Can You Read With Monofocal Lens?

Have TV subtitles started to blur lately? Or do you have to squint your eyes to read traffic signs while driving? If these situations sound familiar, you’ve probably met the guest called Cataract. Simply put, it’s when the clear lens inside your eye fogs up over time, creating the feeling of looking through a dirty window. Fortunately, cataract surgery is now a really simple procedure that can fix this, and the results are amazing. But we know that the first and most practical question that comes to our patients’ minds after deciding to undergo surgery is: what then? In other words, can you read with monofocal lens? Will I be able to pick up my book and read like I used to after the surgery? In this article, as Kudret Eye İstanbul, we will answer this most crucial question with all our sincerity, without skipping any details. Let’s clarify this single-focus lens issue.

Understanding Monofocal IOL: One Focus, One Clear Mission

First, let’s simplify the word “monofocal”. “Mono” means single, and “focal” means focus. In other words, a single-focus lens. This lens has one job: to give you razor-sharp vision at a distance we specify, usually far away. During cataract surgery, we remove your clouded natural lens and replace it with this shiny, new lens. After the surgery, you suddenly realize that you can see the details of buildings across the street and the leaves of trees in the distance more clearly than you have in years. This is one of the happiest moments for our patients. Because these lenses really do work wonders in correcting distance vision.

So if they make distance look so good, what about reading? This is where the trick comes in. Since these lenses have a single focus, when we adjust them to show distant objects clearly, close-up tasks like your phone screen, a magazine, or threading a needle will naturally be out of focus. Remember, this is not a fault or shortcoming of the lens, but a part of its conscious design. So yes, if you have surgery with a monofocal lens, you will most likely need a pair of cute, stylish reading glasses for your close-up tasks. Since most of our patients have been using reading glasses for years, they are quite used to this and it is not a problem for them.

You can actually think of this as a kind of sharing of tasks. While the new lens inserted into your eye gives you the luxury of driving, watching TV, or walking without your glasses, your reading glasses continue to give you the pleasure of reading your favorite book. This is an extremely reliable and time-tested technology that also offers additional advantages such as reduced reflections and glare, especially in night vision. So don’t be confused, monofocal lenses guarantee you a super distance vision, and you will have a little helper for near vision.

The Surgical Process and Life After: What to Expect

Cataract surgery and the lens placement process are not as complicated as our patients make them out to be. On the contrary, it is a much more comfortable and faster procedure than you think. With our experienced team at Kudret Eye Istanbul, we make this process as comfortable as possible for you. First of all, we talk to you at length. What kind of life do you lead? What are your expectations? Is it your priority to see signs in the distance or to deal with the knitting in your hand? At the end of this entire conversation, we will decide together which lens is the most suitable for you. When the surgery day comes, you can be completely at ease because you will be in safe hands that day. Because the entire procedure is done with anesthetic drops instilled into your eyes, you definitely feel no pain or ache.

The operation itself usually takes about 10-15 minutes. With an advanced technique called phaco, we clean the cataractous lens by entering through a millimeter incision and replace it with the monofocal lens we have chosen for you. After the procedure is over, we ask you to keep your eye closed overnight, that’s all. When you come for a check-up the next day, we will remove the tape and give you some drops to use. Using these drops regularly is very important for the healing process to go smoothly. The adaptation process is usually surprisingly fast because there is a single, clear focus that the brain needs to get used to.

So what awaits you in the first days after surgery? The process usually goes like this:

• First Day: Your eye will remain bandaged. It is important to rest and not strain your eyes.
• Second Day: Your bandage will be removed during the check-up. You will start to notice your vision becoming clearer, but your vision may still be a little blurry; this is normal. You start using your drops.
• First Week: Your vision will become clearer each day. You should avoid rubbing your eyes or getting water in them.
• After One Month: Your vision will have mostly settled. Your doctor can now write you a prescription for a great pair of reading glasses.

Benefits and Candidacy: Is a Monofocal IOL the Best Choice?

So why do millions of people still prefer monofocal lenses when there are so many different lens options? The advantages these lenses offer are quite clear and powerful. First of all, they offer exceptional distance vision quality. The image is clear, the contrast is high, and annoying side effects such as night reflections are minimal. This makes them a great option, especially for patients looking for reliability and consistency. It is also a significant advantage that it is a more economical solution compared to other premium lenses.

Another superpower of monofocal lenses is their simplicity. Since they have a single focal point, the brain adapts to this new situation very easily. It does not struggle with complex images, which shortens the adaptation process. And of course, most importantly, these lenses last a lifetime. Once worn, they will serve you for the rest of your life. This makes monofocal lenses a perfect option for our patients who have clear expectations and say, “I want my distance vision to be clear, I can wear my glasses for near vision, that’s enough for me.”

In conclusion, the answer to the question “Can I read with monofocal lenses?” is: “Yes, you can enjoy reading with the help of a great pair of reading glasses.” These lenses are the gold standard for those looking for a simple, reliable, and clear solution without sacrificing their distance vision. At Kudret Eye Istanbul, our philosophy is to offer each patient the most appropriate solution for their lifestyle and happiness, not the most expensive or the newest technology. Remember, the best lens is not the one that is “best for everyone”, but the one that is “best for you.”

The above information is for informational purposes. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with an ophthalmologist.