Refractive cataract surgery: correcting your vision while treating cataract
Cataract surgery is also an opportunity to correct your vision at the same time. By choosing a "premium" lens implant, dependence on glasses after surgery can be reduced — or even eliminated. This is the principle behind so-called refractive cataract surgery.
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What does it involve?
During cataract surgery, the clouded crystalline lens is replaced with a lens implant. The choice of implant makes it possible, beyond restoring transparency, to correct the underlying visual defect (short-sightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia). This is known as "refractive" cataract surgery, since the goal is also to reduce reliance on glasses.
Which premium lens implants?
- Toric implant — corrects astigmatism.
- Multifocal implant — provides several focal distances (far and near vision).
- Extended depth-of-focus implant (EDOF) — aims for continuous vision from far to intermediate distances, with few nighttime visual effects.
The choice depends on your eye, your visual priorities and your lifestyle.
Who is it for?
For anyone undergoing cataract surgery who wishes to reduce their dependence on glasses. Premium lens implants are not suitable for every eye: whether they are indicated is decided after a complete examination (health of the cornea and macula, pupil size, expectations).
Good to know
Premium lens implants may involve an out-of-pocket cost, separate from the standard coverage of cataract surgery itself; this point is discussed openly during the consultation. For a full description of the procedure, see the cataract surgery page.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference from "standard" cataract surgery?
The surgery itself is the same; what changes is the choice of implant. A premium implant aims, in addition to treating the cataract, to correct your vision so as to reduce reliance on glasses.
Will I be completely free of glasses?
The goal is to greatly reduce dependence on glasses; the outcome depends on the implant chosen and on your eye. No result can be guaranteed in advance.
Are these implants suitable for everyone?
No. Certain eye conditions favour one implant over another. The preoperative examination helps determine the right choice.
Before you decide
All questions →About to have cataract surgery?
Let's discuss which lens implant best suits your visual expectations.
Book an appointmentThis page is for general information purposes and does not replace a medical consultation. The indication and technique are always individualized after a complete assessment. Pr Eric E. Gabison — corneal and refractive surgery, Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris.