Intraocular Lens FAQ with Knoxville Eye Surgeon, Dr. Darin Smith

Baptist Eye Surgeons • March 1, 2023

Dr. Darin Smith is a board-certified ophthalmologist here at Baptist Eye Surgeons. He joined us in 1998 and has primarily focused on comprehensive ophthalmology and his primary surgical focuses are cataracts and LASIK. We sat down with him to get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about intraocular lenses and the role they play in cataract surgery.

Intraocular lenses replace your clouded natural lens after cataract surgery. They come in three types — standard, toric, and multifocal — with each having its own unique benefits. Intraocular lenses only become necessary once cataracts progress to the point that surgery is required. The best way to learn if you need cataract surgery is to see your Knoxville ophthalmologist for your annual comprehensive eye exam.

Watch the video below to see our full interview with Dr. Darin Smith!

What Are Intraocular Lenses?

Let’s back up and talk about cataracts briefly. A cataract is where your natural lens in the eye gets cloudy, usually due to age. When that gets bad enough, people end up needing cataract surgery. What we do in cataract surgery is remove the natural cloudy lens and replace that with a clear plastic lens implant. A lens implant is usually a silicone or acrylic lens implant that goes inside the eye after cataract surgery. 

Other Causes of Cataracts

Aging isn’t the only cause of cataracts, although it is the most common. Other factors that can affect your risk of developing cataracts include:

  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Prolonged UV exposure
  • Eye injuries

Everyone will develop cataracts eventually, but your family history can put you at a higher risk of developing them sooner. Having a close relative with cataracts can increase your chances compared to someone who doesn’t. Along with a host of other health problems, smoking makes you two or three times more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers. 

Although the reasons aren’t understood yet, diabetes is a major risk factor for cataracts. According to Diabetes.co.uk, diabetics are 60% more likely to develop cataracts than non-diabetics. Prolonged UV exposure can do long-term damage to your eyes, making owning a quality pair of sunglasses all the more important. 

Click here to learn more about the surprising causes of cataracts!

Are There Different Types of Intraocular Lenses?3 types of cataracts lenses

You have different options when you get a lens implant after cataract surgery. All lens implants come in different powers and different types. The power is individualized for each patient’s needs and patients get to choose from the different types of lens implants. 

There a three different types of intraocular lens implants:

  • Standard lens implants
  • Toric lens implants
  • Multifocal lens implants

The first one is considered a standard lens implant . Usually, that’s what’s covered by insurance. It will help for either distance vision or up close but not both. It also doesn’t do anything for astigmatism which has to do with the curvature of the cornea.

The second is called a toric lens implant and they are for correcting astigmatism. Patients who opt for the toric lens are trying to get out of glasses for either distance vision or up-close vision but not both. 

The third type is called a multifocal lens implant which can fix everything. It can give you distance vision, up-close vision, and it treats astigmatism. The idea with this type of lens implant is to try and get out of glasses for everything.

When Would I Need Intraocular Lenses?intraocular lens faq

As far as when someone knows if they need cataract surgery, a lot of that has to do with being seen by your ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Symptoms of cataracts can cause:

  • Blurry vision
  • Hazy vision
  • Trouble driving at night
  • Trouble reading

There are a lot of different ways cataracts can cause problems. It’s pretty obvious that you might need cataract surgery when it’s really bad. However, cataracts grow very slowly over years and it’s very common for cataracts to get bad but it’s happened so subtly that people don’t recognize that until they’ve gotten worse. That’s why it’s important to get an annual comprehensive eye exam for routine eye care.

To read our complete guide to comprehensive eye exams in Knoxville, TN, click here !

How Do I Know if I Need Cataract Surgery?

As far as learning more about cataracts and when you might need cataract surgery, it comes down to being seen by an ophthalmologist. That’s going to be the most important thing. Now there’s a lot of information on the internet as far as learning about the different kinds of lens implants and that sort of thing.

Of course, you need to be a little bit careful about what you see on the internet. However, it can be a decent source of help. The main thing is scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist.

Want to learn more about your options for intraocular lenses in Knoxville, TN? Contact us today to schedule an appointment

Your natural, clouded lens is replaced with an intraocular lens after cataract surgery. They come in standard, toric, and multifocal varieties with their own unique strengths. These special lenses are only necessary once your cataracts have developed to the point that they require surgery. To learn if you require cataract surgery, schedule and attend your annual comprehensive eye exams in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

Night Vision Problems: Causes and When to See an Eye Doctor

June 30, 2026
Night vision problems can make everyday activities like driving at dusk, walking in poorly lit places, or adjusting to indoor lighting harder and sometimes unsafe. Trouble seeing in low light, called nyctalopia, is not a disease itself but a sign that something else may be affecting your eyes. Learning what causes night vision problems and when to get help is important for keeping your vision healthy. What Are Night Vision Problems? Night vision problems mean it is hard to see clearly in low light or darkness. Some people notice their eyes take longer to adjust when going from bright to dim places. Others may have trouble with glare from headlights, seeing less contrast, or things just looking dimmer at night. Mild changes in night vision can happen as you get older, but if your symptoms keep getting worse or do not go away, you should pay attention to them. Common Causes of Night Vision Difficulties There are several potential causes of night vision problems. Night vision problems can have many causes, from getting older to certain eye conditions, such as lens problems, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 1. Cataracts Cataracts cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 2. Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A is important for keeping your retina healthy. If you do not get enough vitamin A, your eyes may have trouble adjusting to darkness, which can lead to night blindness. 3. Glaucoma Some types of glaucoma can affect your side vision and make it harder to see differences between light and dark. As the optic nerve gets damaged, seeing in low light can become more difficult. 4. Retinitis Pigmentosa This inherited eye condition slowly affects your ability to see at night and to the sides. Early signs often include trouble seeing in the dark. 5. Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Diabetic retinopathy can harm the blood vessels in your retina, which may cause blurry vision and make it harder to see at night. 6. Aging and Pupil Changes As people get older, their pupils do not react to light changes as quickly, and the retina becomes less sensitive. This naturally makes night vision worse over time. Symptoms to Watch For Night vision problems often develop slowly. Some common signs are: Difficulty seeing in low light or darkness Trouble driving at night due to glare from headlights Longer adjustment time when moving between light and dark environments Reduced contrast or clarity in dim settings Frequent squinting or eye strain in low light If these symptoms start to affect your daily life, it is a good idea to get a full eye check-up. When to See an Eye Doctor You should see an eye doctor if you notice new night vision problems, if they are getting worse, or if you have other changes in your vision. The doctor can run tests to find out what is causing the problem and suggest the right treatment. A full eye exam might include checking your retina, testing your field of vision, and taking images to look at your eye health. Finding problems early is very important for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and retinal disorders, because early treatment can help protect your vision. Protecting Your Night Vision Not all causes of night vision loss can be prevented, but taking care of your eyes can lower your risk and help you see better. Some helpful steps are: Scheduling regular eye exams Handling chronic health conditions like diabetes Eating a diet rich in vitamin A and antioxidants Wearing proper corrective lenses if prescribed Avoiding driving with untreated vision changes Prioritizing Your Eye Health Night vision problems can be an early sign of eye disease. Since many eye problems develop slowly, having regular eye exams is one of the best ways to catch changes early and keep your vision healthy for the long term. If you have trouble seeing at night or notice any changes in your vision, making an appointment for an eye exam can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear in all types of light.
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