There are three types of implant lenses: monofocal/unifocal, trifocal/multifocal, and EDOF lenses.

All three types are available in toric and non-toric variants.

The monofocal or unifocal implant lens provides clear vision without glasses or contact lenses at one specific distance. This can be far, intermediate, or near. Most people choose good distance vision without glasses. People with mild myopia, who often take off their glasses to read or walk around the house, often choose to retain this mild myopia.

The multifocal or trifocal implant lens provides clear vision without glasses or contact lenses at three distances: far, intermediate, and near. However, there is a significant loss of contrast, especially for distant vision. You will also see halos (rings of light around a light source), glare, and other optical phenomena. Whether you will be bothered by these is difficult to predict. Therefore, we do not prefer to place these lenses in patients who are very focused on perfect distance vision without glasses or who are very perfectionistic by nature.

The EDOF lens is an implant lens with an "extended depth of focus". This lens provides clear vision for distance without glasses or contact lenses, with support for intermediate distances. This, however, without the halos, glare, etc., of trifocal implant lenses. Patients with this type of implant lens can see well at a distance and also see the dashboard while driving, food on their plate, can shave without glasses, see their GPS while cycling, and so on. After implantation of this type of lens, people are often independent of glasses for 80% of their activities but still need a small reading glass.

The type of lens, or combination of lenses, most suitable for you depends on many factors.

Your current prescription, whether or not you wear contact lenses, your hobbies, your age, tolerance for mono-vision, the health of your eye, tolerance for halos, etc., your personality... all these factors play a role in the decision-making process that your ophthalmologist will make.

Sometimes one eye is used more for distance vision and the other, non-dominant eye, more for near vision. This is called mono-vision.

There are, as mentioned, three main types of implant lenses, each also available in a toric variant.

You definitely do not have to choose yourself. The ophthalmologist usually knows exactly what the best choice is or will discuss the possible options with you.

During the pre-examination, this will be discussed with you, along with the possible advantages, disadvantages, and risks. However, it is impossible and also undesirable to explain this completely during the consultation.

The procedure is performed at UZ Leuven, Gasthuisberg campus in Day Hospital 3.

This is located on Orange Street, gate 7, level -1.

The time stated in your appointment letter is the time you need to check in.

The procedure often starts 1.5 hours later.

In total, you will be in the hospital for 2.5 to 3 hours.

The procedure itself usually takes only 15 to 20 minutes, but good preparation, aftercare, and instructions are needed.

You will be prepared in the preparation room by a skilled nurse.

You will receive a Temesta, and a pill will be placed in your eye to dilate the pupil.

Sometimes an IV is placed.

In the operating room, your eye will be numbed and disinfected.

You lie on a very comfortable treatment table. We look for the best possible position for you.

The anesthesia is usually done with drops, only very rarely with an injection under the eye.

During the procedure, the clear, natural eye lens is replaced with an implant lens through very small openings in the eye.

The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes. You will see bright light, feel water flowing, and occasionally feel pressure. The procedure is not painful.

After the procedure, your eye will be covered with an eye shield. This should remain on the eye until the morning after the procedure.

Half an hour later, you may go home. You are obviously not allowed to drive yourself.

The day after the procedure, you will come for a check-up at the Eye Clinic in Winksele. You may not drive that day.

Your vision will gradually improve during the week.

You may resume your normal activities, such as reading, watching TV, working on the computer, and light household tasks.

If you are an avid athlete, you may resume light training from the third day after the procedure.

However, be careful with ball sports, combat sports, swimming (and sauna). These are only allowed again after a month.

Shortly after the procedure, you may go home. You will usually be in the hospital for 2.5 to 3 hours.

You need to provide a driver because you are not allowed to drive yourself home.

You will receive a schedule with eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation.

• Tobradex eye drops 4 times a day for 2 weeks, 2 times a day for 2 weeks
• Dicloabak eye drops 4 times a day for 2 weeks, 3 times a day for 2 weeks
• Eye shield at night for 4 days after the surgery.

If you experience pain, you may take a Dafalgan (500 mg) every 6 hours.

Do not rub your eyes (hard rubbing is always discouraged in all circumstances).

• Over- and under-correction
• Halos and night blindness
• Infection and inflammation
• Increased eye pressure
• Swelling of the cornea
• Swelling of the central retina
• Light sensitivity

The cost varies greatly depending on which implant lens is placed. This will be discussed with you during the pre-examination at the Eye Clinic in Winksele.

Normally, one bottle of drops per eye is sufficient. If you run out, you can always ask for an extra prescription by phone or email.

The first week, it is important to keep the bottles for each eye separate. After the first week, you may use the same bottle of drops for both eyes.

A few minutes.

No, it doesn't matter.