Premium vs. Standard Lenses: Which Is Right for You?

Multifocal lenses work like progressive glasses, using different zones in the lens to help you see clearly at far, intermediate, and near distances. Your brain learns to use the right zone depending on where you are looking. Most patients see well at all distances, though some notice halos around lights at night, especially while driving. If you spend a lot of time reading or use a computer frequently, multifocal lenses can be especially helpful. Popular multifocal options include PanOptix and similar modern designs.

• Provide clear vision at far, intermediate, and near distances
• Reduce dependence on glasses for most activities
• Some patients notice halos or glare at night, though this often fades with adaptation
• Usually require a brief adaptation period of a few weeks to a few months
• Work best when both eyes are corrected with multifocal lenses
• Trifocal multifocal lenses like PanOptix are designed to provide the highest level of freedom from glasses, with more than 80 percent of patients reporting they never need glasses

Extended depth of focus lenses, such as Alcon Vivity, use advanced optical technology to extend the range of clear vision. Instead of dividing light into multiple zones like multifocal lenses, these lenses optimize the shape of the lens to give you a smoother, wider zone of clear vision. Many patients find that extended depth of focus lenses offer excellent distance and intermediate vision with fewer nighttime side effects than trifocal options. While they improve near vision, they may not provide the same level of close up reading ability as a multifocal lens. If you prefer fewer nighttime side effects while still reducing glasses dependence, extended depth of focus lenses may be an excellent choice, particularly if you drive at night.

• Extend the natural range of vision focus without creating rings or zones
• Generally produce fewer halos and glare than trifocal lenses
• Excellent for distance and intermediate vision
• Often preferred by patients who drive at night
• Adapt well for most daily activities
• Offer a good balance between multiple distances and nighttime clarity
• Also significantly reduce the need for glasses, particularly for distance and computer work, though you may still prefer reading glasses for fine print

The Light Adjustable Lens is a unique premium option that can be fine tuned after your surgery using special light treatments. Unlike other lenses that are set at the time of surgery, this lens allows our ophthalmologists to adjust your vision prescription after your eyes have healed. This personalized approach can help optimize your results for your specific vision needs and lifestyle. The adjustment process takes place over several weeks with quick, painless office visits. The Light Adjustable Lens is approved for patients without macular diseases and patients with preoperative astigmatism.

• Can be adjusted after surgery to personalize your vision
• Offers flexibility to optimize both distance and near vision based on your actual needs
• Provides exceptional clarity once the adjustments are complete
• Requires follow up visits for light treatments over several weeks
• Ideal for patients who want maximum customization and fine tuning
• Approved for patients without macular diseases and those with preoperative astigmatism

If you have astigmatism, an irregularly shaped cornea that blurs vision, a toric lens is used to correct it. Toric technology can be combined with either a standard monofocal lens or a premium multifocal or extended depth of focus lens. A standard toric lens corrects astigmatism to give you clear vision at one focal point. A premium toric lens corrects astigmatism while also providing vision at multiple distances.

• Correct astigmatism at a single focal point or multiple focal distances
• Available in multifocal and extended depth of focus designs for premium options
• Offer clearer, sharper vision overall compared to standard monofocal lenses without toric correction
• Represent an excellent solution for patients with astigmatism who want reduced glasses dependence

Think about how you spend your days. If you read frequently, work on a computer, enjoy hobbies that require clear near vision like crafts or model building, or want to reduce glasses dependence, a premium lens may be appealing. If you drive frequently at night and are sensitive to glare, an extended depth of focus lens might be better than a multifocal. If night driving is your main concern but you also want to reduce glasses use, discuss the options with our ophthalmologists, as extended depth of focus lenses often offer an excellent middle ground.

Premium lenses typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye more than standard lenses. Consider whether the benefit of reduced glasses dependence is worth this investment for your situation. Many patients find it valuable over the years. Others prefer to stick with standard lenses and use reading glasses as needed.

Another strategy is monovision, where our ophthalmologists use standard monofocal lenses but set one eye for clear distance vision and the other for near vision. A similar, more advanced approach is blended vision, where different types of premium lenses may be combined in each eye to customize the range of vision. Our ophthalmologists can help you explore whether monovision might work for you or discuss blended approaches that combine different premium lens technologies for each eye.