When you have cataracts, your world can slowly lose its sharpness. Colors may seem faded, and bright lights may create a halo effect, making it difficult to drive at night. Everyday details—faces, text, and road signs—can start to blur, even with your current glasses.
For many people, cataract surgery is an opportunity not only to restore clarity, but to rethink how they see at multiple distances. The IC-8® Apthera™ IOL is a type of intraocular lens that uses pinhole technology to help extend your range of clear vision after cataract surgery.
How the IC-8® Apthera™ IOL Helps Improve Your Vision
Think about how you naturally squint to see something more clearly. Squinting creates a small opening for light to pass through, which helps focus it. The IC-8® Apthera™ IOL works on a similar principle but in a more innovative way.
This lens has a tiny, opaque ring in the center that acts like a pinhole. It blocks unfocused, scattered light from entering your eye. The focused light passes through the center, giving you a clear image.
This small-aperture design can provide a continuous range of vision. It helps reduce the blurry zones you might experience when shifting your focus from something up close, like your phone, to something far away, like a distant landmark. The increased range of vision provided by this specialty implant can significantly reduce your need for glasses, especially at intermediate distances.
Who Can Benefit?
Good Candidates for the IC-8® Apthera™ IOL
This lens may be a suitable option if you are preparing for cataract surgery and want to explore the different types of lens implants available. An ophthalmologist can determine if it fits your specific vision needs and eye health. Considerations often include:
- The presence of cataracts as well as corneal astigmatism.
- Wanting to reduce your dependence on glasses for many daily activities.
- Patients who desire to see at more than one distance (multifocal vision) after cataract surgery who are not good candidates for other multifocal lens options.
Helpful for Specific Corneal Conditions
The IC-8® Apthera™ IOL can be particularly helpful if your cornea—the front surface of your eye—is not perfectly smooth or regularly shaped. The pinhole technology helps focus light effectively even in these situations.
This makes it a valuable option for people who have had previous corneal surgeries, such as radial keratotomy (RK). It may also be recommended for those with certain corneal conditions, like keratoconus, where other lenses might not be a good fit.
The IC-8® Apthera™ IOL and Your Cataract Procedure
If you and your eye doctor decide this lens is right for you, it can be implanted during your cataract surgery. The procedure itself is the same—the ophthalmologist removes your eye’s cloudy natural lens and replaces it with the new intraocular lens.
The IC-8® Apthera™ IOL is typically placed in only 1 of your eyes.
What to Expect After Surgery
Your recovery process is often similar to that of a standard cataract procedure. The surgeon will prescribe medicated eye drops to use for a few weeks to support healing, and they can explain the expected timeline between surgeries if both eyes are being treated. Many people are able to get back to their normal routines within a few days.
Discuss the IC-8® Apthera™ IOL with an Eye Doctor
The only way to know for sure if the IC-8® Apthera™ IOL is right for you is through a detailed conversation with an eye doctor. A comprehensive eye exam is necessary to evaluate your eye health, cornea shape, and vision goals.
During a consultation, we can explain how the lens works in greater detail. Our team can review the potential benefits and risks based on your individual health so you can make an informed decision about your vision.
If you’re ready to explore modern solutions for cataracts, our team at Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons is here to help. Schedule a consultation to find out if the IC-8® Apthera™ IOL or another option can help you achieve your vision goals.