Cataract Surgery Lens Options

Great Lakes Eye Care is pleased to offer a range of lens options for your cataract surgery! Each option is designed to help improve your vision and align with your personal goals and lifestyle needs.

BASIC FIXED LENS

  • Standard option with the lowest out-of-pocket expense
  • Most patients will achieve good distance vision and use reading glasses for near work (unless the patient has astigmatism, in which case, their dependency on glasses would remain the same)
  • Patients with mono vision (one eye set for distance, the other for near) can often replicate their setup with a basic lens, provided mono vision was previously successful with contact lenses. (Note: advanced biometry testing may be required at an additional cost.)
  • Fixed Lens: vision cannot be adjusted after surgery without additional surgery or prescription glasses, where fees would be incurred for both
  • Final cost depends on the specific fixed lens chosen (not including deductibles, copays, or advanced testing fees)

Single Focus Lens with Astigmatism Correction ($1500 minimum out-of-pocket expense per eye)

  • Corrects all levels of astigmatism using advanced lens technology and/or limbal relaxing incisions performed during surgery
  • Most patients achieve excellent distance vision without glasses; some may still need a light prescription for the sharpest distance vision
  • Typically provides vision clear enough to meet driver’s license requirements without correction
  • Reading glasses (or glasses for intermediate tasks) are usually still required

Patient Expectations and Exceptions:

  • Most patients choose to target distance vision in both eyes, with the expectation of needing over-the-counter readers or prescription glasses for reading.
  • Exception 1: Near-sighted patients. If someone values being able to read in bed without glasses, they may instead choose to target near vision (typically around -2.00 to -3.50, depending on their starting point). In this case, glasses would be required for distance activities.
  • Exception 2: Long-term, successful monovision contact lens wearers. These patients may continue with monovision using this lens option. However, it is not recommended to attempt monovision in patients who have not previously succeeded with monovision contact lenses, since risks outweigh the benefits and secondary surgery would be required if it doesn’t work.
  • Fixed Lens: vision cannot be adjusted after surgery without additional surgery or prescription glasses, where fees would be incurred for both

Advanced Testing (included at no extra cost):
For this option, detailed preoperative measurements are required. At Great Lakes Eye Care, we use our proprietary “Cooke Formula”, which enhances standard formulas to provide the most accurate lens power prediction possible. This state-of-the-art testing helps us tailor your intraocular lens (IOL) choice to your eye’s unique dimensions and visual needs!

CUSTOM VISION OPTION: LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENS (LAL/LAL+) ($3900 MINIMUM OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE PER EYE)

  • The only lens that can be adjusted after surgery to customize your vision
  • Allows patients to “test drive” different vision settings before finalizing their results
  • Can correct moderate astigmatism
  • Offers the potential for custom-blended vision across multiple zones (distance, intermediate, near)
  • Most patients will initially be set for distance vision in both eyes and use reading glasses until adjustments are made

Special Note for Mono Vision Patients:
For patients who are long-time, successful monovision contact lens wearers, the Light Adjustable Lens is the best option, since it is both customizable and reversible during the adjustment phase.

Adjustment Process:

  • Begins about 1 month after your second surgery
  • Takes approximately 2.5 months (sometimes longer, especially if you’ve had LASIK or PRK in the past)
  • Requires wearing special UV-blocking glasses outdoors until 24 hours after the final “lock-in” treatment

Advanced Testing (included at no extra cost):
As with our astigmatism package, advanced testing with the Cooke Formula is used to ensure the most precise visual outcome.


What To Expect:
No matter which lens you choose, cataract surgery can dramatically improve your vision and reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts. Our team will work with you to match your lens choice to your lifestyle and visual goals.

Important Disclaimer:

Lens choice is a personal decision based on your goals, cost, and any other eye conditions you may have.

  • Insurance typically covers only a standard (monofocal) lens.

  • Advanced technology lenses require an additional out-of-pocket investment, due before surgery.