Premium lenses are powerful tools, but they are not right for everyone. Trifocal and extended‑depth‑of‑focus designs perform best in healthy eyes with regular corneas, good tear film, and realistic expectations about visual phenomena such as halos or mild contrast changes. Patients with significant macular disease, irregular astigmatism, or advanced glaucoma may see less benefit and more downside from complex optics, making monofocal or toric options safer and more predictable.
Careful assessment of corneal topography, retinal health, and visual priorities is essential before recommending a premium lens. Suitability decisions should be made on clinical grounds and expectation alignment — not on technology availability alone.
What this means for you
- Being offered a simpler lens can be a sign of good judgement, not limitation.
- The “right” lens is the one that delivers stable, trustworthy vision for your eyes and lifestyle.
Questions to ask
- “Am I a good candidate for a premium or trifocal lens — and what would make you say no?”
- “What would you recommend if my eye were yours?”
References
- Karuppiah P, Al‑Zubaidi S, Shehadeh‑Masri S, et al. Comparison of clinical outcomes of trifocal intraocular lens and extended depth‑of‑focus intraocular lens implantation. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2022;70(7):2476–2482.
- Piovella M, Colonval S, Kapp A, et al. Patient outcomes following implantation of a diffractive trifocal toric intraocular lens. Eye (London). 2019;33(10):1559–1568.
