Trifocal lenses in Zurich: see clearly – near, intermediate, far. Without glasses

Suitable candidates are usually people with presbyopia (with long-sightedness from about 45, otherwise from about 55 years of age) and stable, healthy eyes. During the suitability check we examine the structure of the eye (including the cornea, macula and tear film) and what you want to see in daily life. This determines which lens suits you: trifocal, EDOF, toric or another.

Many patients experience clear, significant improvements in their vision at various distances as early as the following day. In the first few weeks after the procedure, neuroadaptation optimizes the interplay of contrast, depth of field, and potential night vision. Full visual stability is typically achieved after a few weeks.

The procedure itself is largely painless, as anesthesia is administered exclusively via special eye drops. Brief, slight pressure or touch sensations are possible during the short procedure, but we do not expect any significant pain. The entire standardized process is closely monitored by our team.

Yes, the occurrence of halos or glare is normal at first, especially at night, and is a result of the optical lens design. These phenomena usually decrease significantly over time through neuroadaptation. We discuss this phenomenon in detail beforehand, select the lens design to suit your individual vision profile, and closely monitor the entire adjustment phase.

You may drive again as soon as medical clearance is given after the follow-up check and you feel absolutely safe in traffic. In most cases, this is possible within a few days, although night driving is only recommended after vision has fully stabilized.

Walks are often possible again after just a few days, light sport without body contact after about one to two weeks. Swimming and saunas are generally allowed after about 2 weeks, or once your doctor has given the all-clear, to avoid infections. Contact and ball sports are usually possible after four weeks, in each case once cleared at your check-up.

Like any artificial lens, trifocal lenses are made to stay in the eye permanently and are usually not replaced. Because your own lens has been removed, a cataract can no longer develop. Clouding of the lens capsule may occur later (after-cataract), which the EyeLaser Zurich team treats in a few minutes with the YAG laser.

The goal is extensive freedom from glasses in everyday life at all distances (near, intermediate, far). For very demanding specialized tasks, such as reading extremely fine print in low light, a light reading aid may nevertheless be useful. We discuss your expectations and realistic scenarios before the procedure.

We only use lenses from manufacturers that have been working in eye surgery for many years, for trifocal and multifocal lenses for example TECNIS Odyssey (Johnson & Johnson), enVista Envy (Bausch + Lomb) and PanOptix Pro (Alcon). If you also have astigmatism, we choose toric versions of the lenses. The final choice depends on a precise measurement of your biometry and a weighing of your priorities (e.g. best near vision vs. maximum comfort at night).

For a refractive lens exchange, the trifocal lens at EyeLaser Zurich costs CHF 5’000 per eye, whether toric or not; with femtosecond laser CHF 6’000. Included are the procedure, the lens, a protective shield, the follow-up checks during the first three months and any laser fine-tuning in the first year. For cataract with basic insurance, you pay a surcharge of CHF 2’700 per eye. Six monthly instalments are interest-free.

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.

After a refractive lens exchange, EyeLaser Zurich checks your eyes the next day, after one week, after one month and after three months at Strehlgasse 33; these appointments are included in the price. After that, we recommend an annual check-up for CHF 180. In the first 24 hours you can reach the surgeon around the clock; after that, at night, the emergency department of the hospital on duty.

Should small residual values remain after the operation, these can – depending on the condition of the cornea and the overall findings – be fine-tuned (e.g., by means of a laser touch-up). Our treatment planning is fundamentally conservative and always prioritizes the long-term safety and stability of the eye.

In studies, trifocal lenses give better near vision without glasses, for example on a smartphone (Tavassoli 2024). EDOF lenses cover distance and screen; reading glasses are needed more often for small print. For halos, a meta-analysis found no established difference (Karam 2023). At EyeLaser Zurich, both cost CHF 5’000 per eye for a refractive lens exchange; we choose according to your daily life.

Online or on 044 221 95 02. For a refractive lens exchange at EyeLaser Zurich, it starts with the free initial consultation, in person or by video; this is followed by the pre-examination for CHF 300, which is credited if you go ahead with treatment. For cataract, you book an examination directly, billed to basic insurance.

At EyeLaser Zurich we generally advise against trifocal lenses in cases of disease of the macula or retina, an irregular cornea, untreated dry eyes, a large angle kappa or pronounced amblyopia (lazy eye) in one eye. If you drive a lot at night for work, EDOF or monofocal plus is often the better choice. Young, highly myopic people without presbyopia are usually candidates for the ICL.