Advanced Cataract Surgery

This is where cataract surgery becomes genuinely exciting. Once the cataract is removed, the lens that takes its place will shape how you see for the rest of your life, and you have more options than ever before. To make the choice clear, it helps to think in three groups: the standard lens, lenses that correct astigmatism, and lenses that reduce your need for glasses. Dr. Mudgil, who has performed more than 20,000 procedures for patients across Chester and Delaware Counties, will walk you through them candidly and help you choose the result that fits your eyes and your life.

1. The standard: monofocal lens

A monofocal lens gives clear, dependable vision at one distance, usually far, with reading glasses for up close. It is covered by Medicare and most insurance and remains an excellent, proven choice. Its strength is simple: crisp, reliable vision at the distance you choose, with the fewest nighttime visual effects of any lens.

2. Correcting astigmatism: the toric lens and femtosecond laser

Astigmatism is an irregular curve of the eye that blurs vision at every distance, so a standard lens alone cannot give an astigmatic eye its sharpest result. Correcting it gives an astigmatic eye much sharper distance vision than a standard lens alone can deliver. You will still use reading glasses for near, but what you see at distance will be sharp instead of blurry.

• TECNIS Toric lens: builds the astigmatism correction directly into the implant, ideal for moderate to higher astigmatism. Its strength is sharp distance vision that often reduces or eliminates the need for distance glasses, in eyes a standard lens would leave blurry.
• Femtosecond laser: for smaller amounts of astigmatism, Dr. Mudgil can use the femtosecond laser to make precise corneal adjustments and fine-tune your result. Its strength is gentle precision for lower astigmatism.

3. Reducing your dependence on glasses: multifocal and extended-vision lenses

If your goal is to live with fewer glasses, these premium lenses focus at more than one distance. They come in two families, each with a different strength.

Trifocal lenses, for the fullest range of vision:

• PanOptix: a trifocal that delivers near, intermediate, and distance vision, the most freedom from glasses of any lens. Its strength is doing it all, from reading a book to driving, though some halos around lights are possible at night.
• TECNIS Odyssey: a next-generation trifocal with the same full near-to-far range and a smooth transition between distances. Its strength is broad glasses-free vision with refined, high-contrast image quality.

Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses, for crisp vision with fewer night effects:

• Vivity: an EDOF lens giving excellent distance and intermediate (computer and dashboard) vision with minimal halos and glare. Its strength is clean nighttime vision, a favorite for people who drive a lot after dark. Readers are usually still needed for fine print.
• TECNIS PureSee: an EDOF lens with a smooth, continuous range from distance through intermediate and a natural feel, with few nighttime visual effects. Its strength is a seamless, comfortable range with high-quality vision.

Any of these can be combined with astigmatism correction, and Dr. Mudgil may use the femtosecond laser to fine-tune your result when it helps.

The Light Adjustable Lens (RxSight): vision tailored to you

The Light Adjustable Lens is the only lens that can be fine-tuned after surgery. Using gentle light treatments in the office, you and Dr. Mudgil preview and adjust your vision until it is exactly right, then lock it in. Its strength is precision and personalization, and it is especially valuable if you have had LASIK before or have an eye that is harder to predict.

ORA System: precision during surgery

For added accuracy, Dr. Mudgil can use the ORA System during surgery to measure your eye in real time and fine-tune your lens while you are still in the operating room. It is an extra layer of precision that matters most for eyes with prior LASIK or other vision-correction surgery.

Treating glaucoma during the same surgery

If you also have glaucoma, your cataract surgery can do double duty. Dr. Mudgil can place a tiny iStent implant during the same procedure, through the same incision and with no added recovery, to lower your eye pressure and reduce or even eliminate your daily glaucoma drops. It is one of the most worthwhile ways to make the most of your surgery. Learn more on our glaucoma page.

Summarizing your options

In short, your choice comes down to a few clear paths:

• Basic monofocal: dependable single-distance vision, covered by insurance.
• Toric or presbyopia-correcting options: correct astigmatism, or reduce your need for glasses across more distances.
• Light Adjustable Lens with ORA precision: the most personalized, finely tuned result.

Here is how they compare at a glance: