Over 18 million people choose to restore their vision and undergo cataract surgery every year.1 Cataract surgery is a straightforward outpatient procedure that removes the clouded natural lens in your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
Multifocal IOL vs. Monofocal IOL: What You Need To Know
When selecting a lens, there are two general types of lenses to choose from: multifocal or monofocal lenses. Both will treat your cataract and reestablish your vision, but there are a few key differences.
A multifocal IOL is designed to correct both cataracts and presbyopia. Presbyopia is a common age-related condition. Beginning around the age of 40, the natural lens inside the eye begins to harden and becomes less flexible. This reduces the eye’s ability to switch focus from near to far to in between and back again, resulting in vision loss and, in most cases, the need for reading glasses or bifocals.
A multifocal lens has several different focus regions that are designed to allow you to see clearly up close, far away and in between, and, in most cases, will eliminate your need for glasses. After surgery, you may experience an adjustment period during which you may see rings around lights at night. This is normal, and as the eye adjusts to the lens over time, the visual impression of these rings typically lessens or goes away.
In contrast, a monofocal lens has only one focus region. It allows you to see objects far away, but you will continue to need glasses for reading and other up-close activities.
Over 18 million people choose to restore their vision and undergo cataract surgery every year.1 Cataract surgery is a straightforward outpatient procedure that removes the clouded natural lens in your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
Multifocal IOL vs. Monofocal IOL: What You Need To Know
When selecting a lens, there are two general types of lenses to choose from: multifocal or monofocal lenses. Both will treat your cataract and reestablish your vision, but there are a few key differences.
A multifocal IOL is designed to correct both cataracts and presbyopia. Presbyopia is a common age-related condition. Beginning around the age of 40, the natural lens inside the eye begins to harden and becomes less flexible. This reduces the eye’s ability to switch focus from near to far to in between and back again, resulting in vision loss and, in most cases, the need for reading glasses or bifocals.
A multifocal lens has several different focus regions that are designed to allow you to see clearly up close, far away and in between, and, in most cases, will eliminate your need for glasses. After surgery, you may experience an adjustment period during which you may see rings around lights at night. This is normal, and as the eye adjusts to the lens over time, the visual impression of these rings typically lessens or goes away.
In contrast, a monofocal lens has only one focus region. It allows you to see objects far away, but you will continue to need glasses for reading and other up-close activities.
Over 18 million people choose to restore their vision and undergo cataract surgery every year.1 Cataract surgery is a straightforward outpatient procedure that removes the clouded natural lens in your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
Multifocal IOL vs. Monofocal IOL: What You Need To Know
When selecting a lens, there are two general types of lenses to choose from: multifocal or monofocal lenses. Both will treat your cataract and reestablish your vision, but there are a few key differences.
A multifocal IOL is designed to correct both cataracts and presbyopia. Presbyopia is a common age-related condition. Beginning around the age of 40, the natural lens inside the eye begins to harden and becomes less flexible. This reduces the eye’s ability to switch focus from near to far to in between and back again, resulting in vision loss and, in most cases, the need for reading glasses or bifocals.
A multifocal lens has several different focus regions that are designed to allow you to see clearly up close, far away and in between, and, in most cases, will eliminate your need for glasses. After surgery, you may experience an adjustment period during which you may see rings around lights at night. This is normal, and as the eye adjusts to the lens over time, the visual impression of these rings typically lessens or goes away.
In contrast, a monofocal lens has only one focus region. It allows you to see objects far away, but you will continue to need glasses for reading and other up-close activities.
manhattan - queens
Jonathan N. Kruh, M.D.
Affiliations
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New York University
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New York Eye & Ear Infirmary
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Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital
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Lenox Hill Hospital
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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
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Flushing Hospital
Jonathan N. Kruh, M.D., specializes in routine and complicated cataract surgery, Laser Vision Correction (LASIK/LASEK/PRK), corneal transplantation as well as endothelial transplantation. He is a native New Yorker who enjoys serving the population in his home town.
Education & Training
Dr. Kruh graduated cum laude from NYU with a B.A. in Biology, following which he pursued his medical degree at New York Medical College. Dr. Kruh completed an internship in General Medicine at Long Island Jewish Hospital and a residency in ophthalmology at New York Medical College-JHMC. Having an interest in complex pathology, he was accepted as a Fellow in Uveitis & Ocular Immunology at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution. During this training Dr. Kruh specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular inflammatory disease. An additional fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Boston Eye Group has allowed him to further enhance his surgical capabilities.
Dr. Kruh offers specialty treatment and care of LASIK, cataract surgery, refractive complications, advanced corneal disease, uveitis, and ocular inflammation. At Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Dr. Kruh serves as Clinical Director of the Eye Clinic, where he is committed to teaching and to training residents and evaluating their surgical skills. He considers it an honor to be a physician and educator, and he welcomes all consultations whether they be routine or complex.
Office Location
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83-05 Grand Avenue
Elmhurst, NY 11373
Tel 718.429.0300
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25 5th Avenue, Suite 1B
NY, NY 10003
Tel 212.777.7270
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36 W44th Street, Suite 1203
NY, NY, 10036
Tel 212.777.7270
New York Times Magazine
"Rising Star in Ophthalmology" 2015, 2016, 2017
"Super Doctor" 2020
Member, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology