For decades, intraocular lenses have been used to treat cataracts.  Today, this technique is also used for more severe vision problems, such as severe myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

An intraocular lens, what is it?

An intraocular lens is also called a lens implant or permanent lens.  In the case of a cataract, it is used to replace the crystalline lens, which means the eye’s “natural lens.”  The crystalline lens of a cataract, for instance, is cloudy, which provokes a blurred or obscured vision for the affected individual.  Since it is not possible to restore the transparency of a crystalline lens that has become cloudy, the only solution is to extract the cloudy crystalline lens and replace it with an intraocular lens.

In the case of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, the operation consists of placing an implantable lens (a “phakic” lens) to correct the vision defect.  The natural crystalline lens is therefore preserved, which makes the operation reversible, which means the implant can be removed if necessary.

In what cases are intraocular lenses recommended?

Currently, an intraocular lens implant is the only solution to treat cataracts.  Regarding myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia, the lenses are recommended to patients who could experience complications with laser surgery.  For example, a patient with an autoimmune disease or cornea condition, cannot undergo laser surgery, and will be recommended lens implants.  As each case is different, however, it is necessary to get a personalized diagnosis before considering one or more operations.

What are the risks associated with the placement of intraocular implants?

Intraocular lenses are invisible, painless, permanent and require no maintenance.  Naturally, the guarantee of zero risk, does not exist in surgery.  Implant placement, however, is a common procedure and the success rate of cataract surgery is over 95% among patients who do not suffer from another illness.

What happens in an intraocular implant operation?

The operation is undertaken in a sterilized, surgical environment, usually as an outpatient.  To numb the eye, a few eye drops will suffice.  In the case of a cataract, a small incision in the cornea is made, then, using an ultrasonic probe, the crystalline lens is cut out and extracted from the eye.  The next step is to replace the natural crystalline lens by an artificial crystalline lens, a material that is soft and flexible that was developed specifically for the eye.  Most of the time, the incision of the eye is so small that it is not even necessary to stitch it up.

In the case of implantable lenses for severe myopia, the crystalline lens is conserved and the intraocular implant is place in front or behind the iris, dependent on the type of implant chosen.

After the operation, local treatment (such as eye drops) is prescribed and visual recovery will take a few days or a few weeks depending on the case.

Multifocal Intraocular Lenses?

Intraocular lenses can correct vision from a certain distance only (monofocal implant) or from multiple distances (Restore multifocal implant, Panoptix trifocal implant and Symfony continuous range implants).  These lenses present a favourable solution when a visual defect such as myopia, or hyperopia are added to presbyopia, since a multifocal (or progressive) implant enables a person to see from close as well as far, as experienced with progressive glasses.

Questions related to intraocular implants

The Canadian Journal of Optometry reports that the five questions that seem to interest patients in the preoperative phase the most are the following:

• What are the chances that my vision improves?
• When will my vision improve?
• What is the overall risk that I lose my vision after the operation?
• What will happen if I chose not to undergo the operation?
• What are the most serious complications that could follow?

Book an appointment for a free consultation at one of Michel Pop’s Clinics.  You will obtain a diagnostic and personalized recommendations.