Trifocal Cataract Surgery – Lens Replacement
Medically reviewed by: Prof. Dr. Levent Alimgil · Last updated: 7 September 2026
Trifocal intraocular lens
A trifocal IOL targets three distances — far, intermediate and near — in one lens. Intermediate vision, used for computer screens and car dashboards, is generally better served than with multifocal designs. Trifocal lenses are used in cataract surgery and in refractive lens exchange.
Who is it suited to?
- Eyes with a healthy retina, optic nerve and macula
- Regular corneal topography without significant irregular astigmatism
- People who spend substantial time at intermediate distances
- Patients who can tolerate haloes and glare and have realistic expectations
Limits
Splitting light between three focal points can reduce contrast sensitivity slightly and cause haloes and glare at night. These effects usually diminish with time but may not disappear. Trifocal lenses are avoided in advanced glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and irregular corneas. Toric trifocal options are considered where corneal astigmatism is significant.
Measurement and planning
Biometry, corneal topography including total astigmatism assessment, pupil measurement, macular OCT and tear film testing are performed. Dry eye is treated before measurements are finalised. Eyes with previous laser vision correction require special calculation methods.
Cataract Surgery with Trifocal Lens
Trifocal Lenses are prosthetic lenses that are place by entering through a (minimally invasive) incision opened from the edge of the cornea during Cataract Surgery. Trifocal CataractSurgery, allow you to see far, middle and near distances. Since Trifocal Lenses correct ametropia (nearsightedness), medium (Hypermetropia) and reading vision (Presbyopia), it also allows you to see far, medium and close distances without glasses. Patients who have cataract surgery by having Trifocal len
ses placed to their eyes can see near, middle and far distances without glasses. Trifocal Cataract Surgery can be prefer for patients over the age of 40-45 who have cataracts or have visual impairments that are too high to undergo Laser eye surgery. If you have astigmatism, the type of lens is use as “Trifocal-toric” lens. Toric lenses are more expensive than other lenses.
How does vision loss occur in cataract disease?
Especially with the increase of Cataract grade, it is possible to experience age-related vision loss at all levels after the age of 60. If you are unsure whether this is due to a Cataract, you may still be eligible for lens replacement surgery. After all, this is an operation in which your natural lens can be replace with an artificial lens. In particular, it is necessary to make a very accurate and careful decision.
If wrong type of lens is use on unsuitable eyes, there will be permanent side effects. Permanent problems such as poor vision, flashing of light, glare at night and similar may occur. In particular, with Myopic (Nearsightedness) patients, if they don’t have Cataract problem, should be very careful if they want to have Multifocal or Trifocal lens replacement surgery. It is a medical fact that, with Hyperopia (Farsightedness) patients, Trifocal or Multifocal lens replacement could be more satisfactory with this treatment. Make sure that our eye surgeons will give you the most accurate information as a result of your examination.
Trifocal Cataract Surgery is relatively easy treatment.
Today, with the advancement of Phaco technology is use in Cataract surgery. Especially since our eye surgeons have wide experience and use new technologies, our patients can operate safely. Our highly experienced and expert eye surgeons will give you clear information to make the right decision. Lens replacement surgeries are very safe and a common surgical procedure performs in our clinics.
Lens selection is the most important issue in Trifocal Cataract Surgery
There are many lens manufacturers available for prosthetic lens selection. Especially our eye surgeons, the decision is made by researching the features of all lens manufacturers and choosing the most suitable one for the patient. The country in which the lens is manufactured is not a priority. The most important thing in lens selection is to determine the most suitable lens for your eye as a result of diagnosis. The most suitable lenses for our patients are offer with alternatives and we can provide for you from the any manufacturer.
Naturally, it may seem difficult for you to decide who to trust, but the most important thing is to take the time to make your decision and research your options thoroughly. We want you to be sure that you will make the right decision for the selection of the most suitable lens for your eyes with our experienced and expert surgeons. For this reason, lenses are not sell in our hospitals in order to offer transparent and clear costs to our patients. We ensure that the most suitable lenses are use for you.
Book for free expert consultation
If you are wondering if you can have Cataract Surgery? You can now make your Cataract consultation appointment from the Smart Laser Eye Center. If lens replacement is not suitable for you, our experts will try to offer you alternative solutions. To learn more about what our centers have to offer and to get answers to your questions, we ask you to reach out to our experts directly.
