Multifocal lenses in Zurich

Multifocal Lenses in Zurich: The New Hybrid Generation (Odyssey) – For RLE & Cataracts

The menu in the restaurant, the phone in your hand, the lake on the horizon — and for each of these distances a different pair of glasses or a compromise. A multifocal lens makes that switching unnecessary: it replaces the eye's own lens and brings several zones of vision with it, much like varifocal glasses, only invisibly inside the eye. It is used in two ways — in refractive lens exchange, when you want to be rid of varifocals, or in cataract surgery, when the natural lens has to be replaced anyway. We work with the hybrid generation (Odyssey), which combines the contrast of an EDOF lens with the reading ability of a trifocal lens.

Book an Appointment Show me my suitability

Our patients rate us 4.9 out of 5 — 118 Google reviews

Around 25’000 refractive procedures2’500–3’000 laser procedures per year

Since 2006 in refractive surgeryevery laser procedure performed personally by Dr. Derhartunian

See all reviews →

In brief

Multifocal lenses: distances, costs and adaptation

A multifocal lens is an artificial lens with several focal points that covers near, intermediate and distance vision and replaces your own natural lens. At EyeLaser Zurich, a refractive lens exchange with a multifocal lens costs CHF 5’000 per eye; for cataract, the surcharge is CHF 2’700 per eye. The brain adapts to the new optics within weeks to months.

Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS · Specialist in ophthalmology · Last updated: 2 October 2026

One Lens, Two Paths: RLE and Cataracts

A multifocal lens can be placed in the eye in two ways: during a refractive lens exchange or during cataract surgery. The aim is a daily life largely without glasses; whether this is achieved depends on measurements, choice of lens and adaptation. The path there, however, differs depending on your starting situation.

Path A: Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

You do not have a cataract but want to get rid of your varifocal glasses?
From the age of about 45–50, the natural lens loses elasticity (presbyopia). Presbyopia can also be corrected with the laser on the cornea (PresbyMAX, CHF 3’300 per eye); with early lens clouding or higher prescriptions, a refractive lens exchange is often the more lasting solution. Replacing your own lens with a multifocal lens corrects presbyopia and refractive error in one procedure. For long-sightedness it can be considered from about 45, for all other refractive errors from about 55.

Costs: You pay yourself; some supplementary insurance policies make a contribution.
Afterwards: A cataract can no longer develop; an after-cataract remains possible.

What does this lens cost?

The price depends not on the lens but on your situation. Three cases, three clear answers.

Cataract with basic insurance

We bill the operation to your basic insurance under the TARDOC tariff. For an EDOF or multifocal lens you pay a surcharge of CHF 2,700 per eye, plus CHF 1,000 with the femtosecond laser.

All cataract surcharges →

Lens exchange without cataract

Refractive lens exchange without cataract costs CHF 5,000 per eye, CHF 6,000 with the femtosecond laser — regardless of which implant is used.

Refractive lens exchange →

Cataract as a self-payer

Without Swiss basic insurance, cataract surgery is priced like lens exchange: CHF 5,000 per eye, CHF 6,000 with the femtosecond laser.

For cataract with sharp vision at one distance (monofocal plus), the surcharge is CHF 700 per eye. All prices at a glance: Lens implantation costs · all lens options: Lens surgery in Zurich.

Your recovery

How your recovery progresses after lens exchange with multifocal lenses

Realistic guide values from practice — your personal course is closely monitored at the follow-up checks.

PLANNING

Both eyes on the same day or separately — entirely according to your wishes and findings.

DAY 1

Follow-up check at the clinic; usually good everyday vision already.

WEEK 1

No heavy lifting, do not rub your eyes.

WEEKS 2–12

Neuroadaptation: the brain has to get used to the multifocal optics for near and far — this takes time and is completely normal.

MONTHS 3–6

Adaptation is usually complete; reading glasses may still be needed for small print in low light. If necessary, laser fine-tuning is carried out now.

Transparency

What are the risks — and how do we manage them?

We discuss these points openly:

iHalos and light rings — around 3.6 times more frequent than with monofocal lenses (de Silva 2016), usually decreasing over weeks to months (Rosa 2017).

iAfter-cataract — 5.8 to 19.3 % of eyes need a YAG treatment within five years (Ursell 2020); it takes a few minutes.

iContrast vision at dusk is slightly lower with multifocal lenses than with monofocal lenses (Schallhorn 2021).

iInfection in the eye — rare (0.023 %, Friling 2024); in the first 24 hours you can reach the surgeon around the clock.

