Dr. Raviv’s Take:

Pros:

  • This lens provides a great range of vision across three zones - from distance (like driving or watching TV) to intermediate (such as computer use or viewing car dashboards) to near (like using a phone or reading a book).
  • Typically eliminates the need for any postoperative glasses. This IOL is J&J’s next-generation multifocal following the Synergy IOL, which it replaces. 
  • The lens has the best contrast preservation for a multifocal, using J&J’s proprietary chromatic aberration correction technology.

Cons:

  • There are some nighttime halos around street lights and headlights, but the violet filter minimizes the glare around LED lights. Most nighttime drivers notice halos, but it doesn’t affect their ability to drive with clarity of the road, signs, and their dashboard or GPS. In early studies, only 2% of Odyssey IOL patients stated that halos are severe. 
  • For a minority, very fine print may still require reading glasses.

Cataract Surgery Lens (IOL) Options

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Choosing the Right IOL

Dr. Raviv places this IOL in cataract surgery patients (or RLE patients) who desire the most spectacle independence and have a healthy eye with 20/20 visual potential. The Odyssey IOL was designed to correct some of the shortcomings of the prior Synergy multifocal IOL, which overemphasized near vision, sometimes at the expense of clear distance.  

Dr. Raviv informs all multifocal IOL patients that because every person heals differently, some outliers may require a touch-up or enhancement procedure to reach their final vision. At the Eye Center of New York, about 3% of our multifocal patients will benefit from laser vision fine-tuning (such as PRK) at about three months post-op. Also, about 0.5% of multifocal patients (1 in 200) may require an IOL exchange because their brain, eye, and multifocal optics may not mesh well. Typically, I swap out the multifocal IOL to a monofocal, though we can sometimes swap to an EDOF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Synergy IOL?

Who is a good candidate for the Synergy IOL?

What is the Odyssey IOL?

How does the Odyssey IOL improve vision?

How does the Synergy IOL differ from the Odyssey IOL?

Which lens is better for reducing glare and halos—Synergy or Odyssey IOL?

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What is the Synergy IOL?

The Synergy IOL (Intraocular Lens) is an advanced lens implant used during cataract or lens replacement surgery. It combines the benefits of extended depth-of-focus and multifocal lens technologies to provide clear vision at multiple distances—near, intermediate, and far—while reducing dependency on glasses and improving contrast sensitivity.

Who is a good candidate for the Synergy IOL?

The Synergy IOL is ideal for individuals undergoing cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery who want to reduce their reliance on glasses. It’s particularly beneficial for patients seeking sharp vision across all distances and those who experience difficulty with night vision or halos from other lenses. A consultation with your eye surgeon can determine if it’s right for you.

What is the Odyssey IOL?

The Odyssey IOL is a premium intraocular lens designed to replace the eye’s natural lens during cataract or lens replacement surgery. It provides enhanced visual clarity and focuses on reducing the need for glasses, offering excellent performance for both distance and near vision while maintaining sharp contrast.

How does the Odyssey IOL improve vision?

The Odyssey IOL utilizes advanced optical technology to correct refractive errors like presbyopia or astigmatism, providing a broader range of vision. By optimizing light focus and reducing visual disturbances such as glare or halos, it enhances overall visual quality and minimizes the need for corrective eyewear after surgery.

How does the Synergy IOL differ from the Odyssey IOL?

The Synergy IOL combines multifocal and extended depth-of-focus technologies, offering seamless vision at near, intermediate, and far distances with reduced reliance on glasses. The Odyssey IOL focuses more on providing sharp distance and near vision, with a simpler design that may prioritize reducing visual disturbances like glare or halos.

Which lens is better for reducing glare and halos—Synergy or Odyssey IOL?

While both lenses aim to minimize glare and halos, the Odyssey IOL is designed with advanced optics specifically to reduce these visual disturbances, making it a strong choice for patients sensitive to night vision issues. The Synergy IOL provides broader vision correction but may have slightly more visual artifacts in low-light conditions.

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