Monofocal vs EDOF vs Multifocal Lenses: Choosing Your Lens Implant

Last reviewed: November 2026 by Brendan Cronin , FRANZCO

Short answer: There are three main types of lens implant for cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange (RLE). A monofocal lens gives clear vision at one distance, usually far, so you’ll need reading glasses. An extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens gives clear distance and computer vision with some near vision, and you may need glasses for fine print. A multifocal (trifocal) lens gives distance, computer and reading vision, and the most freedom from glasses, but halos around lights at night are more likely. All three come in a toric version that corrects astigmatism. The right lens depends on your eyes, your work and hobbies, and how much halos would bother you. For cataract surgery, private health insurance covers the hospital and the lens, whichever type you choose.

This guide is about lens implants (intraocular lenses, or IOLs) placed inside the eye during cataract surgery or RLE. It isn’t about multifocal contact lenses or glasses.

The three lens types at a glance

The lens implant replaces your eye’s natural lens and decides how well you see at each distance without glasses (AAO).

	Monofocal	EDOF	Multifocal (trifocal)
Distance (driving, TV)	Clear	Clear	Clear
Intermediate (computer, dashboard)	Glasses usually needed*	Clear	Clear
Near (reading, phone)	Reading glasses needed	Some; glasses for fine print	Clear
Halos and glare at night	Least likely	Some, depending on the lens design	More likely
Contrast in dim light	Sharpest	Good	Slightly reduced
Lens cost with private health insurance (cataract surgery)	Covered	Covered	Covered
Lens cost if you’re self-insured (charged by the hospital)	Lowest	Higher; more again for toric	Higher; more again for toric

*An enhanced monofocal lens gives some intermediate vision; see below.

ReadingComputerDriving Night halos Monofocalset for distance Least likely EDOFextended depth of focus Some Multifocaltrifocal Most likely

Typical range of clear vision without glasses for each lens type. Illustration only, not to scale; results vary from person to person.

Monofocal lenses

A monofocal lens has one focusing power. It’s usually set for distance, so you see clearly for driving and TV, and wear glasses for reading and often for the computer (AAO). It is the standard lens in cataract surgery and the one public hospitals usually provide.

Suits you if you don’t mind wearing reading glasses, you want the sharpest contrast in dim light, or you have another eye condition, such as macular degeneration, that makes an EDOF or multifocal lens unsuitable.
Enhanced monofocal lenses are a newer kind of monofocal with a slightly extended range. In a 2022 review of 12 studies, they gave better unaided computer-distance vision than a standard monofocal, with the same distance vision and no increase in halos or glare (Wan et al., 2022). You will still need glasses for reading.
Monovision is a way to read without glasses using monofocal lenses: one eye is set for distance and the other for near. It doesn’t suit everyone, and it can be trialled first with contact lenses. See monovision vs blended vision.

Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses

An EDOF lens stretches a single focus over a longer range, rather than splitting light into separate focal points. It gives clear distance and intermediate vision, from the road to the dashboard, the computer and the kitchen bench, with some near vision (AAO).

What the evidence says. Compared with a monofocal lens, EDOF lenses give better unaided computer and near vision and more freedom from glasses, with somewhat more halos and less contrast. Compared with a trifocal, they give better contrast but weaker near vision (Liu et al., 2019). A 2023 review of 22 studies found no significant difference between EDOF and trifocal lenses in distance or intermediate vision, or in reported halos and glare; trifocals gave better unaided reading vision and more freedom from glasses (Karam et al., 2023). Most of these studies looked at earlier EDOF designs, and halos vary between lenses.
Suits you if you want to drive, use a computer and get through most of the day without glasses, and you’re happy to wear readers for fine print or reading in dim light.
Blended vision with EDOF lenses. Setting one eye slightly nearer than the other (micro-monovision) extends the range further. Our surgeons regard this as an excellent way to get a wide range of vision with minimal halos. See monovision vs blended vision.

Multifocal (trifocal) lenses

A multifocal lens has zones set at different powers, so it focuses at more than one distance at the same time (AAO). A trifocal lens splits incoming light between distance, intermediate and near focus, so you can see at all three distances.

