“Ugh, where did I leave my eyeglasses?”
If this phrase is sounding all too familiar, it might be time to consider lens implant surgery.
But, what exactly is it? How does it help?
Keep reading to have all of your questions, and more, answered in this complete guide.
But First, What Are Cataracts?
Before we get into the surgery itself, let’s talk about why you should consider lens implant surgery.
The primary reason for this surgery is cataracts.
To understand cataracts, let’s talk a little bit about the anatomy of the eye.
Light hits your eye in this order: cornea, pupil, lens, and finally the retina. The cornea and the lens are responsible for reflecting light, and the retina sends light signals to the brain to create a picture.
30% of the eyes focusing power comes from the lens. As we age, the lens can start to become cloudy, making it difficult to focus. This is what we call cataracts.
The Lens Implant
In order to remove cataracts, the entire lens in your eye must be removed. But, without the lens, you won’t be able to focus your eye. This is where the lens implant comes in.
There are four types of artificial lens implants:
- Monofocal lenses
- Multifocal lenses
- Extended depths of focus lenses
- Toric lenses
Each lens has a specialized function. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate lens for you.
The Surgery
Now for the premium lens implant surgery.
During the surgery, you will be given some anti-anxiety medication, such as Valium, and a local anesthetic. You will not need full anesthesia for this procedure, so you will be completely awake.
First, the doctor will inject a liquid onto your current lens. This will help to stabilize your eye and maintain pressure.
Next, the doctor will insert special tools to break up and remove your current, cloudy lens.
And finally, the doctor will insert the lens implant. Think of a contact lens, only underneath your cornea.
And you’re done before you know it. Not so scary now, Huh?
Aftercare
Aftercare is pretty simple and easy. You’ll need to wear a bandage or eyepatch at first.
Your new lens can cause dry eye symptoms, so for the first month, you’ll need to use eye drops at least four times a day. You may need to continue using them on a regular basis, but you should need them less often as time goes by.
After just one day, you should notice an immediate difference in your focus, however, your eyes will take about a month to heal completely.
Lens Implant Surgery Is Safe & Simple
Lens implant surgery is geared toward those who are over the age of 40 and have difficulty seeing. Since a local anesthetic is used instead of full anesthesia, the surgery is relatively easy on your body, making it ideal for just about anyone.
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