Cataract Treatment

Cataract treatment with Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) is a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve your vision and your quality of life. 

Two people doing yoga on the beach
Jump to:

Are You Ready to See Better?

After you’ve consulted with your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery, you will need to make several important decisions about treatment.

Having an understanding about the procedure, as well as the types of lens replacement options available, will help you make an informed decision. Depending on any type of common eye conditions you may have, there are different lenses available to address these issues.
Preparation & Treatment Options

Don't Let Cataracts to Limit Your Life

What's important to you when it comes to your vision?
Woman hugging older woman looking at the computer
When it comes to lens replacement, there are many options available. Some lenses can help you drive at night with more confidence, while others help you see better at a distance. Whichever you and your doctor choose, there are options to suit your individual vision needs.

Monofocal Lenses

Monofocal lenses provide excellent distance vision even in low light, like when you are driving at night.1 With a monofocal, you will likely need glasses for near vision. Ask your doctor about Monofocal Plus IOL.

Lady in a pink shirt on a hike

Monofocal Plus

Monofocal Plus is a lens that provides distance image quality vision and enhanced image contrast even in low light.1 You may still need glasses to see objects that are close to you like your cell phone.2  

Monofocal Plus Toric provides the ability to clearly see images at a distance while allowing you to simultaneously address astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. 

Benefits of Monofocal Plus IOLs

Distance image quality

Designed to help you see objects in the distance like traffic lights, sporting events, and stage performances.2

Enhanced image contrast

May increase safety in low-light situations such as driving at night.1

See images clearly

Designed for high quality distance to make everyday tasks easier.1

Advanced Lenses

Advanced lenses deliver near, intermediate, and distance vision to allow you to see clearly where you focus your vision most. It can also provide crisp, clear vision in all lighting conditions. In most cases, an advanced lens will reduce the need for glasses. Ask your doctor about advanced lenses like Continuous Range of Vision IOL and
 Extended Depth of Focus IOL.

Two older men holding hands on a walk

Continuous Range of Vision IOL

Provides a full range of vision—near, intermediate, and far—so you can have freedom to perform different activities throughout the day and night.3-4

You also have the opportunity to address your astigmatism as a part of cataract surgery with the Continuous Range of Vision Toric IOL lens implant.

Benefits of Continuous Range of Vision

Opportunity for glasses-free life

93% of patients who received Continuous Range of Vision IOL are no longer wearing glasses after cataract surgery.5#

Time of Day Freedom

Perform different activities throughout the day and night4

Do more of what you love

Provides the full range of continuous vision*, from up close to far away.3

* To 20/32 or better.

Two Asian people stretching outside

Extended Depth of Focus Lens IOL

Vision at every distance, even in low light.6Extended Depth of Focus IOL provides an extended range of continuous vision, which means you will have the ability to see from near to far away, day and night.6,7 With this lens implant, you can see clearly whether you are having dinner with a friend or playing pickle ball on a sunny day.7

You can also address your astigmatism as a part of cataract surgery with the
Extended Depth of Focus TORIC IOL lens implant.6 

Benefits of Extended Depth of Focus IOL

Extended range, near to far

Provides a continuous range of high quality vision, both day and night.7,8

Freedom to live your life

Offers the best contrast and low light vision among advanced PC-IOLs+, so you can see clearly in dim or low light.7,9,10

Laser Assisted vs.
Manual Procedure

You have two important decisions to make when it comes to your cataract surgery: how your new lens is implanted and what type of lens is implanted.

For how the surgery is performed, your doctor can either access your cataract manually or with laser assisted surgery. Manual surgery is planned with measurements of your eye and incisions are made with a blade. Laser assisted surgery delivers a personalized, precise, and gentle approach in which a laser scans your eye to create a unique 3D blueprint and incisions are made with a laser.

Cataract surgery is usually quick (about 15 minutes) and typically done as an outpatient procedure. If you feel any discomfort or pain during cataract surgery, be sure to let your doctor know. You'll be given a local anesthetic in the form of drops to numb your eye, and will be fully awake the whole time.

Ask your doctor about the Laser Cataract Surgery that uses 3D imaging and automatic eye surface mapping to generate precise and accurate laser incisions.13

Treating Astigmatism

Lens treatment options are also available as a toric solution, to address astigmatism at the time of cataract treatment. The right lens can do more than address cataracts; your doctor will help you choose a lens designed to meet your unique visual conditions and lifestyle. Toric lenses may also help you improve astigmatism after cataract surgery.

