When you have cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, the natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This lens is permanent and determines what you can see clearly without glasses. Choosing the right lens is one of the most important decisions in the process. Small differences in lens selection can have a meaningful impact on your vision.
At Pure Sight Eye Surgeons, Dr Chiu offers the full range of intraocular lenses and can guide you toward the best match for your eyes, lifestyle, and visual goals.
The goal is not just to remove a cataract, but to optimise how you see – and lens choice is central to that outcome.
Monofocal Lenses
Provide clear vision at one distance, usually distance) (patients who are used to being short-sighted may choose to have their vision set for near and continue to wear glasses for distance). Excellent optical clarity with minimal halos/glare. You’ll need reading glasses. This is the standard option
Monovision / Blended Vision
Uses monofocal lenses set to different focal distances in each eye: dominant eye for distance, non-dominant for near. Avoids halos of multifocal lenses. Dr Chiu may recommend a contact lens trial to check tolerance.
Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) Lenses
Provide a continuous range of vision from distance through intermediate (fully extended arms length), with fewer halos and glare than multifocal lenses. Many patients find EDOF lenses cover most daily activities, though reading glasses are often still needed for near work.
EDOF lenses can also be used in a blended vision approach (similar to monovision but typically better tolerated), where each eye is set slightly differently to extend the range of vision. In this setting, reading glasses may only be needed for very fine detail, and sometimes not at all.
Multifocal Lenses
Provide the widest range of vision including near,significantly reducing the need for reading glasses They are associated with halos or glare around lights, particularly at night, although these effects often improve as the brain adapts. Careful patient selection and assessment are essential.
Hybrid lenses
Newer intraocular lens designs combine elements of EDOF and multifocal optics to extend the range of vision while aiming to reduce visual side effects. These evolving technologies, including advanced and artificial intelligence-assisted design to refine visual outcomes, offering a better balance between clarity and range of focus.
Light Adjustable lenses
Light Adjustable Lenses allow the prescription to be fine-tuned after surgery using a specialised light treatment, offering a high level of customisation. These lenses are not currently available in Australia. Dr Chiu is closely involved with industry discussions as this technology is introduced, with the aim of offering it when it becomes available.
Toric Lenses
Correct astigmatism. Available in monofocal, EDOF, and multifocal configurations. If you have significant astigmatism, a toric lens is important to achieve the best uncorrected distance vision.
AddOn Lenses
Supplementary secondary lenses that sit in the sulcus, in front of an intraocular lens. Can provide reversible multifocality (PresbyDuet technique), upgrade vision after previous cataract surgery, correct residual refractive error, or provide magnification for macular disease patients. Removable and exchangeable.
Pinhole Lenses
Use a small aperture design for extended range of focus. A niche option that Dr Chiu may discuss if relevant.
Which Lens Is Right for You?
Choosing the right lens depends on your vision goals, lifestyle, and the unique characteristics of your eyes. Important factors include your visual demands, tolerance for visual side effects (such as halos or glare), eye health (including the ocular surface), your prescription and astigmatism, and how you prioritise distance, intermediate, and near vision.
As one lens is implanted in each eye and designed to last a lifetime, this decision is important. Dr Chiu takes the time to understand what matters most to you and tailors the recommendation to achieve the best balance of clarity, range of vision, and visual comfort. The best lens is the one that suits your life, not just your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are premium lenses covered by Medicare?
Medicare and private health insurance cover a portion of the surgical fee for cataract surgery, but Medicare does not cover the intraocular lens (IOL) itself.
Intraocular lenses are typically included within insured cataract surgery arrangements, provided you have an appropriate level of cover for cataract surgery.
For patients without private health insurance, there will be an out-of-pocket cost for the lens. Premium lenses – including toric, extended depth of focus (EDOF), and multifocal lenses – generally involve a higher fee.
For insured patients, many commonly used lenses are covered, but newer technologies may not be included if they are not listed on the Private Health Insurance (prosthesis) list.
Dr Chiu’s team will provide a clear breakdown of fees during your consultation.
How long do intraocular lenses last?
They’re designed to last a lifetime and don’t wear out. Posterior capsular opacification (cloudiness behind the lens) can develop but is treated with a simple laser procedure.
Why doesn’t everyone get a multifocal lens?
Multifocal lenses are not suitable for everyone. Careful selection is important to achieve good outcomes.
We assess factors such as the health of the ocular surface (including dry eye), the quality of the eye’s optics (including higher-order aberrations), and your visual needs and expectations. Multifocal lenses can also be associated with halos and glare, particularly at night, and not all patients feel comfortable with these effects.
For this reason, lens choice is individualised to ensure the best balance between vision quality, range of focus, and visual comfort.
Why are there out-of-pocket costs for cataract surgery?
Medicare and private health insurance contribute to the cost of cataract surgery, but they do not cover the full cost of providing personalised surgical care.
Out-of-pocket costs reflect factors such as individualised surgical planning, the technology used, and your choice of intraocular lens. Your options and any associated costs will be clearly explained during your consultation so you can make an informed decision.
What are my options for cataract surgery?
There are several ways to approach cataract surgery depending on your clinical needs, preferences, and level of health insurance cover. Lens choice is one of the key factors influencing your visual outcome, regardless of the surgical pathway
For more detail on surgical pathways and what to expect, please see our Cataract Surgery page.