Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic.
Many patients considering multifocal lenses before cataract surgery have several concerns.
“Will glare be severe?”
“I found multifocal glasses uncomfortable. Does that mean an implanted lens will not suit me either?”
“Does a higher price mean a better lens?”
These are some of the questions we hear most often.
To begin with, multifocal lenses are not necessary or suitable for everyone.
They are designed to provide a wider range of vision, from near to far. However, depending on the condition of your eyes and your lifestyle, a different type of intraocular lens may be more appropriate.
Rather than choosing a lens based on its price or popularity, it is important to determine which option best suits your eyes.
If Multifocal Glasses Were Uncomfortable, Will Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Also Be Uncomfortable?
This is a common misconception.
Multifocal glasses use different prescription zones depending on where you look. Because of this, it may take time to adjust when shifting your gaze.
Some people may also experience visual distortion or feel that objects appear different in size.
However, multifocal intraocular lenses implanted inside the eye do not work in exactly the same way as multifocal glasses.
Finding multifocal glasses uncomfortable does not necessarily mean that multifocal intraocular lenses will also be unsuitable for you.
Instead of making a decision based only on your previous experience with glasses, it is important to undergo an examination and assess your current eye condition and desired range of vision.
Glare and Halos Should Be Carefully Considered
Two of the most common concerns about multifocal lenses are nighttime glare and halos around lights.
Due to their optical design, which provides vision at multiple distances, some patients may experience glare or halos.
If you drive frequently at night or are highly sensitive to minor visual changes, these characteristics should be carefully considered before choosing a lens.
| Factor to Consider | Why It Matters |
| Near-vision use | Frequency of smartphone use and reading |
| Night driving | Possibility of glare and halos |
| Visual sensitivity | May affect adaptation |
| Desired range of vision | Identifies the distances used most often |
| Eye condition | Requires a detailed preoperative examination |
Rather than comparing only product names or prices, it is important to consider whether the characteristics of each lens match your lifestyle.
Multifocal Lenses May Be Considered If You Frequently Use Near Vision
One of the main features of multifocal lenses is that they are designed to provide a broad range of vision, including near, intermediate, and distance vision.
They may be considered by patients who frequently use smartphones or read books and would like to reduce their dependence on glasses for near tasks after cataract surgery.
✓ People who frequently use smartphones
✓ People who regularly read or work with documents
✓ People who want to reduce their dependence on glasses after surgery
✓ People who frequently use both near and distance vision
On the other hand, a different type of lens may be more appropriate for those who rarely perform near-vision tasks, place a high priority on nighttime vision, or are particularly sensitive to visual disturbances.
Age Alone Does Not Determine the Right Lens
“Are multifocal lenses suitable for people in their 60s but unsuitable for those in their 70s?”
Age alone is not enough to determine whether a multifocal lens is appropriate.
Even among people of the same age, some may frequently use smartphones or read books, while others may drive often or spend more time outdoors and place greater importance on distance vision.
When choosing a multifocal lens, factors such as occupation, reading habits, smartphone use, and driving frequency should be considered alongside age.
It is also helpful to discuss how clearly you would like to see at different distances without glasses after cataract surgery.
A More Expensive Lens Is Not Always a Better Lens
When researching cataract surgery, it is easy to assume that a more expensive lens must be the better choice.
However, the most important question is whether the lens is suitable for your eyes.
Although multifocal lenses offer clear advantages, those benefits do not apply equally to everyone.
Depending on your eye condition and daily habits, a monofocal lens or another type of intraocular lens may be more appropriate.
Choosing a lens that suits your eyes and lifestyle should come before selecting one based on price.
Why Is a Detailed Examination Important Before Surgery?
The condition of the cornea and retina, as well as the degree of astigmatism, varies from person to person.
Before choosing a multifocal lens, it is necessary to examine the structure and overall health of the eyes while also considering which viewing distances are used most often in daily life.
Detailed examination → Assessment of eye health → Review of lifestyle → Identification of desired vision → Selection of an intraocular lens
Daily habits, such as frequent night driving, smartphone use, or reading, may also influence the choice of lens.
Rather than selecting a specific product first and then planning surgery around it, it is important to choose an appropriate option based on the examination results.
Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does everyone experience glare after receiving multifocal lenses?
A. No. Glare and halos are not experienced to the same degree by every patient.
However, these symptoms may occur because of the optical characteristics of multifocal lenses. Patients who frequently drive at night or are highly sensitive to visual changes should discuss these factors thoroughly before surgery.
Q. Which lens should I choose?
A. No single lens is suitable for everyone.
The choice should be made after considering your current eye condition, the distances you use most often, your occupation, and whether you drive regularly.
Multifocal lenses may be considered for patients who want a broader range of vision, from near to far.
However, there is no need to choose them solely because others have had positive experiences. Likewise, concerns about glare should not automatically lead you to rule them out.
If you are planning cataract surgery, it is important to have your eyes carefully examined and discuss which distances you use most often and what kind of vision you expect after surgery.
Ultimately, the priority is not finding the most expensive or widely recommended product. It is choosing a lens that suits your eye condition and lifestyle.
Thank you.
