How to select the Best Lens Implant for Premium Lens Replacement or Cataract surgery in 2023.

If you are considering basic or premium cataract surgery or premium lens replacement, the lens implant (intraocular lens or IOL) that you choose will affect how you see the world every waking moment for the rest of your life. We discuss the light adjustable lens, panoptix, Symfony, IC8, Vivity, envista Toric/astigmatism-correcting lens and LI61AO basic monofocal lenses.

0:45. How we was our patient through the process of selecting the best lens implant to meet their visual goals
1:45. Two groups of patients that receive lens implants: 1) the 45-65 year old that is looking to have elective lens replacement aka premium lens replacement and 2) the 65+ year old that is looking to have basic or premium cataract surgery
2:45. The two most important variables that will affect your final visual outcome: 1) the surgeon you choose and 2) the lens implant that you choose
3:30. Basic lens implants for basic cataract surgery
4:25. Astigmatism-correcting lens implants or Toric lens implants to see clearly far away without glasses
5:12. Premium lens implants aka presbyopia correcting lens implants (or lifestyle lenses) - Symfony lens, Vivity lens, IC8 lens, Panoptix lens, light-adjustable lens.
6:20. Why do we use lens implants to correct vision? How do cataracts form? What is presbyopia?
7:15. The five premium lenses that we use in 2023.
7:28. The most commonly used premium lens that we use in 2023 - the panoptix lens
8:20. Panoptix lens satisfaction rate and side effects (halo effect around lights at night)
9:00. If you don't like the halo effect with the panoptix lens, then what to do? Mixing different lens implants - the Vivity and panoptix lens combination.
10:13. You want a lens that gives full-range of focus far/mid and near and do not want a halo at night - the light adjustable lens. How does the light adjustable lens work? Strengths and weaknesses of the light adjustable lens. UV blocking glasses with the light adjustable lens. The light delivery device. Follow-up visits after receiving the light adjustable lens.
13:12. Blended vision with the light adjustable lens (compared with mono vision)
14:42. What lens do we choose for patients with prior radial keratotomy (RK) surgery? The Symfony optiblue lens.
15:48. When do we use the IC8 lens (pinhole lens implant - Apthera lens)?
16:18. Lens implant menu and comparison chart
16:45. Synopsis/conclusion

Thank you for watching!
I have no financial interest in the lens implant companies or the products discussed in this video. My financial interest is that I want the best care for our patients that we see at our private practice - Austin Eye in Austin, TX. I am the CEO and medical director of Austin Eye.

[deedemerson]

This presentation is broken down plainly and methodically so that it can be clearly understood by anyone. Excellently done. !!

[artbaer]

Outstanding presentation. Trying to determine which lens is best is pretty hard because I am concerned that my vision will not be perfect following this surgery. Having worn glasses for approx. 60 years, the thought of not having to wear glasses is pretty impressive, but I am very particular about my vision. I am concerned that after surgery I will not be happy with the results. It is hard for this old fart to make this life-time decisions.

[jakdalton]

Thank you so much! I so wish all this was explained to me BEFORE surgery. Real 'eye' opener for me. You're the best Dr. Wong!

[odneycharles]

Excellent presentation Dr Wong. This is the clearest and best presentation so far on choices for cataract surgery. The graph works well and should be a pamphlet distributed to all ophthalmic patients 45y/o and over. The reason is that after all the tests they will be better equipped to choose one lens Vs. the others. A typical 15 min visit with the ophthalmologist is simply not enough time for anyone to fully understand all of it unless they are already in the medical field and have done some prior readings.

[ChadChristian]

I am 50 years old and was tired of contacts and glasses. Got this surgery 5 months ago - Panoptix Toric - I am now 20/20 for near, middle, and far vision. Best decision I have ever made!!! I had -7.0 contacts before surgery. Now I don’t need any glasses. FREEDOM! I do have some haloing but I can drive at night etc with zero issues.

[zenabubawah]

Informative and educational. I like the honesty about replaced/surgical lens being perfect.

[Airpaycheck]

I went with far vision lenses. I regret that decision. I didn’t realize all the simple things I need cheaters for now. Looking at my watch, trimming fingernails, reading the tv remote. I thought I could deal with reading glasses but it’s a bigger pain than I thought. At 65 I need my near vision more than far. I would suggest to folks considering far vision to get a strong pair of readers prior to surgery and wear them around for a week to simulate not having near vision to see what it’s like. Prior to surgery, my near vision was pretty good. I should’ve stuck with that. I had a cataract in my left eye and had my right eye done the same to match it (OCD issues). Now my right eye has focus issues (ghosting, things are not sharp any more). I think it’s a defective lens. Should’ve left that side alone. I don’t want to scare folks away from replacing lenses, but I think they need to take some extra time to look at side effects and other issues.

