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Lens Implants

In recent years, new and better techniques have been developed for correcting the optical problems caused by have a cataract removed. One of them called the intraocular lens implant (IOL) is a tiny piece of plastic that is a permanent replacement for your natural lens. You never take it out, and it requires no care. You can’t feel or see it and it is not noticed by others. Today, almost all cataract surgery patients choose to have their cataractous lens replaced by an IOL.

What are the Advantages of an IOL?

Until about 15 years ago, the most common way to restore vision after cataract removal was with cataract glasses, although this was far from perfect. The glasses ere very thick and they magnified and distorted vision and created side-vision problems. If only one eye had a cataract removed, the patient needed only one cataract eyeglass lens; this meant that the normal eye had to wear a contact lens or else be covered with a patch, since the cataract glass magnified everything so much that the two eyes wouldn’t work together.

Contact lenses, the other option, had fewer problems. But they also had to be handled, cared for and tolerated and not everyone can wear contact lenses.

An IOL is the “miracle” answer to seeing well after cataract removal. Because it lies in nearly the same position as your eye’s natural lens (before it was removed), it replaces the focusing power of your natural lens very closely—better than either cataract glasses or contact lenses. You will see images that are normal in size and shape and your depth perception and side vision are more likely to be very natural.

Are there Risks?

In addition to the rare complications that can occur with any type of cataract surgery, there is a slight risk that an IOL can become displaced. The odds of this happening are slim.

Some people wonder if the lens can move around inside their eye. Usually it doesn’t move but becomes fixed into position by a tight network of scar tissue that forms, or sutures, or simply by a tight fit that holds it in place.

Your body will not reject the implant. This shouldn’t happen because the lens is made from an inert material that the body does not treat as foreign and therefore does not reject. 

Can Everyone Wear an IOL?

Lens implants can provide the best vision possible after cataract removal, but they can’t be used for every cataract patient. Implants may actually be unsafe to use if the interior of the eye is chronically inflamed, or if there are certain diseases present that affect the eye.

After Surgery

Your vision will improve rapidly (within days), and you may be surprised at how well it is. It won’t become stable; however, for about 6 to 12 weeks. At that time ordinary eyeglasses (not cataract glasses) can be fitted to give you the best correction for reading and for the sharpest possible distance vision.

No surgical results can ever be guaranteed. Your vision after surgery will depend mostly on the basic health of your eye. (If you suffer from retina or glaucoma problems, for example, your vision may not be perfect even though the surgery is successful.) To help determine the health of your eye before cataract surgery, several tests will be performed. If there is any problem or disease present, you will be given enough information to assure that your expectations about the visual outcome after the surgery are realistic.