Clear distance vision with additional support for everyday intermediate tasks.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens implant. The lens implant selected determines the range of vision you achieve after surgery.
A standard monofocal lens implant provides clear vision at one chosen distance. A monofocal plus lens implant builds on this design by providing clear distance vision together with improved functional vision at intermediate distances.
This supports daily activities such as viewing the car dashboard, working on a computer, preparing food and seeing objects around the home.
A standard monofocal lens implant focuses light mainly at one point. A monofocal plus lens implant uses an enhanced optical design to extend the range of focus beyond distance vision.
This provides additional clarity at arm’s length while retaining the visual quality associated with a monofocal design. Unlike multifocal lens implants, it does not divide light between several separate focal zones.
You can expect clear distance vision with improved functional vision for many intermediate activities, including driving, computer use and everyday tasks around the home.
Reading glasses are generally still required for small print, mobile phone use and close-up work. The level of glasses independence achieved differs between individuals and depends on your visual target and overall eye health.
Monofocal plus lens implants are designed to provide clear distance vision while improving functional vision at intermediate range for everyday activities such as driving, computer use and tasks around the home. They are often chosen by people who want greater intermediate vision than a standard monofocal lens implant while still prioritising clear distance vision.
Reading glasses are still usually needed for small print, mobile phone use and other close-up work. The level of glasses independence achieved differs between individuals and depends on your visual target and overall eye health.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or natural lens has an uneven curvature, causing light to focus unevenly and resulting in blurred or distorted vision. For patients with significant astigmatism, a toric version of the lens implant may be selected to correct astigmatism at the same time as cataract surgery, helping to improve visual clarity and reduce dependence on glasses.
The same lens implant does not always need to be used in both eyes. In selected patients, different lens implant technologies may be chosen for each eye to create a more personalised balance of distance, intermediate and near vision.
For example, one eye may be optimised more strongly for distance vision, while the other provides greater support for intermediate or near tasks. This customised approach takes into account factors such as eye dominance, existing astigmatism, visual requirements and lifestyle.
Detailed measurements and discussion of visual priorities help determine whether using different lens implants between the two eyes may provide a better overall visual outcome.
From your initial consultation to treatment and follow-up care, our team will guide you through every stage of your journey. We will take the time to explain your condition, answer your questions and help you feel informed and supported throughout your care.
Your consultation begins with a detailed assessment of your vision and eye health. Depending on your condition, this may include measurements of your vision and eye pressure, examination of the front and back of the eye, and advanced diagnostic imaging.
Our team will guide you through each test and explain what is being assessed. Your results will then be carefully reviewed to understand your individual needs and determine whether monitoring or treatment may be recommended.
Every eye and every patient is different. Your treatment plan will be tailored according to your examination findings, visual needs, general health and lifestyle.
We will explain the recommended treatment, its expected benefits, possible risks and any suitable alternatives in a clear and straightforward manner. You will have time to ask questions and consider your options before deciding how you would like to proceed.
Before your treatment, our team will guide you through the necessary preparations, paperwork and medication instructions. Where applicable, we will explain how to use your prescribed eye drops and how to care for your eyes afterwards.
We understand that undergoing a procedure can feel unfamiliar or worrying. Our team will be available to answer your questions and ensure that you know what to expect before the day of your treatment.
On the day of your procedure, you will arrive at the hospital or surgical centre where your operation has been scheduled. The surgical team will help you prepare and explain what will happen at each stage.
Anaesthetic eye drops or other forms of anaesthesia may be used, depending on the procedure, to keep you comfortable. Your doctor and the surgical team will support and reassure you throughout the operation.
Most eye surgeries are performed as day procedures, although the duration and recovery process will depend on the treatment you receive. Your vision may be temporarily blurred afterwards, so you should arrange for someone to accompany you home and should not drive unless your doctor has advised that it is safe to do so.
We will provide clear instructions on how to care for your eyes, use any prescribed medication and manage your activities during recovery. We will also explain which symptoms are expected and when you should contact the clinic for further advice.
Follow-up appointments allow us to monitor your vision, assess your recovery and identify any concerns at an early stage. Our team remains accessible should you have any questions or concerns throughout your recovery.
Monofocal plus lens implants provide clear distance vision with improved intermediate vision, while keeping glare and halos to a minimum. Our ophthalmologists will assess your eyes, lifestyle and visual priorities to determine whether a monofocal plus lens implant is suitable for you.
Book a consultation to explore whether monofocal plus lens implants match your visual needs.
A monofocal plus lens implant may suit patients who prioritise clear distance vision and good visual quality but would also like better intermediate vision than a standard monofocal lens can typically provide. It is particularly useful for people who want to reduce their dependence on glasses for everyday arm’s-length activities while keeping the risk of glare and halos relatively low.
Unlike a standard monofocal lens, which is primarily designed to provide a single point of focus, a monofocal plus lens uses an enhanced optical design to extend the range of clear vision slightly beyond distance. This can make intermediate activities, such as working on a computer or looking at a car dashboard, easier without significantly compromising distance vision.
