It is a tiny artificial lens that is carefully positioned inside the eye to replace the clouded lens that was removed. These implants are made in a large range of focusing powers to fit each person's eye. Because they are placed inside the eye, lens implants require no care or maintenance and last a lifetime. If you are either near or farsighted, the lens implant selected for your surgery often corrects this problem. In addition to regaining clear vision, your dependence on corrective lenses may be significantly reduced.
The lens implant is usually slipped behind the iris and into the empty capsule, which held your eye's original lens. It has tiny, flexible loop-like springs that hold it securely in place.
Why do I need an implant in my eye?
Cataract surgery removes your eye's natural lens, which accounts for about 40% of the eye's focusing power. Without a replacement lens, you would be virtually blind and would see only light and shadows. The artificial lens implant replaces the focusing power of your original lens—as well as much of the correction in your glasses.
How good will they make my vision?
If your eyes are healthy and cataracts are the only thing inhibiting your vision, your approximate chances of achieving 20/20 or 20/40 vision with a standard single-focus lens implant are as follows. These general estimates may be inaccurate if you suffer from other eye disease or disorders.
How good will they make my vision?
Can lens implants correct astigmatism?
Yes, special implants are available that can compensate for this condition. Surgery options may also be available to reshape the surface of the eye.
What will implants not do?
Standard single-focus implants cannot change focus from far to near. For this reason, you will probably need glasses after surgery for certain activities.
What are multifocal lens implants?
Unlike standard single-focus implants, several types of multifocal lens implants offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance—without reading glasses or bifocals.
Can multifocal lens implants eliminate my need for glasses?
Glasses will still likely be needed for certain activities—but less often. However, these lenses are not suited for everyone. They require adaptive personalities and involve extra costs. If you are highly motivated to become less dependent on glasses, ask your family eye doctor if you are a candidate.
Will I feel the lens implant inside my eye?
No. There are no nerve cells in the capsule where the lens is implanted, so you will not feel it.
Normally, the tissue inside the eye does not react to the lens implant. However, in the very rare instance that an eye does not tolerate it, the implant can usually be removed and replaced with a different type of lens.
Do implants protect against ultraviolet rays?
Yes. Lens implants are made to provide full ultraviolet protection against sunlight. This keeps harmful UV rays from damaging your eye.
Will it ever need to be cleaned, removed or replaced?
Once the lens implant is inside your eye, it does not need to be maintained. In the rare instance that there is a problem, it can be removed, replaced or repositioned.
