Posted on: 10/11/22

Cataract Surgery

Do you have cataracts? You may be unsure if a premium IOL is right for you. 

One premium IOL you may not know much about is the life-changing Vivity™ IOL. It’s unlike any premium IOL because it’s the first and only extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL. 

The Vivity IOL uses proprietary X-WAVE technology to improve the range of vision for patients and reduce glare and halos that can occur with other premium IOLs. Keep reading to understand how IOLs work and why having the Vivity lens implanted by the best cataract surgeon in Denver may be just what you’re looking for!

Monofocal vs. Multifocal Lenses

For patients that don’t mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery, a standard monofocal IOL is often the best choice. Monofocal IOLs are single-distance lenses that provide patients with corrected vision within a limited range as it is designed for distance viewing. 

With a monofocal lens, objects viewed at intermediate or close range appear blurry. You’ll still need glasses for tasks such as typing on a computer or looking at your cell phone. 

How Do Multifocal Lenses Work?

The typical multifocal lens offers patients sharp vision across a full range of distances. Multifocal IOLs work by splitting the wavefront into different sections. 

These sections create focal points for the lens to switch between, so the eye can focus on an object far away, then adjust and refocus on an object at an intermediate distance. 

Side Effects

Many patients experience unintentional flaws with their multifocal IOLs. They complain about seeing glare, halos, and starbursts. 

These side effects can make driving challenging, especially in rainy and nighttime conditions. This is why some people opt for monofocal intraocular lenses. 

Monofocal IOLs don’t cause glare or halos, but they don’t provide the same continuous sharp vision, so patients have to wear glasses to make up for the distances their IOLs can’t correct.

The Vivity Lens with X-Wave™ Technology

The Vivity lens is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens providing sharp vision at various distances. Patients with the Vivity IOL enjoy high-quality distance and intermediate vision and functional close-up vision. 

The Vivity IOL uses a new, proprietary non-diffractive technology known as X-Wave. This advancement allows the lens to create a continuous, extended range of vision.

How X-Wave Works

The Vivity IOL acts more like a monofocal lens due to its unique X-Wave technology. X-Wave uses two smooth-surface transition elements. 

The first surface is a small, raised plateau that stretches the focal range of the IOL. Extending the focal range allows you to see at multiple distances. 

Below the first surface is a second surface with a slight curvature. This slight curve allows the wavefront to utilize all available light without splitting it. 

The result is a non-diffractive lens that provides clearer vision at multiple distances and fewer side effects caused by diffracted light. For patients, this means clearer, enhanced vision.

Vivity Patient Satisfaction

With a premium IOL like the Vivity lens, you’ll see clearly at both far and intermediate distances and be comfortable viewing objects up close. In a clinical study of Vivity lenses, 87% of patients were less likely to need glasses in bright light focusing at arm’s length. 46% of patients were less likely to need glasses to see up close in bright light.

If your goal is to reclaim your independence and freedom after cataract surgery and do all the things you haven’t been able to do, the Vivity lens will restore that and so much more. It’s the right choice in premium IOLs to change your life for the better. 

Find out if the Vivity IOL is right for you by scheduling a cataract consultation with the best Denver cataract surgeon at Cutarelli Vision!