Intermediate vision generally refers to tasks performed at approximately arm’s length. This includes computer work, cooking, viewing a car dashboard, shopping, looking at objects around the home and seeing another person across a table. Many of these are common daily activities, which is why improved intermediate vision can be useful even if reading glasses are still required.
You may still require glasses for small print, prolonged reading and other close-up activities because monofocal plus lenses are not primarily designed to provide strong near vision. Glasses may also be useful for situations where maximum visual sharpness is required. The degree of spectacle independence varies according to your eyes, chosen visual target and any residual prescription after surgery.
Both are designed to provide high-quality distance vision. A monofocal plus lens provides an extended range of focus that may improve intermediate vision compared with a standard monofocal lens, while generally maintaining a similarly low level of glare and halos. Near vision remains more limited than with lenses specifically designed to provide multiple focal ranges.
Multifocal lens implants are designed to provide vision across distance, intermediate and near ranges and can offer greater spectacle independence. However, they may also produce more glare, halos and other night-time visual effects. Monofocal plus lenses place greater emphasis on distance vision, contrast and overall visual quality while providing some additional intermediate range.
Extended depth of focus, or EDOF, lenses generally provide a broader continuous range of vision from distance through intermediate and may provide some functional near vision. Monofocal plus lenses provide a more modest extension of focus but typically retain optical characteristics closer to a conventional monofocal lens. The most suitable choice depends on how much near vision you want and your tolerance for possible visual disturbances.
Monofocal plus lenses are designed to keep glare and halos relatively low. Their night-vision profile is generally closer to that of a standard monofocal lens than a multifocal lens. Some glare, halos or light scatter can still occur after cataract surgery, particularly during the early recovery period, and individual experiences vary.
It can be a good option for patients who place a high priority on clear distance vision and visual quality in lower-light conditions. Because monofocal plus lenses generally cause fewer halos than multifocal lenses, they may be particularly appealing to people who frequently drive at night. Your overall night vision will also depend on factors such as the health of the retina, cornea and optic nerve.
Monofocal plus lenses are designed to preserve strong contrast sensitivity while extending the range of useful vision. Good contrast is particularly important when viewing objects in dim lighting, driving at night or distinguishing objects from backgrounds of similar brightness. Other eye conditions may still affect contrast independently of the lens implant.
Yes. Monofocal plus lenses are available in toric versions for patients with suitable regular corneal astigmatism. A toric lens corrects both the cataract-related loss of clarity and the astigmatism at the same time, which can improve uncorrected distance vision and reduce dependence on glasses after surgery.
Detailed measurements of the cornea are performed before surgery to determine the amount and direction of astigmatism. These measurements are considered together with your overall eye anatomy and previous prescription. If the astigmatism is significant enough to affect your postoperative vision, a toric lens may be recommended.
Yes. In selected patients, different lens designs or visual targets can be used between the two eyes to provide a wider overall range of vision. For example, one eye may be optimised more strongly for distance while the other contributes additional intermediate or near vision. The combination has to be carefully selected so that both eyes work comfortably together.
Yes. With monovision, one eye is usually targeted for clear distance vision while the other is left slightly more short-sighted to improve intermediate and some nearer vision. This can increase spectacle independence without using a multifocal optical design. Not every patient adapts equally well to differences between the eyes, so suitability is assessed beforehand.
In some patients, a contact lens simulation can be used before surgery to demonstrate how a difference in focus between the two eyes may feel. This can be helpful if a larger degree of monovision is being considered. It is not always necessary for smaller visual differences, and your ophthalmologist will advise whether a trial would be useful.
It may be suitable, depending on the type and severity of the underlying condition. Because monofocal plus lenses place relatively little demand on the visual system compared with multifocal designs, they may sometimes be considered when a multifocal lens would not be ideal. A detailed examination of the retina, cornea and optic nerve is required before deciding on the most appropriate lens.
Although modern measurements allow lens power to be calculated accurately, a small amount of short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism may occasionally remain after surgery. This can often be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In selected cases, an additional procedure may also be considered if the residual prescription is significant and the eye is suitable.
Before surgery, detailed measurements are taken to assess the length of the eye, corneal curvature, astigmatism and other optical characteristics. These measurements are entered into modern lens calculation formulas to determine the most appropriate implant power. Your intended visual target, lifestyle and whether the two eyes will be targeted differently are also taken into account.
Vision often begins to improve soon after cataract surgery, although it may initially be slightly blurred or fluctuate as the eye heals. Most improvement occurs progressively over the following days and weeks. The final quality of vision depends not only on the lens implant but also on the health of the cornea, retina, optic nerve and other structures within the eye.
There is no single lens that is best for every patient. The right choice depends on your prescription, astigmatism, eye health, occupation, hobbies, driving requirements and how important near-vision spectacle independence is to you. During your assessment, we will discuss the different lens options with you and recommend an approach that balances your desired range of vision with the visual quality and side-effect profile you are comfortable with.
