What is Refractive Lens Surgery?
Refractive
Lens surgery, sometimes called lens Implant surgery, is a
surgical procedure to replace the natural lens of the eye with an
artificial one of preselected power. It is used to correct
short sight (Myopia), long sight (Hyperopia) and Astigmatism and is
often recommended when a patient is not regarded as a good
candidate for Laser Eye Surgery. Laser techniques change the
shape of the cornea in the eye, so some people are unsuitable for
different reasons, such as being over 40 years old, having a cornea
that is too thin or that their eyes have too great a spectacle
error.
Your Ophthalmic Surgeon will assess your suitability for
different treatments in their initial consultation with you.
After undergoing surgery your sight will greatly improved and
you should have good unaided normal vision.
What does this involve?
Refractive Lens surgery is effectively the same procedure that
patients undergo when having a cataract removed. It does not
normally require a hospital stay as it involves a short operation
of around twenty to thirty minutes, usually carried out under local
anaesthetic, which ensures the operation is painless.
Firstly your eye is treated with eye drops to dilate your pupil
and then anaesthetic is administered through a tiny tube under the
eye, without the need for any sharp needles. Although you may
see some light and movement, you will not be able to see the
surgery while it is happening, and you will not have to worry about
keeping your eye open or closed
The natural lens will be removed and replaced with an artificial
lens implant. This will be done by using ultrasound to break
the lens into pieces and then removing it through a small cut in
your eye. The cut is so small it does not even need stitches.
Your new lens is then implanted into the same place that the
natural lens occupied and is held in place by the original lens
membrane.
Once the operation is complete your eye will normally be covered
by a clear plastic shield and you can rest for a while before your
departure.
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When will I recover?
You should be able to go home a few hours after the surgery and
you will need to use the prescribed eye drops and be careful not to
rub or press on your eye. Your normal daily life can be
resumed although you should avoid strenuous exercise for a couple
of weeks.
Your vision should improve over the first 24 - 48 hours and we
will normally see you again within the first week after the
operation to check on your progress and provide any advice and
support you need.
You should see your Optician four to five weeks after surgery to
check your requirement for glasses - this delay allows your eye to
fully settle before being assessed. The operation is designed
to ensure you have good unaided distance vision though it can mean
that reading glasses may be needed depending upon your normal
quality of vision.
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What risks should I know about?
Refractive Lens surgery is a regularly performed operation
worldwide and is considered to be quite safe. Most patients
do not suffer any complications or side effects but we should
mention those complications that can occur, even though it is in
less than 0.1% of occasions.
- Bleeding at the back of your eye which can disturb vision.
- Some pain after the operation which can be helped by over the
counter pain medication.
- Infection inside the eye
- Tearing of the very delicate lens membrane that holds the new
lens.
- Retinal detachment
Although these conditions are potentially treatable, they could,
in some very extreme cases, result in loss of vision in the
affected eye.
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Circle care
The vast majority of people who have Refractive Lens
surgery make an excellent recovery and enjoy improved vision
and at Circle we have a dedicated team of Ophthalmic Surgeons and
Nurses dedicated to achieving this for you. They will guide
you through the process from first consultation to after-care
appointments and will be available to answer any questions or
queries you may have.
To read more about Refractive Lens Surgery, click
here.
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