Intraocular Implants for Cataract Surgery in 2026
Monofocal, EDOF, multifocal, and toric: understanding the differences to make an informed decision with your surgeon.
What is an intraocular implant?
A permanent artificial lens
During cataract surgery, the clouded natural crystalline lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (or intraocular implant) placed within the capsular bag. Transparent, biocompatible, and less than one millimeter thick, the implant permanently assumes the refractive role of the crystalline lens — without ever becoming cloudy or requiring replacement.
A personalized choice based on your profile
The power of the implant is precisely calculated before surgery through an examination called biometry. The type of implant is decided jointly between you and Dr. Gozlan, taking into account your visual expectations, lifestyle, and complete ocular assessment.
Materials: hydrophobic acrylic as first-line choice
Nearly all modern implants are made of flexible foldable acrylic, injected through a micro-incision of < 2.2 mm. Two implant materials dominate in 2026:
The gold-standard material, offering excellent biocompatibility, a lower rate of posterior capsule opacification, and optimal optical clarity.
More flexible, designed for injection through smaller incisions. Higher rate of posterior capsule opacification. Used in certain specific anatomical situations.
The 3 implant families
The choice of implant is one of the key steps in the pre-operative consultation. Each family addresses different visual expectations and ocular profiles.
Corrects a single distance: far or near. Glasses remain necessary for the other distance. The gold-standard solution used in 99% of cases.
Extended depth of focus implant. Continuous vision from distance to intermediate range (80 cm). Excellent solution for driving and screen use. Fewer halos than with multifocal implants.
Distributes light across three distinct focal points (distance, intermediate, near). Spectacle independence in more than 85% of activities. May cause glare, night halos, and reduced contrast sensitivity.
Combines monofocal, EDOF, or multifocal correction with astigmatism correction. The solution for astigmatic patients with more than 1 diopter of astigmatism seeking spectacle independence.
⚠️ Multifocal and EDOF implants are contraindicated in the presence of associated ocular pathology: corneal (cornea guttata), optic nerve (glaucoma), or retinal disease (AMD). In these situations, a monofocal implant remains the safest option. The pre-operative assessment allows for detection of these conditions.
Implant comparison
This table summarizes the visual performance of each implant type across the three distances of vision. For associated pricing, please consult our pricing and reimbursement guide.
| Implant | Distance vision | Intermediate | Near vision | Night halos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monofocal implant | Excellent | Glasses required | Glasses required | — |
| EDOF implant | Excellent | Good | Functional | Minimal |
| Multifocal implant | Good | Good | Good | Moderate |
How is implant power calculated?
Prior to surgery, a supplementary examination called laser interferometry biometry measures axial eye length, keratometry (measurement of corneal curvature), and anterior chamber depth. These data are used in 4th-generation calculation formulas to predict the implant power that must be inserted into the eye during surgery to achieve the desired refractive outcome.
The world reference formula. High precision across a wide range of axial eye lengths, particularly for short or long eyes.
Artificial intelligence-based formulas combining advanced mathematical models with large biometric databases.
Secondary cataract
Posterior capsule opacification
Over time (generally 1 to 5 years after surgery), residual epithelial cells may proliferate on the posterior surface of the capsule, rendering it opaque and causing a gradual decline in vision similar to the original cataract. This phenomenon occurs in approximately 30% of cases at 5 years.
A simple treatment with YAG laser
YAG laser capsulotomy is performed as an outpatient procedure. The procedure takes approximately 2 minutes. The implant is not affected and no anesthesia is required. Vision is restored almost immediately.
References & medical sources
- Société Française d'Ophtalmologie (SFO). Guide pratique des implants cristalliniens : monofocaux, toriques, multifocaux et EDOF. Paris : SFO ; 2022.
- Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS). Implants cristalliniens — liste des produits et prestations remboursables (LPPR). Paris : HAS ; 2023.
- Kohnen T, et al. Intraocular lens power calculation for cataract surgery. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(41):693–700.
- Kessel L, Andresen J, Tendal B, et al. Toric intraocular lenses in the correction of astigmatism during cataract surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(2):275–286. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.10.002
- Cochener B, Lafuma A, Khoshnood B, Courouve L, Berdeaux G. Comparison of outcomes with multifocal intraocular lenses: a meta-analysis. Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:45–56. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S14325
- Behndig A, Montan P, Stenevi U, et al. Aiming for emmetropia after cataract surgery: Swedish National Cataract Register study. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38(7):1181–1186.