What the evidence says. A Cochrane review of 20 trials compared multifocal with monofocal lenses. It found similar distance vision, better near vision and more freedom from glasses with multifocal lenses, but more glare and halos and some loss of contrast. The authors concluded that “motivation to achieve spectacle independence is likely to be the deciding factor” (de Silva et al., 2016).
Your brain needs time to adapt. Rings around lights at night are common at first. The brain gradually adapts to the new optics (neuroadaptation), and many people find halos become less noticeable over time (Rampat & Gatinel, 2021).
Suits you if being free of reading glasses matters most to you, and you accept some halos at night as the trade-off.

Toric lenses for astigmatism

Astigmatism means the front of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a soccer ball. Monofocal, EDOF and multifocal lenses all come in toric versions that correct it, so a toric lens isn’t a separate choice: it’s added to the type you choose (AAO). It needs to be aligned precisely in the eye, and your surgeon measures your cornea beforehand.

At Focus Vision, we correct astigmatism as standard, unless there’s an important reason not to. It’s the same as your glasses: your optometrist doesn’t ask whether you’d like your astigmatism corrected, because correcting it gives you clearer vision. With private health insurance, a toric lens is covered just like any other lens.

How to choose your lens

There is no single best lens, only the lens that best suits your eyes and your life. These questions help:

If this matters most to you	Lens type to discuss
Reading and using your phone without glasses	Multifocal (trifocal)
Driving and computer work without glasses, with fewer halos	EDOF, often with blended vision
A lot of night driving, for work or by choice	EDOF or monofocal
The sharpest contrast, and you don’t mind glasses	Monofocal or enhanced monofocal
You’ve worn monovision contact lenses happily	Monovision with monofocal or EDOF lenses

When an EDOF or multifocal lens may not suit you

These lenses work best in an otherwise healthy eye, and careful assessment before surgery is the key to a good result (Rampat & Gatinel, 2021). Your surgeon may suggest a monofocal lens if you have:

macular degeneration or diabetic eye disease affecting the macula
advanced glaucoma
an irregular cornea, or significant scarring of the cornea
dry eye that hasn’t been treated (we treat it first, because it affects your measurements and your vision)

If you’ve had LASIK or PRK in the past, you can usually still have an EDOF or multifocal lens; the lens calculation is planned differently. See lens replacement after LASIK or PRK.

Lenses our surgeons use

Focus Vision offers monofocal, EDOF, multifocal and toric lenses. Dr Brendan Cronin and Dr David Gunn recommend a lens after measuring your eyes and talking with you about how you use them. Examples of lenses they use:

TECNIS PureSee (Johnson & Johnson), EDOF. A purely refractive EDOF lens designed to give distance and intermediate vision, with some useful near vision (Corbett et al., 2024). Both our surgeons contributed to research on this lens; see how we helped develop the PureSee lens.
enVista Envy (Bausch + Lomb), multifocal. A diffractive lens that Bausch + Lomb describes as giving a continuous, full range of vision (Bausch + Lomb).
Clareon PanOptix Pro (Alcon), multifocal. A diffractive trifocal lens for distance, intermediate and near vision (Alcon).

All three are approved for use in Australia. Brand names are given for information only: each person’s result depends on their eyes, and your surgeon will explain the options that suit you. We don’t currently offer the light adjustable lens; see why.

What health insurance and Medicare pay

Cataract surgery is covered by Medicare (item 42702) and by private health insurance hospital policies that include cataract surgery (MBS Online). If you’re insured, your choice of lens doesn’t change what’s covered. Who pays for what depends on whether you have private health insurance:

	Privately insured	No private health insurance	Visiting from overseas
Hospital and theatre	Your health fund (less any excess on your policy)	You	You
Lens implant and any prostheses (monofocal, EDOF, multifocal or toric)	Your health fund	You, charged by the hospital; premium and toric premium lenses cost more	You, charged by the hospital; premium and toric premium lenses cost more
Anaesthetist	Medicare and your fund pay most; usually a small gap	Medicare rebate, and you pay the rest	You
Surgeon	Medicare and your fund pay a substantial part; we charge a gap	Medicare rebate, and you pay the rest	You

