at once. Standard IOLs are covered by insurance for cataract treatment. Most patients who choose monofocal IOLs for cataract treatment opt to improve their distance vision, but may still need glasses or contacts for near or intermediate vision or to correct astigmatism.
IOLs to Correct Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the eye is shaped more like a football than spherically like a baseball. This uneven curve creates blurriness at all ranges of vision. At Summit Eye, we offer a variety of advanced toric IOLs that are designed to correct astigmatism, helping patients achieve clearer vision at a range of distances.
IOLs to Correct Presbyopia
If you are around the age of 40 to 50 and have noticed a gradual decline in your near vision, you likely have a condition called presbyopia.2 Presbyopia is a common and often progressive condition caused by reduced elasticity in the lens of the eye that occurs as a natural part of the aging process, resulting in the need for reading glasses, progressive lenses or bifocals to read fine print.
We offer a number of presbyopia-correcting IOL options, including:
- Multifocal IOLs
- Extended-Depth-of-Focus IOLs
- PanOptix® Trifocal IOL
- Light Adjustable IOL
In many cases, patients who undergo cataract or RLE surgery with presbyopia-correcting IOLs are able to see so clearly at all distances that they no longer require corrective lenses.
IC-8® Apthera™ IOL
The IC-8 Apthera IOL is the first extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens for monovision. This revolutionary IOL has a smaller aperture to filter out peripheral defocused light. This means that only focused light reaches the retina, allowing patients with presbyopia to enjoy excellent distance vision and clear near and intermediate vision.
Light Adjustable IOLs
Summit Eye Care is proud to be the first and only practice in Wisconsin to offer the Light Adjustable Lens™ from RXSightⓇ, which gives our patients access to fully customizable lens surgery.
Light Adjustable Lenses are made from a special photoreactive material, and are implanted in the same way as other forms of IOLs. Once a patient’s eye has healed from the surgery, Dr. Vukich is able to use a light delivery device to fine-tune the fit and shape of their Light Adjustable IOL. Over the course of a few subsequent visits, Dr. Vukich continues to make minute adjustments to the IOL until the patient achieves the most precise, accurate surgical vision correction possible.3
Learn why the Light Adjustable Lens is the most common premium lens we use, and the most requested by our patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Which IOL is right for you?
The best way to determine which type of IOL is right for you is to undergo an examination and consultation with an eye doctor you trust. Dr. John Vukich is an internationally-respected vision care expert who specializes in cataract surgery. With extensive experience correcting refractive errors using all types of intraocular lens options for Milwaukee-area residents, Dr. Vukich and the team at Summit Eye Care are uniquely qualified to help you make the right eye care decision for your unique situation and goals. To learn more about how advanced lens implants may help you achieve your best vision possible, we invite you to contact us today to schedule your consultation at our practice in Wauwatosa.
I am very thankful that I was able to practice with Dr. Bruns. He is intelligent, compassionate, and loved by his patients. He is up-to-date on the latest technology so that he can provide the best care possible. With his dedication to patient care it is not surprising that staff voted him doctor of the year. Not only is he providing top-quality patient care, but he is approachable and kind. I’d recommend him to anyone.
– Casey Coulter, OD
1 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Intraocular Implants (IOLs). Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/iols-intraocular-lens. Accessed April 17, 2020.
2 Mayo Clinic. Presbyopia. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328. Accessed April 17, 2020.
3 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/new-iol-adjustable-after-cataract-surgery?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8NHr27nw6AIVSx-tBh0pRg6kEAMYASAAEgIzE_D_BwE. Accessed April 17, 2020.