6. I heard that there are now“bifocal/multifocal
    intraocular lenses (IOL)”. What are they? Are they
    suitable for me?

As the name implies, bifocal intraocular lenses (IOL) have a built-in second focal point that allows near vision.
(multifocal intraocular lenses have three focal points that allows full range vision, that is far, intermediate and near visions)
If implanted successfully, the patient becomes less dependent on reading glasses after the surgery; some have even been able to see well at distance and read newspapers without needing any glasses.

The idea of bifocal intraocular lenses is actually not new, and since the 1990' s different companies have marketed them. We are now already at the second generation, and these lenses produce less side effects such as glare and halos than before. The main disadvantage of bifocal intraocular lenses are that they are more expensive; they may still affect distance vision a bit; and sometimes their near reading power is overwhelmed by the wound healing process that creates secondary visual problems such as astigmatism.

For the interested patients, our advice is that they should discuss thoroughly with the doctor to see if they are good candidates.