It is possible to exchange implants if necessary. Possible scenarios would include the chance that an individual is either not happy with the results that the implant is providing, or if a newer technology becomes available. Having a discussion with your surgeon about the different IOL options in advance of your procedure will increase the chance that you will be extremely satisfied with this permanent vision correction option!
Alternatively, take our free suitability quiz to find out which treatment you are suitable for. I specialise in advanced technologies for correcting vision, including cataract surgery, implantable contact lenses and laser vision correction. How long will lens replacement results last? Interview transcription: We interviewed Alex Shortt to find out how long lens replacement results last; if there is any pain involved; and how long the procedure takes.
How long do results last? Does it hurt? Interviewer: And does the procedure hurt at all, is there any kind of pain? Search for:. Take the eye surgery self-test to see if you qualify Not everyone is a candidate for eye surgery. Find out if laser eye surgery could help you ditch your glasses and contact lenses by taking this fast quiz.
How long does it take? Some eyes require an unusually strong prescription to focus. In these unusual cases, the appropriate power may not be available in a foldable lens, and a PMMA non-foldable lens is used. Some special situations require an IOL to be sutured into the eye. These lenses are also made of PMMA. Because PMMA lenses are the least expensive to manufacture, they are still the most commonly implanted lenses in many areas of the world.
Although more expensive to manufacture, these are now the most commonly implanted lenses in North America for this reason. The main difference is that the optic can be folded during insertion. Foldable IOLs can be inserted into the eye using one of two techniques. One is to fold the IOL in half using a special forceps. An alternative is to use a special device that rolls the IOL and injects it slowly into the capsular bag.
Once in the eye, foldable lenses open up and return to their original configuration without leaving any crease or mark in the optic. There are many advantages to using the smallest incision possible for cataract surgery.
A small incision increases safety both during the operation, and during the early postoperative period. Because a small incision heals faster, it allows for a more rapid recovery. By not weakening the eye, patients do not have to avoid physical exertion or bending their head over. The vision will improve faster compared to if a large incision had been used. Because the small incision will stabilize and heal faster, new eyeglasses can be prescribed much sooner.
Finally, the larger the incision, the more it can potentially alter the natural spherical shape of the cornea. Thus, small incisions are much less likely to induce unwanted changes in this desired spherical shape called astigmatism.
There are three classes of foldable lens materials — silicone, hydrophobic acrylic, and hydrogel. This material has enjoyed a superb track record of safety and performance. Unlike the liquid silicone that can leak out from breast implants, IOLs are made of solid silicone polymers that are very biocompatible and completely unrelated to the liquid material. There have been no complications attributable to the material itself. Although the three-piece design is the most popular silicone IOL, there is a variation called the plate haptic design.
The acrylic material has been very popular. Their market share is currently much smaller than that of the other two materials. All of these foldable posterior chamber lenses are of excellent optical quality, are safe, FDA approved, and produce outstanding outcomes. While cataract surgeons may have personal preferences, no clear superiority of one foldable material over another has been demonstrated.
The following discussion applies to healthy eyes with no other ocular diseases, problems, or history of surgery. After the age of 50, most patients no longer have perfect natural focus for distance. Eyeglasses will usually improve the focus for far distance objects, such as road signs.
Depending upon the activity, this additional improvement may or may not be enough to compel the patient to acquire or wear glasses. Because of presbyopia — the loss of accomodation [link to presbyopia] — everyone by this age must do something to shift their focus from distance to near. People with contact lenses or otherwise excellent distance vision don reading glasses. People wearing glasses for distance either switch to separate reading glasses or use bifocals.
Some nearsighted patients are able to simply remove their distance spectacles and read without eyeglasses. Although healthy eyes can be focused at any distance with the aid of appropriate eyeglasses, there will be some distance at which the eye will be in natural focus without glasses after cataract surgery. However, no eye over the age of 50, with or without an IOL, can shift the focus between far and near without glasses. For others, a slight amount of myopia nearsightedness may represent a good compromise between being either very blurred for distance or very blurred for near without glasses.
All optical lenses — whether eyeglasses, contact lenses, or IOLs — are manufactured in a large range of different powers. Each IOL model is also manufactured in a large range of powers. Of the 40 to 50 available IOL powers to choose from, there is only one that will be the single perfect lens for far distance focus. Three or four others will be very close, and the rest will result in significant blur for distance without glasses.
Regardless of what the uncorrected vision is after surgery, eyeglasses can always be prescribed to provide excellent distance vision for an otherwise healthy eye. A specific lens power for the IOL is then selected with the goal of achieving this target.
The surgeon uses a computer program to determine the appropriate IOL power in advance of the surgery. The calculations are based upon those dimensions of the eyeball, which determine the unique optical properties of that individual eye. These painless measurements are taken preoperatively. Since this distance cannot be determined with a ruler, ultrasound medical sonar or similar technology is used to measure this distance in tenths of millimeter accuracy. Let us assume that the surgeon is seeking to optimize distance focus without glasses postoperatively.
The IOL power selected is an estimate derived from these calculations. However, without the benefit of trial and error as is employed in prescribing glasses or contacts , perfect distance focus is not assured.
Eyeglasses can then be worn as an option to fine-tune and achieve best distance focus. Although there is a wide range of targeted results, a very common outcome following IOL surgery is that the patient can see reasonably well indoors and around the house without glasses. They will utilize reading glasses to read comfortably.
They will pick and choose when to don distance glasses to enhance their far focus. This might be for driving, for example. Many patients will continue to choose bifocals out of habit or for convenience. A lens implant may have various focusing powers, just like prescription contact lenses or eyeglasses. IOLs can be used to fix nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Depending on ones specific eye issues and desired outcome, there are several different types of IOLs to choose from:.
However, the treatment is reversible so implants can be exchanged if you are not experiencing acceptable improvement to your vision. While there is risk associated with surgery of any kind, it is rare to experience complications after an intraocular lens implant procedure. Prior to any surgery, your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and assess your medical history carefully to determine if you are a good candidate for an IOL procedure. This will help to determine if there are any factors that may increase your susceptibility to IOL risks.
Side effects to this procedure may include some bleeding, redness, inflammation — all of which resolve quickly. More serious risks of surgery include a detached retina, infection or severe inflammation which could result in vision loss. Your doctor will recommend medicated drops following surgery. It is important to use these drops as instructed to prevent infection or inflammation.
The vision is often blurry immediately following the surgery and then clears up over the next few days. It is recommended to avoid heavy lifting or straining for the first 2 weeks following the surgery.
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