[sharmahw]

I had Panoptix in left and Synergy IOL in right eye 18 months ago. I liked the near vision, laser sharp and distance pretty damn good. Biggest headache was night driving...BIG halos, starbursts etc. went back and got Panoptix replaced with second Synergy because I want to be 100% glasses free that I am. I can go swimming and love that. Night driving hasn't changed. Got the Catalys laser with Ora etc. I have made peace with night driving... I wish there was a simulation before gettting that stuff in your eyes...

[mikeske]

I am 66 years old and I just went through the procedures for cataracts. In my case I was not a candidate for a premium lens as I had extreme far sighted ness with a slight astigmatism in the left eye. In consultation with my surgeon we both agreed that the standard lens replacement would be best for the cataracts I had. I figured I still require glasses but post operatively but I am absolutely blown away on well the standard lens are. Going from a +6.00 and +3 in the bifocal for the right eye and +6.25 and +3.00 for the left eye to no distance correction and a +2.25 for reading in the right eye and a +.25 and +2.25 for reading is just absolutely amazing. I have always wondered what it would be like to be able to go without glasses as I worn glasses since I was 3- 4 years old and now glasses are needed except for reading. I am still getting a pair of glasses as it will still be more of the just easier to have but really I don't need them doing the majority of my hobbies and yard work. In my case it was just that is all I wanted was some improvement and it was more than I ever expected. For the other folks premium lens replacement might be a consideration for them. Just be aware even the standard lens in a person that has cataracts can also be a live changer.

[canefan]

17:40 Thank you so much! Have been looking for an explanation of differences between the current lense replacements. My surgery is scheduled for March 5 and due to my having RK surgery and scarring, I’ll be having the IC-8 Apthera’s implanted.

[KatWrangler]

I will be having cataract surgery in both eyes.

[RodeoCowgirl-]

I have cataracts. Saw the doctor....this is crazy to have 3 plans. Your decision which plan you choose. Plan 1 perfect vision, no glasses need. Plan 2, you will need reading glasses....Plan 3 you will have to wear glasses far and near....plan 1 cost $5, 000, plan cost 2 $3, 000...insurance won't cover plan 1 or 2....I can't afford them as insurance will cover plan 3 so I have to choose plan 3....It is crazy to have 3 plans as it should be just one like one size fits all. Three plans are crazy... I am having surgeries next month. I will have to wear glasses as I can't afford plan 1 or 2. 😢

[tomsinger]

I do lots of night driving in a rural setting, so not having excessive glare and auras was a priority for me. I had the surgery to install my Vivity lens just last week, and therefore I still haven't reached the final optical results.
However, despite this, my near vision is surprisingly good as I'm able to read my cell phone without glasses. My mid-vision is very sharp, and my distance vision is progressing daily.
Since the improvements continue as my eyes heal, and as my brain learns to interpret the new data it receives I think that the relatively rapid improvement in the near and mid vision is simply because I spent more of my time indoors either reading or interacting with the internal environment. My brain is therefore quickly adapting to that data just because it is using it more.
Every time I'm outside using my distance vision to walk or drive my brain can begin to adapt to the new input vs my natural lens. The more I'm doing that, the more I notice day-to-day improvement.
I've been wearing glasses for over 30 years and so far - so good

[sharonatl]

I have been watching videos from various Drs and Dr Wing has done the best job of all I’ve seen so far, he is easy to understand and speaks at a good pacd, some speak to fast .. I wish I lived in Texas so I could go to him

[BarakTheWonderer]

Perhaps you can do a video about placing a premium lens in one eye. And what one can expect, which is what I understand you had done to you. How is your near vision now with one eye done, and both eyes open? Also, I would like to know why you left one eye untreated as opposed to doing both eyes for your Presbyopia? Lastly if one traveled (by air) to your practice to do this from out of town, how long would they need to stay in your area, before flying out. Thank you for your educational videos.

[jdmcrna]

That is the best presentation I've ever seen. Thank you so much for the information.

[joystone]

I very much appreciated the indepth information about the various lens (the pros & cons). I am told I will need lens replacement, likely next year. When I asked if I need to start doing research on the available lens, I was told ‘no, the surgeon will take care of that decision’. As a retired IM physician myself, I appreciate that there ARE surgeons willing to educate me and assist me in making decisions about my implants. Thank you so much! And the testimonial from the retired physician was an excellent recommendation about your kindness as well as skill in correcting problems.

[vsquare]

This is the best video I’ve watched. Thank you for such a thorough explanation from top to bottom. I am about to have c-surgery and now know what questions to ask. Awesome, doctor!!!

[sighoa]

excellent presentatio, if you have vision only in one eye, what will be the recomendation?
thanks!

[mochibright]

My Dr never explained it. Now I’m farsighted after cataract surgery. I miss reading a book