Duringcataract surgery, the natural lens is removed and a clear lens is inserted in its place.

Most patients chose to have their implants focused for distance.

Reading glasses or bifocals were then required for intermediate and near focusing.

lense surgery

Patrice Latron / Getty Images

These lenses are called presbyopia-correcting IOLs.

Traditional monofocal implants, however, are usually covered by insurance and Medicare.

As a result, most surgeons charge a fee or an upcharge to traditional cataract surgery.

This fee ranges from about $1,200 to $3,500.

Technology in presbyopia-correcting IOLs is changing rapidly.

The ciliary body is a part of our normal near point focusing mechanism that we use throughout our lives.

This muscle contracts each time we attempt to focus on something at a close range.

These IOLs have small hinges that allow for this movement to create clear near, intermediate and distance vision.

However, they may not deliver enough near focusing power for some patients.

Because of this, it takes a little longer for people to adapt to them.

Therefore, the brain must adapt to this new way of focusing.

However, they work surprisingly well.

To find out which lens is best for you, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

Medicare.gov.Is my test, item, or service covered?

Bausch & Lomb,Crystalens HD received FDA approval.

Liang YL, Jia SB.Clinical tool of accommodating intraocular lens.Int J Ophthalmol.

2018;11(6):1028-1037. doi:10.18240/ijo.2018.06.22