Useful Links:
Cataract Lens Replacement Surgeries
Phakic Intraocular ICL Lens Surgery.
Vitrectomy Surgery. Cataract Surgery Medical Description Wiki. Keratoconus Cross-Linking Surgery. Blepharoplasty Aesthetic Surgeries. Dry Eye Syndrome Treatments. Periodic Eye Examinations. Glaucoma Treatments.
Trifocal lens planning with RLES AI®
A trifocal lens targets three distances at once, which makes candidate selection and measurement accuracy even more decisive. In our centre this assessment is additionally checked with RLES AI®, an artificial-intelligence assisted planning tool.
RLES AI® is a clinical decision support tool. It does not diagnose and does not decide on surgery. It checks the measurements in the same order in every case and shows the surgeon what is missing and what carries risk; the surgeon decides.
Which data are checked before surgery?
- Biometry: axial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal power (K1/K2/Kmax)
- Corneal map: magnitude and axis of astigmatism, screening for irregularity
- Macula and retina: OCT assessment; it directly affects which lens type is suitable
- Tear film: dry eye is the first thing that can make measurements unreliable
- Anterior chamber angle: a narrow angle is flagged separately for further assessment
- Pupil size and daily visual needs: including your occupation and night driving
How is lens power calculated?
The power of the implant is calculated from the measured values, and the choice of formula depends on the eye. In eyes that have had previous laser vision correction standard formulas can drift; these eyes need adjusted formulas, and records of the earlier procedure improve accuracy. RLES AI® checks this consistency and flags missing input; the surgeon completes the calculation on their own platform.
How is premium lens candidacy assessed?
Macular disease, untreated dry eye, an irregular cornea, a large scotopic pupil and unrealistic expectations reduce the benefit of a trifocal lens. RLES AI® asks for each item and states clearly in the report when one is missing. Monofocal and multifocal options are compared as part of managing expectations.
Why you should avoid low-cost cataract surgery
A cheap cataract operation may look like a sensible choice at first. However, the items that bring the price down are usually the same ones: the quality of the measurement and imaging devices, the operating-room conditions, the type of intraocular lens implanted and the surgeon’s experience. Buying a cheap television costs you nothing; with your eyesight, the price can be permanent.
Therefore, look at what the fee covers rather than at the fee alone. Before surgery, we suggest you ask about four things:
- Measurement and imaging: Are biometry, corneal topography and macular OCT performed, and is the equipment current? Your lens power is calculated from these measurements.
- Surgeon and clinical team: Who will operate, and what is their experience in cataract and intraocular lens surgery?
- Operating room: Is the procedure carried out in a fully equipped, sterile hospital operating theatre?
- The lens: Which brand and type of lens will be implanted, and is the price difference for a toric or premium option given to you in writing beforehand?
In addition, we remind every patient of something simple: you have two eyes, and sight is the most delicate of the senses. Consequently, technology and medical quality are the last places to economise, and we do not compromise on either.
Frequent Ask Questions about Trifocal Cataract Surgery
How long does it take to adapt to three focal points?
With a trifocal lens the brain learns to use images from three focal points together. This adaptation usually becomes clear within weeks, and in some patients it takes a few months. For this reason haloes and glare seen in the early weeks are not the final result.
What if my vision becomes hazy again after some time?
The thin membrane behind the lens can cloud over with time; vision becomes hazy again and haloes may seem stronger. However, treatment is short: a YAG laser opens the membrane in a few minutes. This is not a repeat of the surgery.
Who is a trifocal lens not suitable for?
It is not preferred in eyes with macular disease, advanced glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or an irregular cornea. In addition, untreated dry eye and unrealistic expectations also limit suitability. Candidate selection is therefore as important as the surgery itself.
Does dry eye affect the trifocal result?
Yes. If the tear film is unstable, the lens power measurements shift and image quality drops. Consequently dry eye is treated first, and measurements are only repeated once the ocular surface has settled.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
The aim is to reduce the need for glasses; complete spectacle independence is not guaranteed. For example, very small print or fine work in dim light may still call for support glasses. Nevertheless, most patients carry out their daily tasks without glasses.
How long is left between the two eyes?
Usually a few days to a few weeks are left between the eyes. The result of the first eye is assessed and the second is planned accordingly. Moreover, with a trifocal lens the adaptation process is expected to progress in both eyes together; your surgeon makes the decision.