“Think of treatment for high blood pressure: you start with one tablet, measure again — and adjust the dose until the value is right. Correcting presbyopia works the same way: we correct, the brain adapts to the new vision, and if necessary we fine-tune. An enhancement is not a setback, but part of a precise treatment.”
— Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS

Your safety net: At EyeLaser Zurich, laser fine-tuning in the first year is included in the price after a refractive lens exchange, and for cataract in the tier with several distances (CHF 2’700). For emergencies: during the first 24 hours after the procedure your surgeon can be reached around the clock.

Path B: multifocal lens during cataract surgery

With a cataract, the clouded lens has to be replaced anyway. Basic insurance pays for the operation under TARDOC with a standard lens. Instead of this, you can choose a multifocal, EDOF or toric lens; at EyeLaser Zurich this incurs a surcharge of CHF 2’700 per eye (one distance with monofocal plus: CHF 700). The femtosecond laser costs an additional CHF 1’000 on request.

Payer: basic insurance for the operation, surcharge for the lens
First appointment: examination covered by basic insurance (no free initial consultation)
Surgeon: our highly specialised team led by Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos

More about cataract surgery.

Multifocal, EDOF or monofocal plus: which lens is right for you?

	Trifocal / multifocal	EDOF	Monofocal plus
Vision ranges	Near, intermediate, distance	Distance to intermediate (screen)	one distance, usually far
Reading without glasses	most often possible	small print often with reading glasses	reading glasses needed
Halos at night	more frequent than monofocal; usually decrease	possible, depending on the model less frequent than trifocal	rare
Contrast at dusk	slightly lower than monofocal	slightly lower than monofocal	unchanged
A better fit if …	freedom from glasses at all distances is the priority	screen work and night driving are the priority	a lot of night driving, reading glasses are not a problem
Refractive lens exchange	CHF 5’000 per eye	CHF 5’000 per eye	CHF 5’000 per eye
Cataract (surcharge)	CHF 2’700	CHF 2’700	CHF 700

Sources: de Silva 2016 (Cochrane); Tavassoli 2024 (Cochrane); Karam 2023; Schallhorn 2021 (AAO); Hovanesian 2022 (funded by the manufacturer). We use lenses from established manufacturers, including multifocal lenses such as TECNIS Odyssey (Johnson & Johnson), enVista Envy (Bausch + Lomb) and PanOptix Pro (Alcon); which lens suits your eye is decided by the pre-examination. All lenses are made of hydrophobic acrylic.

Health insurance and instalments: who pays for what?

Ein Leben ohne Brille – Erfolgsgeschichten aus Zürich

1. For cataract

Basic insurance covers the operation under TARDOC with a standard lens. For a lens with more capabilities, you pay a surcharge per eye at EyeLaser Zurich: CHF 700 for one distance (monofocal plus) or CHF 2’700 for several distances, toric included. The femtosecond laser costs an additional CHF 1’000.

2. For a refractive lens exchange

You pay for a refractive lens exchange without cataract yourself: CHF 5’000 per eye, with femtosecond laser CHF 6’000. Some supplementary insurance policies make a contribution, for example CHF 500 to 1’500; obtain a cost approval beforehand. You can pay directly to us in six interest-free monthly instalments; longer terms are handled by HeyLight with a credit check and interest.

We will explain the process to you in brief:

Multifocal lenses for presbyopia – the procedure in brief

How is the lens calculated, and is the femtosecond laser needed?

1. Lens calculation

We measure your eye with the Anterion (Heidelberg) and the MS-39 (CSO). The data are fed into modern calculation formulas such as Kane, Barrett or Hill-RBF, which are based on large data sets. As medical director, Dr. Derhartunian oversees all measurement data.

2. Femtosecond laser (FLACS)

On request, the femtosecond laser performs the circular opening of the lens capsule and the incisions, for CHF 1’000 per eye. Two large randomised studies found no clinically meaningful difference from the manual technique in visual acuity and complications (Schweitzer 2020; Day 2021). Whether the laser offers an advantage for your eye we discuss after the pre-examination.

