Which artificial lens is right for you?

In every cataract operation, the clouded natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens (intraocular lens). Which type suits you best depends on your daily life, your visual habits and the examination findings.

There is no such thing as the best lens. There is the lens that fits your daily life best.

Trifocal lenses offer maximum freedom from glasses but can produce light phenomena at night. Monofocal lenses carry the lowest glare risk but require reading glasses. The right choice depends on how you live, and it is made together with your doctor after the biometry measurement (measuring the eye).

Covered by ÖGK

Monofocal lens

The reliable standard option

The monofocal lens is the proven standard choice. It gives sharp vision at exactly one distance, usually far away. You still need reading glasses for close work, but in return the risk of glare or light phenomena is minimal.

Distance sharpness 98%

Intermediate distance 15%

Near sharpness without glasses 10%

Glare risk 5%

Advantages

✓Fully covered by the ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, Austria’s largest public health insurer)
✓Excellent contrast
✓Minimal glare and halos
✓Proven over decades

Disadvantages

–Reading glasses still needed

Suitable for: For everyone, especially if glasses-free distance vision is enough for you or halos would bother you.

Surcharge approx. €400–800

Toric lens

For corneal astigmatism

The toric lens combines cataract correction with correction of corneal astigmatism. If you have needed special glasses for astigmatism until now, you can often see completely without glasses at distance afterwards.

Distance sharpness 97%

Astigmatism correction 95%

Near sharpness without glasses 10%

Glare risk 8%

Advantages

✓Glasses-free at distance despite astigmatism
✓Very stable long-term result
✓Hardly any glare phenomena

Disadvantages

–Surcharge required
–Only worthwhile with relevant astigmatism

Suitable for: For patients with relevant corneal astigmatism who want to be glasses-free at distance. Whether a toric lens makes sense is shown by the biometry measurement at the preliminary examination.

Surcharge approx. €400–700

Enhanced Range IOL

Monofocal plus lens

The Enhanced Range IOL is a further development of the classic monofocal lens. It gives sharp distance vision and slightly improves sight in the intermediate range (arm’s length, computer distance). Reading glasses are still needed for reading and close work. The advantage: more flexibility in everyday life, with far fewer light phenomena than EDOF or trifocal lenses.

Distance sharpness 96%

Intermediate distance 45%

Near sharpness without glasses 12%

Glare risk 10%

Advantages

✓Slightly more depth of focus than a classic monofocal
✓Fewer halos than EDOF or trifocal lenses
✓Good contrast and night vision

Disadvantages

–Reading glasses still needed
–Only slightly more independence from glasses than a monofocal
–Usually requires a surcharge

Suitable for: For people who would like a little more comfort in the intermediate range while keeping light phenomena to a minimum.

Surcharge approx. €700–1,200

EDOF lens

Extended depth of focus

EDOF stands for “extended depth of focus”. Instead of discrete focal points, this lens creates an extended range of focus from distance to intermediate. Ideal for computer work, driving and time outdoors, with far fewer halos than trifocal lenses.

Distance sharpness 90%

Intermediate distance 85%

Near sharpness without glasses 40%

Glare risk 22%

Advantages

✓Distance and computer without glasses
✓Fewer halos than trifocal lenses
✓Good contrast and night vision

Disadvantages

–Small reading glasses often still needed for fine work
–Surcharge required

Suitable for: For active people who drive a lot or work at a computer and accept small reading glasses.

Surcharge approx. €1,000–1,500

Trifocal lens

Maximum freedom from glasses

The trifocal lens has three focal points: distance, intermediate (computer, about 60 cm) and near (reading, about 40 cm). The aim is maximum freedom from glasses in daily life. Over 80% of patients no longer need glasses afterwards. Mild glare phenomena are possible in the first months and usually subside.

Distance sharpness 88%

Intermediate distance 85%

Near sharpness without glasses 83%

Glare risk 45%

Advantages

✓All distances without glasses
✓Over 80% glasses-free in daily life
✓Highest independence

Disadvantages

–Halos possible in the first months
–Highest surcharge
–Not suitable for everyone (e.g. macular problems)

Suitable for: For patients who want to be completely glasses-free in daily life and accept a short adjustment period.

Covered by ÖGK

Monovision

One eye for distance, one for near

With monovision, both eyes receive monofocal lenses: one eye (the dominant one) is set for distance vision, the other for near vision. Within a few weeks the brain learns to merge both images into one coherent overall picture. The requirement is a short contact lens trial that shows whether this way of seeing feels comfortable for you.

Distance sharpness 85%

Intermediate distance 55%

Near sharpness without glasses 78%

Glare risk 7%

Advantages

✓Fully covered by the ÖGK
✓Often glasses-free in daily life
✓No increased halo risk
✓A proven concept

Disadvantages

–Contact lens trial needed
–Adjustment takes a few weeks
–Depth perception may be slightly reduced
–Not suitable for everyone

Suitable for: For patients who want more independence from glasses without a surcharge and are willing to do a short contact lens trial.

All lens types at a glance

The final lens choice is made by your doctor together with you after the biometry measurement.

Lens type	Distance	Intermediate	Near	Halos	ÖGK	Surcharge
Monofocal	●●●	○	○	minimal	✓ Covered	no charge
Toric	●●●	○	○	minimal	private	€400–800
EDOF	●●●	●●●	●○	low	private	€700–1,200
Trifocal	●●●	●●●	●●●	possible	private	€1,000–1,500
Monovision	●●●	●○	●●●	minimal	✓ Covered	no charge

● = good without glasses, ○ = glasses recommended. Amounts per eye, approximate guide values, not fixed prices. Monovision: one eye set for distance, one for near.

How to read these amounts

The “surcharge” column shows the extra amount you pay on top of the public insurance benefit as an ÖGK patient. All figures are approximate guide values, not fixed prices, and depend on the clinic, the surgeon and the lens type. As a purely private service (total costs including surgery), multifocal and trifocal lenses tend to range from €2,500 to 4,500 per eye. Your surgeon will give you a binding price in a written cost estimate.

Lens simulator

Choose a scene and a lens type and see how vision differs.

Scene Reading the paper

Lens Monofocal

The simulator is for orientation only. The actual visual result depends on individual factors and is discussed with your doctor.

Which lens suits your daily life?

5 short questions about your visual habits and your daily routine, and you receive a first indication of which lens type could be an option for you.

No personal data profile, just an orientation aid.

Lens decision aid (PDF, in German)

All 5 lens types at a glance, with a comparison table and decision tree. To prepare for the conversation with your doctor.

Download PDF

Discuss your lens choice with a specialist

The lens choice is best made together. After the biometry, a specialist discusses with you which lens type fits your visual habits.

Find a specialist near you

Which artificial lens is right for you?

Monofocal lens

Toric lens

Enhanced Range IOL

EDOF lens

Trifocal lens

Monovision

All lens types at a glance

Lens simulator

Which lens suits your daily life?

More on this topic in our guide