What Is Lens Replacement Surgery?

28 November 2019

Lens replacement surgery, also known as refractive lens exchange or clear lens extraction, is an innovative treatment which can correct a wide range of visual errors, as well as treating cataracts. This sophisticated technique involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with a specially selected artificial intraocular lens (IOL) designed to correct visual problems such as long sightedness, short sightedness and astigmatism.

What benefits does lens replacement offer?

Lens replacement surgery offers patients the chance to correct visual errors such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness and astigmatism, as well as removing or preventing cataracts. By choosing lens replacement over standard cataract surgery, patients have the chance to reduce their dependency on glasses, or even remove the need for them at all in best case scenarios.

Who is suitable for lens replacement surgery?

Our lens replacement surgery package called Clarivu™ is suitable for individuals with a wide range of visual problems, including long-sightedness, short-sightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and of course cataracts. It could be an ideal option if you are over 50, and it’s a good alternative if you’ve been told you aren’t suitable for laser eye surgery.

Is the procedure painful?

The actual surgery aspect of your lens replacement is carried out under a local anaesthetic and is therefore painless. Following the surgery, it is common for patients to experience itching and mild discomfort; however your surgeon will provide you with eye drops and information on dealing with this.

How soon after surgery will my vision improve?

Your eyes will be blurry for the first few hours after surgery; however this will gradually get better over the following week. Your sight will be at its new, fully improved state after four to six weeks.

When can I return to work?

This is wholly dependent on the type of work you do. Most lens replacement patients can return to work after around three days; however you are advised to stay away from dusty or smoky environments for two weeks after your treatment. Speak to your surgeon to get advice on what’s best for you.

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    Can I get both my eyes done at the same time?

    It is typical for surgeons to advise that patients wait a few weeks between having lens replacement surgery on either eye, giving one time to heal before beginning on the other.

    Can I undergo lens replacement surgery if I have had laser eye surgery previously?

    Yes, you can. However, the range of lenses which are available to you may be limited. Your surgeon will be able to advise further on your particular needs.

    I have cataracts. Am I suitable for lens replacement?

    Certainly! One of the main benefits of Clarivu lens replacement surgery is that it removes cataracts, as well as correcting a wide range of other visual problems. It can also be used to prevent cataracts from developing in the future.

    What should I look for to find the best lens replacement surgery provider?

    To ensure that you get the very best lens replacement surgery possible, we always advise going to a modern, dedicated eye hospital which has world class surgeons and uses the latest technology, as we do here at Optegra. It’s best to attend a consultation, ask questions and read patient reviews of the provider on sites like Doctify and TrustPilot to make sure you’re fully happy with what they have to offer.

    Where can I learn more about my suitability for lens replacement?

    If you would like to learn more about lens replacement surgery and how you can benefit from it, then book a free consultation at Optegra during which you can ask any questions you may have and check out our world class facilities. We look forward to meeting you!

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