3. What if a small residual refractive error remains? Laser fine-tuning (bioptics)

Wound healing varies from person to person, so a small residual refractive error may remain after lens surgery. If it bothers you after three to four months, Dr. Derhartunian corrects it with the laser on the cornea. For a refractive lens exchange, this fine-tuning is included in the price in the first year; for cataract, this applies to lenses in the tier with several distances (surcharge CHF 2’700).

When do we advise against a multifocal lens?

Patient lying under the operating microscope while the surgeon in cap and mask leans over her

Large angle kappa: if your visual axis lies far from the centre of the pupil, you look past the optic; this leads to glare.
Macular disease: if you have a disease of the macula, even at an early stage, we generally advise against it; we check this with OCT.
Irregular cornea or untreated dry eyes: measurements and quality of vision are then uncertain.
A lot of night driving for work: EDOF or monofocal plus is then often a better fit.

The retina in high myopia

In high myopia and at a younger age, a lens exchange increases the risk of retinal detachment. In a French study of 2.7 million eyes, it was 0.99 % over four years after cataract surgery, and around six times higher in high myopia (Daien 2015). We therefore tend to recommend the ICL, which preserves your own lens, for young, highly myopic people.

What if I don’t tolerate the lens?

Smiling older man with a white beard at an eye examination, a doctor in a white coat in front of him

Rarely, the brain does not adapt to the new optics. In a series of 1’438 multifocal lenses, 0.83 % were removed again, 0.28 % because of optical complaints (Kermani and Gerten 2016). An exchange is then possible: the multifocal lens is removed and replaced by a lens with one focal point.

Sources

Study figures come from published research and are not our own data. Study populations differ in age, baseline values and lens model.

de Silva SR, Evans JR, Kirthi V et al. Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;12:CD003169. PubMed 27943250
Tavassoli S, Ziaei H, Yadegarfar ME et al. Trifocal versus extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses after cataract extraction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024;7:CD014891. PubMed 38984608
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 36736751
Hovanesian JA, Jones M, Allen Q. The Vivity Extended Range of Vision IOL vs the PanOptix Trifocal, ReStor 2.5 Active Focus and ReStor 3.0 Multifocal Lenses: A Comparison of Patient Satisfaction, Visual Disturbances, and Spectacle Independence. Clin Ophthalmol 2022;16:145–152. (Sponsored by Alcon, not randomised.) PubMed 35082481
Schallhorn JM, Pantanelli SM, Lin CC et al. Multifocal and Accommodating Intraocular Lenses for the Treatment of Presbyopia: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology 2021;128(10):1469–1482. PubMed 33741376
Rosa AM, Miranda ÂC, Patrício MM et al. Functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess neuroadaptation to multifocal intraocular lenses. J Cataract Refract Surg 2017;43(10):1287–1296. PubMed 29120714
Kermani O, Gerten G. Explantation von Multifokallinsen – Häufigkeit, Ursachen und Verlauf. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2016;233(8):928–932. PubMed 27385256
Ursell PG, Dhariwal M, O’Boyle D et al. 5 year incidence of YAG capsulotomy and PCO after cataract surgery with single-piece monofocal intraocular lenses: a real-world evidence study of 20,763 eyes. Eye (Lond) 2020;34(5):960–968. (Study funded by Alcon.) PubMed 31616057
Friling E, Bro T, Lundström M, Montan P. Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery and effect of different intracameral antibiotic regimes in Sweden 2011–2017: national registry study. J Cataract Refract Surg 2024;50(8):828–835. PubMed 38661497
Daien V, Le Pape A, Heve D et al. Incidence, Risk Factors, and Impact of Age on Retinal Detachment after Cataract Surgery in France: A National Population Study. Ophthalmology 2015;122(11):2179–2185. PubMed 26278859
Schweitzer C, Brezin A, Cochener B et al. Femtosecond laser-assisted versus phacoemulsification cataract surgery (FEMCAT): a multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority and cost-effectiveness trial. Lancet 2020;395(10219):212–224. PubMed 31954466
Day AC, Burr JM, Bennett K et al. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery compared with phacoemulsification: the FACT non-inferiority RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021;25(6):1–68. PubMed 33511963

Is a multifocal lens right for you? Two ways to find out

The suitability test gives you an initial assessment in about 45 seconds. For a refractive lens exchange, book a free initial consultation at Strehlgasse 33 or by video; for cataract, an examination covered by basic insurance.