Your Expert Eye Surgeons

Education Information:
After graduating from primary school in Trabzon, Dr. Ofluoglu. He completed secondary and high school in Istanbul. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1987. He successfully completed his ophthalmology residency at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. He received his specialization equivalency in Turkey from Istanbul University Capa Faculty of Medicine . He worked as an Ophthalmologist at Taksim German Hospital between 1997-2014 as an ophthalmologist.Work experience:
German HospitalGalata Medical AcademyCertificates, Memberships, Scientific Publications:
- Articles Published in International Refereed Journals (Sci&Ssci&Arts And Humanities)
- Traenenwege from Die Endeskopie Der Ablrite. Akuchar, P. Novak,
- Ofluoglu FJ: Steinkogler. Spectrum Der Augenheikunde (1985)
- Volumersatz Der Orbita Myth Bioplastic. FJ Steinkogler, A. Kuchar,
- Novak, A.Ofluoglu Spektrum Der Augenheikunde
- Turkish Ophthalmology Association
- European Society Of Cataract And Refractive Surgeons
- American Society Of Cataract And Refractive Surgery
Specialized Treatments and Surgeries:
- Retractive Laser Eye Surgery: iLASIK (Femto Lasik), LASIK, LASEK, TransEpithelial PRK (NO TOUCH) and SMILE
- Cataract Surgery (Smart Lens Surgery)
- Keratoconus Treatments – Cross-Linking Surgeries
- Pterygium – Eyelid (Bird Wing) Surgery-
- Dry Eye Disease and Treatments
- Strabismus Treatments
- Glaucoma- Glaucoma Eye Pressure Treatments
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Treatments for Diabetes-Related Eye Diseases
- Macular Degeneration Disease Treatments
Foreign language:
- English
- German
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of VIENNA
35 Years of Experience
>35.000 Surgery

Education Information:
He completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Ankara. Fevzi Senturk graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine with a degree in 1994, and subsequently received his Ophthalmology Specialization training from Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine in 2000. Afterwards, Fevzi Senturk completed his Retina Fellowship at Istanbul Retina Institute and earned the title of Associate Professor at this institution. He is still continuing his academic career by taking the title of Professor at Istanbul Medipol University. He has focused his scientific and clinical studies on retinal diseases, Vitreoretinal surgery and cataract surgery.Awards,Memberships and Scientific Research:
- Retinal capillary hemangioma: AB interno surgical excision, 43rd National Congress Awards, Best Video First Prize, 2009
- Photodynamic therapy guided by indocyanine green angiography in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology, Best Publication Third Prize, 2000
- Retinal capillary hemangioma: AB interno surgical excision, 43rd National Congress Awards, Best Video First Prize, 2009
- Photodynamic therapy guided by indocyanine green angiography in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology, Best Publication Third Prize, 2000
- Vitreoretinal Surgery Techniques, Second Edition, Hayat Medicine Bookstore, 2008
- Eye Diseases and Anti-VEGF Therapy 2010.
- Ocular Electrophysiology (TOD Education Publications No 13) Meaning of VEP, VEP registration and parameters in ISCEV standards., 2011
- Clinical Eye Atlas (Oxford Atlases in Ophthalmology), 2012
- Imaging in Ophthalmology, Microperimetry, 2013
- Ocular Electrophysiology (TOD Education Publications 1st Edition), Multifocal Electroretinogram Recording and Evaluation, 2022.
- Current Vitreoretinal Surgery (TOD Education Publications), Surgical Anatomy of the Retinal and Vitreous, 2022.
- Turkish Medical Association
- Turkish Ophthalmology Association
- Turkic Republics Ophthalmology Association
- Electrodiagnostic unit board membership
- Electrodiagnostic unit training representative
- International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV)
Specialized Treatments and Surgeries:
- Macular Degeneration Disease and Treatments
- Retinal Detachment Treatments
- Retinal Hemorrhages Due to Diabetes and Hypertension and Their Treatments
- Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatments
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
- Retinal Vascular Occlusions
- Epirentinal Membrane
- Macular Hole
- Glaucoma eye pressure
- Neuroophthalmological Diseases
- Vitrectomy-Retina Surgery
- Intravitreal Injection Treatments
- Argon Laser Photocoagulation Treatment
- Photodynamic Therapies
Foreign language:
- English




