IOL Choices
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: With a multifocal IOL am I guaranteed to be free of glasses?

A: No. However, over 80% of patients with multifocal IOLs say they never need glasses and over 90% will only occasionally need them. Because surgical results can vary, consider how comfortable you are with these uncertainties.



Q: Does the Multifocal IOL require an adjustment period?

A: Yes. For most people there is a period of weeks when your brain is learning to "see" up close and at a distance with the new lens. A person may adjust better to multifocal lenses if they are placed in both eyes. Also, with all multifocal lenses, some people report halos or glare around lights. For most people this diminishes over time, but may never completely goes away.



Q: Does my insurance cover my IOL?

A: Medicare, and virtually all health insurance plans cover cataract surgery. Traditional monofocal IOL implants are fully covered as well, since insurers view these implants as medically necessary. But multifocal and toric IOLs are not currently covered (even if the procedure itself is), because they cost more and because their special features tend to be viewed by insurers as "nice to have" but not absolutely necessary. Medicare will reimburse the surgical facility for the cost of a traditional IOL, and the patient will be responsible for the difference.