Check suitability Call 044 221 95 02

Book a free initial consultation

Frequently asked questions about multifocal lenses

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions in Zurich

What does a multifocal lens cost — for cataract and for lens exchange?

It depends on your situation, not on the lens. With a medically indicated cataract and basic insurance, the operation is billed under the TARDOC tariff; you pay the surcharge for the lens — CHF 2,700 per eye for EDOF and multifocal lenses, plus CHF 1,000 with the femtosecond laser. Refractive lens exchange without cataract costs CHF 5,000 per eye, CHF 6,000 with the femtosecond laser, regardless of the implant. Without Swiss basic insurance, lens-exchange prices apply to cataract surgery as well.

Why do I have to pay for the femtosecond laser (FLACS) myself?

Basic insurance covers services that are effective, appropriate and cost-effective; for cataract, that is the operation using the manual technique. At EyeLaser Zurich you pay for the femtosecond laser yourself if you want it, CHF 1’000 per eye. Large randomised studies found no clinically meaningful advantage over the manual technique (Schweitzer 2020; Day 2021); whether it makes sense for your eye we discuss after the pre-examination.

How long does a multifocal lens last?

Like any artificial lens, multifocal lenses are made to stay in the eye permanently and are usually not replaced. Later, the capsule in which the lens sits may become cloudy (after-cataract). The EyeLaser Zurich team opens the clouded capsule in a few minutes with the YAG laser at Strehlgasse; it is billed to basic insurance.

Is the operation painful?

No. We use modern anaesthetic drops. You are awake but usually feel no pain — only that work is being done on the eye, and you see coloured lights. The procedure takes only about 15–20 minutes per eye.

Can I drive at night with a multifocal lens?

Most people drive at night again once they have adapted. However, halos around headlights are more frequent with multifocal lenses than with monofocal lenses (de Silva 2016) and usually decrease over weeks to months. Only drive at night once you feel confident and EyeLaser Zurich has given you the all-clear. If you drive a lot at night for work, EDOF or monofocal plus is often the better choice.

What is laser fine-tuning (bioptics)?

Even with precise measurements, a small residual refractive error may remain after lens surgery, about 0.5 dpt. At EyeLaser Zurich, Dr. Derhartunian corrects it with the excimer laser on the cornea. For a refractive lens exchange, fine-tuning in the first year is included in the price; for cataract, this applies to lenses in the tier with several distances (surcharge CHF 2’700).

Am I suitable at −8 dioptres and 35 years of age?

Probably not. At this age, the risk of retinal detachment from a lens exchange is statistically increased. In addition, you can often still accommodate (focus) yourself. In this case we would very likely recommend an ICL (implantable contact lens). We check this during the pre-examination.

What is the kappa angle and why does it matter?

The kappa angle is the difference between the optical axis of the eye and your line of sight. Multifocal lenses have rings. If you do not look exactly through the centre of these rings (because of a large kappa angle), you get glare and poor vision. We measure this beforehand. If the angle is too large, we do not implant a multifocal lens.

Does supplementary insurance contribute to RLE costs?

Some supplementary insurance policies (VVG) contribute to refractive procedures, similar to laser eye surgery. This varies between CHF 500 and CHF 1,500 per eye. We nevertheless recommend obtaining a cost approval (Kostengutsprache) from your insurer before the procedure – we will support you with this. We provide the documents you need to submit a claim.

How long does healing take?

You usually see well the next day. Full visual acuity and neuroadaptation (getting used to the new vision) settle over 3 to 12 weeks. Most patients are fit for work again after 2–3 days.

Who implants the multifocal lens at EyeLaser Zurich?

For a refractive lens exchange, the multifocal lens is implanted by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos or Dr. med. Valery Vinzent Wittwer, depending on the case. For cataract, our highly specialised team led by Dr. Kynigopoulos operates. Dr. Derhartunian is the medical director of EyeLaser Zurich, oversees all measurement data and personally carries out any laser fine-tuning.

Multifocal or EDOF: which is right for me?

In studies, people with trifocal and multifocal lenses read without glasses more often than with EDOF lenses (Tavassoli 2024); EDOF lenses cover distance and screen, but reading glasses are often needed for small print. Whether halos are less frequent with EDOF depends on the model (Karam 2023). At EyeLaser Zurich, both cost CHF 5’000 per eye for a refractive lens exchange; the choice follows your daily life.