With private health insurance. If your hospital policy covers cataract surgery and you’ve served any waiting periods, your fund pays the hospital, the lens and any prostheses used in your operation, whichever lens you choose: monofocal, EDOF, multifocal or toric. By law, insurers must pay a benefit for devices on the government’s Prescribed List when Medicare pays for the operation (Department of Health). Medicare and your fund pay a lot towards the anaesthetist, usually leaving a small gap, and a substantial part of the surgeon’s fee. Focus Vision charges a gap on the surgeon’s fee: your own fellowship-trained corneal specialist performs your whole operation and looks after you from assessment to aftercare. Any excess on your hospital policy also applies (privatehealth.gov.au).
Without private health insurance (self-insured). You pay the hospital, the lens and any prostheses. Premium lenses cost more: the lens is charged by the hospital, not Focus Vision, because the lens companies charge more for EDOF and multifocal lenses, and more again for toric premium lenses. Medicare pays a rebate that contributes to the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees (MBS Online).
Visiting from overseas. Medicare doesn’t pay for overseas visitors, so you cover the hospital, lens, surgeon and anaesthetist fees; as for self-insured patients, premium and toric premium lenses cost more. We regularly look after patients from overseas.

You receive a written quote at your surgeon consultation, and the consultation fee comes off the price if you go ahead. See cataract surgery cost and our costs page.

Refractive lens exchange is different: it corrects your prescription before a cataract forms, so Medicare and health funds don’t pay. At Focus Vision it is from $6,000 per eye, including the lens, hospital and anaesthetist. See refractive lens exchange cost.

After cataract surgery or RLE with us, laser fine-tuning is free for two years if a small prescription remains once your eyes have settled (see our enhancement policy). Prescribed eye drops are extra.

Already had cataract surgery with a standard lens?

A multifocal upgrade lens can often be placed in front of your existing monofocal lens to add intermediate and near vision, without removing it. See multifocal upgrade lens after cataract surgery.

Talk it through with your surgeon

Your lens is chosen at your assessment, after detailed scans of your eyes. At Focus Vision you’re fast asleep for cataract surgery and RLE, sedated by a specialist anaesthetist, with numbing drops and no needles around the eye. To discuss your lens options, book a free optometrist assessment or call (07) 3239 5005. See also our cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange pages.

References

American Academy of Ophthalmology. IOL implants: lens replacement after cataracts. EyeSmart. aao.org/eye-health/treatments/iol-implants
de Silva SR, Evans JR, Kirthi V, Ziaei M, Leyland M. Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;12:CD003169. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27943250
Wan KH, Au ACK, Kua WN, et al. Enhanced monofocal versus conventional monofocal intraocular lens in cataract surgery: a meta-analysis. J Refract Surg. 2022;38(8):538-546. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35947003
Karam M, Alkhowaiter N, Alkhabbaz A, et al. Extended depth of focus versus trifocal for intraocular lens implantation: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2023;251:52-70. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36736751
Liu J, Dong Y, Wang Y. Efficacy and safety of extended depth of focus intraocular lenses in cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmol. 2019;19(1):198. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31477053
Rampat R, Gatinel D. Multifocal and extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses in 2020. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(11):e164-e185. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32980397
Corbett D, Black D, Roberts T, Cronin B, et al. Quality of vision clinical outcomes for a new fully-refractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens. Eye. 2024;38(Suppl 1):9-14. nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03039-8
Bausch + Lomb. Bausch + Lomb launches preloaded enVista Envy full range of vision intraocular lenses in Europe (product information). ir.bausch.com
Alcon. Clareon PanOptix Pro trifocal IOL (product information, Australia and New Zealand). myalcon.com/au/professional/cataract-surgery/iols/clareon-panoptix-pro
Medicare Benefits Schedule. Item 42702. MBS Online. www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=42702&qt=item
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. About the Prescribed List (medical devices and human tissue products). health.gov.au/our-work/the-prescribed-list/about
Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. Out of pocket costs. privatehealth.gov.au. privatehealth.gov.au/health_insurance/howitworks/out_of_pocket.htm

