Understanding Refractive Cataract Surgery
Patients diagnosed with cataracts, or clouding of their natural crystalline lens, will benefit from Refractive Cataract Surgery (RCS) to both restore vision as well as correct refractive error (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism).
Refractive Cataract Surgery
In RCS, the patient’s natural crystalline lens is removed via ultrasound (phacoemulsification) through a microscopic incision and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) more suitable to the patient’s eye shape. Due to the extremely small size of the incisions and ample pain control, most patients will experience nearly no pain during the extremely short surgery. Having exclusive access to the most advanced IOL technology in the world, Lumea surgeons can correct BOTH patients’ distance AND reading vision with unprecedented satisfaction and accuracy.
Early side effects of RCS may include swelling, increased eye pressure, inflammation or rarely, infection. Patients may also experience temporary dry eye or temporary glaring around lights in the evening (depending on the IOL type that is chosen). Essentially all side effects can be successfully treated with medications and allowing the eye to fully heal from surgery.
Ideal candidates for RCS have:
- Been diagnosed with cataracts
- Any refractive error (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism)
- A desire for distance + / – near vision correction
Surgery Length
30 minutes
Anaesthesia
Local with IV sedation
Side Effects
- Dry eyes
- Irritation
- Temporary night glare
Risks
- Infection
- Temporary swelling or inflammation
- Increased eye pressure
Recovery
- Discomfort 12‑24 hours
- Vision 3‑7 days
- Exercise 5‑7 days
- Make up 7‑14 days
Final Visual Outcome
- 2‑4 weeks
- Dry eyes typically resolve in 4‑8 weeks
Instructions
Choose a cataract vision plan that fits your life
Cataract surgery replaces the eye’s cloudy natural lens with a clear intraocular lens, or IOL. Your choice of lens helps determine the range of vision you may have after surgery and how often you may still need glasses.
At Lumea, we look at more than your prescription. We consider how you use your vision every day, including driving, computer work, reading, sports and hobbies. Your care team will then recommend a cataract vision plan based on your eyes, lifestyle and personal goals.
Understanding vision distances
Far vision is used for driving, watching television, playing golf and recognizing faces across a room.
Intermediate vision is used for computer work, viewing a vehicle dashboard, cooking and shopping.
Near vision is used for reading, using a phone, viewing medication labels and seeing fine print.
Five plans — from better optics to fully customized
Glasses expected
Glasses reduced
Fully customized
Night
Plan
Near
Glasses
No Glasses
Plan B
No Glasses
Plan A
Light
Adjustable
The plans in detail
Explore your cataract vision plans
Night Plan
Enhanced optical quality with glasses expected
- Premium monofocal
The Night Plan uses a premium monofocal lens designed for patients who value clear, high-quality vision and want to reduce glare and halos at night.
This plan does not aim to provide freedom from glasses. You should expect to wear prescription glasses for distance, computer work and reading.
What to expect after surgery
- Far vision: glasses may be needed
- Computer vision: glasses expected
- Reading vision: glasses expected
Near Glasses Plan
Clearer distance vision with glasses for closer tasks
- Premium monofocal ± toric
The Near Glasses Plan focuses your vision for distance activities such as driving, watching television, playing golf and seeing faces across a room.
You should expect to use glasses for computer work, reading and other close-up tasks. A toric lens may also be used to correct astigmatism when appropriate.
What to expect after surgery
- Far vision: glasses are generally not expected
- Computer vision: glasses needed
- Reading vision: glasses needed
No Glasses Plan A
A wider range of vision with a trifocal strategy
- Trifocal ± toric
No Glasses Plan A uses a trifocal lens to provide vision across far, intermediate and near distances. For suitable candidates, it can offer the greatest reduction in glasses use for everyday activities.
The wider range of vision comes with a greater possibility of glare or halos around lights, particularly at night. Your care team will discuss this trade-off with you before recommending the plan.
What to expect after surgery
- Far vision: glasses are generally not expected
- Computer vision: glasses are generally not expected
- Reading vision: glasses are generally not expected
Glasses may still be useful for certain detailed tasks, and results differ between patients.
No Glasses Plan B
Distance and computer vision with fewer night-vision effects
- EDOF ± toric
No Glasses Plan B uses an extended depth of focus, or EDOF, lens to support strong far and intermediate vision.
This plan may suit patients who spend time driving, working on a computer or viewing objects at arm’s length. It generally produces fewer glare and halo effects than a trifocal lens, although reading glasses may still be needed for fine print.
What to expect after surgery
- Far vision: glasses are generally not expected
- Computer vision: glasses are generally not expected
- Reading vision: reading glasses may be needed
- Newest Technology
Light Adjustable Lens
Fine-tune your vision after surgery
10x
more likely to hit predicted outcome vs standard lens
8/10
ophthalmologists would choose LAL for themselves
- The only lens adjusted after surgery
The LAL is the only lens that can be fine-tuned after it is already in your eye. Once your eye heals, a brief UV light treatment reshapes the lens — up to three times — until you and your surgeon are satisfied with the result. Then it is permanently locked in.
Vision is customized to your real-world experience and lifestyle: night driving, computer work, reading, sport, or a blended approach combining distances.
Requires: additional post-operative visits, UV-protective sunglasses outdoors until lock-in, and consistent use of drops as directed.
- How the process works
- Cataract surgery is performed and the LAL is placed in your eye.
- Your eye heals for approximately one month.
- UV light treatments adjust the lens power at follow-up visits.
- You trial your vision in daily life between visits.
- Once satisfied, the lens is permanently locked in.
Lumea was the first centre in Canada to offer LAL technology. Your consultant will confirm at your appointment whether your eye is a suitable candidate.
No cataract diagnosis? RLE uses the same surgical technique and the same premium lens options as cataract surgery, but is performed on patients who do not yet have a cataract — typically those over 45 with significant prescription who are looking to reduce glasses dependence and prevent future cataracts. Ask your consultant at your appointment whether RLE may be appropriate for you.
Quick comparison
| Plan | Far | Computer | Reading | Night glare risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night Plan | Glasses | Glasses | Glasses | Reduced ✓ |
| Near Glasses | Expect no glasses ✓ | Glasses | Glasses | Reduced ✓ |
| No Glasses A | Expect no glasses ✓ | Expect no glasses ✓ | Expect no glasses ✓ | Higher possible |
| No Glasses B | Expect no glasses ✓ | Expect no glasses ✓ | May need readers | Mild |
| Light Adjustable | Customized ✓ | Customized ✓ | Customized ✓ | Mild |
See your options more clearly
Every patient’s eyes and vision priorities are different. Your Lumea care team will assess your eye health, prescription, astigmatism and daily activities before recommending a plan.
Premium cataract lens options are not fully covered by OHIP and involve an additional cost. The expected benefits, possible trade-offs and applicable fees will be reviewed with you during your consultation.