Procedure

Cataract Surgery Procedure

During the procedure, you’ll be awake and will be administered local anesthetic eye drops so you’re comfortable during the procedure. Regardless of the type of cataract surgery, there are three simple steps:

1

Access your natural lens. During this step, your ophthalmologist makes a tiny incision in your cornea and capsule of your eye lens to access your natural lens. In manual surgery, your doctor makes this incision using a handheld device. In laser assisted surgery, this is performed using a pre-programmed laser which creates a precise opening in the cornea.

2

Removal of cataracts. During this step, your doctor will remove the cataract. In manual cataract surgery, your doctor prepares your clouded lens using a handheld tool and suctions the cataract out to remove it. In laser assisted surgery, the laser gently softens your affected lens and precisely cuts it down into small pieces that are suctioned from your eye.

3

Lens replacement. In the last step, your new lens will be implanted into your eye to provide you with clear, cataract free vision. Your doctor inserts a soft, rolled up lens that gently and slowly opens.

The Day of Your Surgery

Cataract surgery may be performed in an outpatient surgery center or in a hospital. It's common for your ophthalmologist to ask you not to eat any solid food for at least 6 hours before the procedure. The surgery takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition.

Post-Treatment

Post-Treatment Recovery

Once surgery is complete, the staff will escort you to the recovery room where they will help you prepare to go home. Your doctor may place a protective eye shield or an eye patch to cover your eye. Arrange for a family member or caregiver to take you home after your surgery.

After your cataract surgery, you can usually resume your low impact routine activities, with the exception of driving, after 24 hours.++

Ask your doctor when you can continue with your routine activities such as golfing, gardening, driving, traveling, or reading.

++individual results may vary

Treatment Results

Cataract surgery can successfully restore vision in the majority of people who have the surgery. After surgery, you can expect to:

See things clearer

Cataract treatment provides the opportunity to correct eye conditions like presbyopia and astigmatism.

Less glare when looking at bright lights

Routine cataract surgery can improve visual acuity, or sharpness of vision.

Improved color distinction

Cataract treatment corrects this so patients can better tell the difference between colors.

Dry Eye Treatment
Alleviates Symptoms

It’s been shown that Dry Eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) can cause unsatisfactory vision and affect the overall results of cataract surgery.11 Dry eye symptoms caused by MGD tend to worsen with surgical procedures if they are not treated.

The good news is that the Meibomian Gland Treatment can help optimize the ocular surface by stabilizing the tear film prior to surgery.12 
 In fact, in a recent study, patients treated with Meibomian Gland Treatment had a twofold reduction in dry eye symptoms 3 months after surgery.12

Grey haired Black lady wearing a white tank top

Resources

Understand more about cataract surgery and how
 Intraocular Lens(IOL) replacement lenses can improve your vision.

References:

1. TECNIS Eyhance with TECNIS SIMPLICITY Delivery System, Model DIB00 DFU Z311491E Rev. A May 2020.

2. Data on File, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. 2021. DOF2021CT4006. 

3. TECNIS Synergy Toric II Optiblue IOL TECNIS SIMPLICITY Delivery System, Model DFW DFU Z311562E May 2021

4. DOF2019OTH4002 - Weeber H. MTF of the TECNIS Synergy OptiBlue IOL, and other lens models. 27 Mar 2019. 

5. DOF2020CT4015 - Forte 1: A Comparative Clinical Evaluation of a New TECNIS® Presbyopia Correcting Intraocular Lens Against a PanOptix® Intraocular Lens- SPECTACLE WEAR AND SATISFACTION RESULTS.

6. TECNIS Symfony DFU. Z311359E

7. Data on file. DOF2020OCT4013 Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc. Santa Ana, CA.

8. Data on file. DOF2020OTH4011 Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc. Santa Ana, Calif. 

9. Data on file. DOF2015CT0020 Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc. Santa Ana, Calif.

10. Starr CE, Gupta PK, Farid M, et al. An algorithm for the preoperative diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface disorders. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 May;45(5): 669-684. 

11. Data on file, 2018 (NCT01808560). Pilot study for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) prior to cataract surgery. Accessed from https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT1808560.12. O'Meara, Madeleine C, et al. "Laser Capsulotomy." Textbook of Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (ReLACS). Ed. RR. Krueger et al. Springer, New York: Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2013. 79-99, Print.

#. Spectacles independence is a secondary benefit of the lens. Some patients may still require glasses after the procedure

2024PP10192

Clear Vision For You
Not actual patients or healthcare professionals. For illustrative purposes only.

Unless otherwise specified, all product names appearing in this Internet site are trademarks owned by or licensed to Johnson & Johnson Vision, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

No use of any Johnson & Johnson Vision trademark, trade name, or trade dress in this site may be made without the prior written authorization of Johnson & Johnson Vision, except to identify the product or services of the company. Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This website and the information contained herein is intended for use by NZ residents only.

© Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2024