Cataract surgery is covered by insurance or Medicare and is applicable to your deductible. The surgical aspect of correcting your cataracts is typically the same. However, advancements in IOL technology provide more options in the benefits you receive from your cataract surgery, but incur out-of-pocket costs. You and your surgeon can discuss which IOL best fits your daily activities, vision preferences, and budget. The options are detailed below.
Standard Monofocal IOL: Traditional Technology
The standard IOL used in cataract surgery is a monofocal lens and is covered by insurance and Medicare. A monofocal lens corrects vision at one range, typically your distance vision. You would still need glasses for reading and possibly for distance if you have an astigmatism. Sometimes, monovision can be achieved with monofocal IOLs to gain some near vision.
☑ Covered by insurance and Medicare
☑ Corrects distance vision
☐ Corrects astigmatism
☐ Corrects intermediate vision
☐ Corrects near vision
☐ Incurs additional out-of-pocket upgrade fee
Monovision with Monofocal IOL: Blended Vision
Monovision uses two different powers of monofocal IOLs to gain near vision. This is accomplished by using an IOL for distance in one eye (typically your dominant eye), and a different powered IOL for near vision in the other eye. Both eyes learn to work together to see objects at different distances. Not everyone can adapt to this blended vision, and not every prescription is a candidate. Sometimes you can try monovision with contacts prior to cataract surgery. With this option, you would still need glasses to achieve your sharpest vision.
☑ Covered by insurance and Medicare
☑ Corrects distance vision
☐ Corrects astigmatism
☐ Corrects intermediate vision
☑ Corrects near vision
☐ Incurs additional out-of-pocket upgrade fee
Toric IOL: Corrects Astigmatism
The toric IOL is an elective upgrade because it corrects two conditions with one solution. The advanced technology of this IOL corrects your cataract AND your astigmatism. With this option, you would still need glasses for reading.
☐ Covered by insurance and Medicare
☑ Corrects distance vision
☑ Corrects astigmatism
☐ Corrects intermediate vision
☐ Corrects near vision
☑ Incurs additional out-of-pocket upgrade fee
Multifocal and Toric Multifocal IOL: All Distances
Multifocal IOLs are considered an elective upgrade and incur out-of-pocket fees.
The multifocal IOL is an elective upgrade and allows you to be less dependent on glasses for all distances: near, far, and in-between. You may experience glare and halos at night and difficulty in low-light situations. With this option, glasses may still be needed to achieve your sharpest vision.
☐ Covered by insurance and Medicare
☑ Corrects distance vision
☑ Corrects astigmatism
☑ Corrects intermediate vision
☑ Corrects near vision
☑ Incurs additional out-of-pocket upgrade fee
Many people are surprised to learn that vision correction surgery can help you save money in the long run. Use our vision cost calculator to find out how much your glasses or contacts may be costing you over your lifetime.
