Patients undergoing cataract surgery are often given the choice of a standard lens that's covered by insurance, or "upgrading" to a multifocal lens that uses newer technology -- at a much steeper out-of-pocket price, often around $5,000 per eye.
There's a perception that the more expensive version is better, but ophthalmologists are warning that's not necessarily the case.
Multifocal lenses aren't right for everyone, they told MedPage Today, and some patients who aren't good candidates can end up unhappy with the results, often leading to the need for revision surgery.
"If you have a perfectly healthy eye, you get a perfectly good surgery, and you hit the target exactly, it's amazing," said Christina Prescott, MD, PhD, who specializes in complex cataract and corneal surgery at NYU Langone Health in New York City. "But if your eye has any pathology, or your surgery doesn't go well, or you're not on target, then you lose a lot of quality of vision."
Ophthalmologists also raised concerns that economics may drive practices to steer patients toward the pricier lenses. And these practices may not be as meticulous about proper patient selection.
