How New Lens Technology Helps Patients See More Clearly At All Distances – Even At Night
Cataract patients who receive a standard monofocal lens implant typically regain good distance vision, but often still rely on glasses for tasks like computer work and reading.
Meanwhile, patients who choose refractive lens surgery or traditional premium multifocal implants often report another challenge: reduced clarity at specific distances and unwanted visual effects such as glare and halos around lights, especially in low-light conditions.
These disturbances can make night driving, reading or focusing on digital screens less comfortable.
To overcome these limitations, specialists at St Thomas Hospital Eye Clinic are now offering the latest full-range-of-focus RayOne Galaxy spiral lenses: a new generation of intraocular lens technology designed to provide clearer, more natural vision across all distances, day and night.
Seeing the difference
Illustrative images from leading lens manufacturer Rayner show the contrast clearly.
Patients with a standard monofocal lens, which focuses at only one distance, find that near or intermediate vision remains blurry, meaning reading, smartphone use, cooking or social interactions may still require glasses.
Patients with traditional multifocal lens implants may notice visual disturbances in certain lighting conditions.
Patients with the RayOne Galaxy lens, however, benefit from sharper focus across all distances, near, intermediate and far, with fewer issues such as glare or halos. Everyday activities feel clearer, more comfortable and more natural.
What causes glare and halos?
After cataract or lens replacement surgery, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial one.
Depending on the design, light entering the eye can scatter in different ways.
With standard monofocal lenses, only one focal point is provided. This means objects at other distances are blurred.
With traditional multifocal lens implants, light is split into multiple focal points. With these lenses some light scatter can still occur, especially in dim conditions. Patients may also notice rings, streaks or mild glare around lights
“Traditional lens options often involve a trade-off,” explained consultant ophthalmologist Mr Andre Grixti, who leads the team at St Thomas Hospital Eye Clinic.
“With a standard monofocal lens, patients typically see well at one distance but rely on glasses for the rest of their tasks. On the other hand, patients with traditional multifocal lens implants used to obtain a broader range of vision may still notice visual disturbances in certain situations. The latest full-range spiral technology used by RayOne Galaxy lenses reduces these issues and gives patients more natural clarity across all distances.”
How the new lenses help
The RayOne Galaxy lens, now available at St Thomas Hospital, uses spiral non-diffractive optics, an advanced design that guides light smoothly through the lens and onto the retina.
Instead of splitting light into separate focal points, the spiral pattern gradually extends focus from near to far, delivering continuous vision with fewer halos, starbursts or glare.
“The Galaxy lens is engineered to send 100 per cent of available light to the back of the eye,” Mr Grixti said.
“This leads to better contrast, brighter vision in dim environments and a much lower likelihood of experiencing distracting halos.”
A brighter outlook for patients
Since introducing this new lens technology, the ophthalmic team at St Thomas Hospital has seen excellent outcomes among patients seeking greater freedom from glasses with improved night vision following cataract surgery or lens replacement surgery.
“These innovations are helping us move beyond the compromises that used to come with older multifocal lens types,” Mr Grixti added.
“Our goal is not just to restore sight, but to make it feel as natural as possible again, clear, bright and comfortable in all conditions.”
For more information about advanced lens options or to schedule a consultation, visit St Thomas Hospital.