A Symphony lens is a multifocal lens that allows a person to see at a distance with closer objects being out of focus.
Cataract surgery mostly uses symphony lenses since it has features that improve both the range and quality of vision.
Multifocal lenses use diffractive technology to give simultaneous vision by splitting light into multiple distinct foci. The symphony lens merges technologies to achieve these goals. The proprietary chelate design elongates the focus of the eye in order to give the extended vision.
The new findings suggest symphony is more advantageous over older IOLs. In July 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of symphony lenses. The symphony lens is a multifocal lens that provides clear visions at all distances.
The benefit of symphony lens provides our Philadelphia, PA, patients with an intraocular lens that stands out from others on the markets and offers superior vision results. There are several advantages of symphony lens which include;
PROS:
1. Clear vision at all distances: symphony lens is a multifocal lens that corrects both near and distance vision. Most multifocal lenses have breaks that make transitions between various distances a little rough. Individuals with healthy eyes will benefit from clear, dependable vision at all distances.
2. Reduced glares and halos: Halos and glares are significantly reduced in multifocal IOLs. The symphony lens is designed to provide a smooth transition from day to night vision, with minimal visual abnormalities. After recovering from cataract surgery, patients with symphony lens report little to no halos or glares.
3. Less dependence on prescription lenses: When a person receives a traditional IOL it treats distant vision. The patient can wear glasses for reading and other up-close tasks. However, this is uncommon for those with multifocal IOL to reach for reading glasses. Patients who receive the symphony lens typically do not depend on reading glasses to perform closer tasks thus little need for prescription lenses.
4. Can live a healthy and active lifestyle: Once you recover from cataract surgery, you will be able to live an active and healthy life. Your full range of vision will be restored making it easy to read, drive, and do other activities.
5. High patient satisfaction: Patients with visual problems can gain their sight by using symphony lenses. It provides a clear vision to longer distances making them feel satisfied.
6. Seamless day-to-night vision: Patients with poor night sight benefit from symphony lenses. It provides clear night and day vision to longer distances.
7. Reduces the need for intermediate and distance spectacles: Traditional mono-focal IOLs are designed to restore far or distances vision. Symphony lenses provide quality vision at multiple distances hence it eliminates the need for glasses.
8. No maintenance required: They provide lasting results since these lenses are planted in the eye. Symphony lenses don’t need any maintenance or replacement when scratched.
9. Saves money: Unlike glasses that are replaced every now and then, symphony lenses save money. Once paid for and implanted, you don’t incur any extra cost of replacement.
10. Provides multiple distinct foci: Multifocal lenses use different technologies to give simultaneous vision by splitting light into multiple distinct foci.
CONS:
**1. Blurry vision: **Multifocal lenses makes it difficult to see up close. It gives blurry vision when one is reading books.
2. Contrast after cataract surgery: After cataract surgery, the symphony lens makes reading in dim light difficult. Reading using symphony lenses in dim light may result in another difficult vision problem.
3. Existence of glare and halos to some patience: Small number of patients who receive multifocal lenses experience glares and Halos around lights after dark. This makes driving at night difficult.
4. Expensive to acquire: Multifocal lenses are more expensive than monofocal lenses and glasses. This makes it difficult for patients with low income to acquire them.
**5. Uneasy to replace: **Symphony lenses are implanted to last for longer periods after cataract surgery. Once destroyed, it is not easy to replace them.
6. High risk during cataract surgery: Operating an eye is a risky operation. During surgery, a slight mistake by surgeons may lead to patients losing sight permanently.
7. View number of cataract surgeons: Cataract surgeon experts are few and not evenly distributed across the world. Patients in developing and third world countries face challenges in accessing the services of cataract surgery and implantation of symphony lenses.
8. May increase complications: Symphony lens may not be adaptable to some of the patients and may increase complications of visions and the sight of the affected patients.
9. Longer initial examination: It takes longer to examine before the patient undergoes cataract surgery. The patient may have vision problems before the implant takes place.
10. Require regular office visits for follow-up: Regular visit to experts for a check-up is a waste of time and also a waste of money for costs like transportation to required offices.