Standard monofocal intraocular lenses are designed to provide excellent vision at one specific distance, typically set for clear distance vision. These lenses have been used successfully for decades and are covered by insurance, including Medicare, when cataract surgery is medically necessary. If you choose a monofocal lens optimized for distance, you'll see clearly across the room and while driving, but you'll likely need reading glasses for close-up tasks like reading menus or using your phone. Some patients choose to have one eye set for distance and the other for near vision in a technique called monovision, which can reduce but usually doesn't eliminate the need for reading glasses. Monofocal lenses don't correct astigmatism, so if you have this common condition, you'll still need glasses for clearest vision at your target distance. 

Multifocal IOLs provide clear vision at multiple distances—typically near, intermediate, and far—potentially reducing or eliminating your need for glasses after cataract surgery. These lenses work by splitting incoming light into different focal zones, allowing your brain to select the appropriate image for whatever distance you're viewing. Extended depth of focus lenses offer a similar but slightly different approach, providing a continuous range of vision from distance through intermediate, with some near capability. Both technologies can provide greater spectacle independence than monofocal lenses, especially for patients who want to read, use computers, and see distance without constantly reaching for glasses. However, some patients experience halos or glare around lights at night, particularly in the first few months as their brain adapts to the new lens.