Brendan Cronin

MBBS (Hons), DipOphthSci, B.Com, LLB, FRANZCO, FWCRS

Dr Brendan Cronin is a corneal, cataract and refractive surgeon and co-founder of Focus Vision in Brisbane. He is the Director of Education at the Queensland Eye Institute, completed his corneal fellowship at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in the UK, and teaches corneal and refractive surgery techniques to ophthalmologists internationally. He co-created the CAIRSPlan surgical planner and the free Focus Vision Refractive Outcomes Analyzer.

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Category: Cataract Surgery

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the lens options for cataract surgery?

There are three main types of lens implant. A monofocal lens gives clear vision at one distance, usually far, so you need reading glasses. An extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens gives clear distance and computer vision with some near vision. A multifocal (trifocal) lens gives distance, computer and reading vision. Each type also comes in a toric version that corrects astigmatism.

What is the difference between monofocal, EDOF and multifocal lenses?

The difference is the range of clear vision without glasses and the chance of seeing halos around lights at night. A monofocal lens focuses at one distance and is least likely to cause halos. An EDOF lens stretches the focus from distance to arm's length. A multifocal lens focuses light at distance, intermediate and near, giving the most freedom from reading glasses, but halos and glare at night are more likely.

Which lens gives the most freedom from glasses?

Multifocal (trifocal) lenses. Reviews of the research found people with multifocal lenses were more often free of glasses than people with monofocal or EDOF lenses, mainly because they can read without glasses. The trade-off is more halos and glare at night. No single lens suits everyone; the right lens depends on your eyes and how you use them.

Do multifocal lenses cause halos?

Often, yes. Seeing rings or halos around lights at night is more common with multifocal lenses than with monofocal lenses. Many people find they become less noticeable over time as the brain adapts to the new optics. If you drive a lot at night or would be bothered by halos, talk to your surgeon about an EDOF or monofocal lens instead.

Is an EDOF lens the same as a multifocal lens?

No. A multifocal lens splits light into separate focal points for distance, intermediate and near. An EDOF lens stretches a single focus over a longer range, from distance to arm's length. EDOF lenses give less reading vision than multifocal lenses, so you may need glasses for fine print.

Can I have an EDOF or multifocal lens if I have astigmatism?

Usually, yes. Monofocal, EDOF and multifocal lenses all come in toric versions that also correct astigmatism. Your surgeon measures your cornea before surgery to decide whether you need one.

Who is not suited to a multifocal lens?

Multifocal and EDOF lenses work best in an otherwise healthy eye. They may not suit you if you have macular degeneration, advanced glaucoma, diabetic eye disease affecting the macula, or an irregular cornea, or if night driving is a large part of your work. Dry eye should be treated before your measurements.

Does health insurance cover EDOF, multifocal and toric lenses?

Yes, for cataract surgery. If your hospital cover includes cataract surgery, your health fund pays the hospital and the lens, whichever type you choose: monofocal, EDOF, multifocal or toric. Medicare and your fund also pay a large part of the surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees, leaving a gap. Without insurance, you pay the hospital and the lens, and Medicare pays a rebate towards the surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees. If you're self-insured, premium lenses cost more: the hospital charges for the lens, not Focus Vision, because the lens companies charge more for EDOF and multifocal lenses, and more again for toric premium lenses. Medicare doesn't cover overseas visitors. Refractive lens exchange isn't covered by Medicare or health funds.

Will my astigmatism be corrected during cataract surgery?

Yes. At Focus Vision we correct astigmatism with a toric lens as standard, unless there's an important reason not to. It's the same as your glasses: your optometrist doesn't ask whether you'd like your astigmatism corrected, because correcting it gives you clearer vision. With private health insurance, a toric lens is covered like any other lens.

Still have questions?

Contact our specialist team today.