Intraocular lenses are used for people suffering from cataract. Intraocular lenses have a double-convex design and combine principles of diffraction, refraction and apodization to produce clear vision along a continual range of distances. Thereare two types of IOLs available � nonfoldable and foldable. Nonfoldable lenses are made of PMMA, a hard plastic material first used in an IOL in 1949. Foldable lenses are made of diferent materials including silicone or acrylic.
Nonfoldable Intraocular Lens Implant
Until recently, ophthalmologists were restricted to the smallest incision they could create. This was due to the size of the non foldable intraocular lens implant. This kind of incision is 5 - 7 mm and may require sutures for wound closure.
Foldable Intraocular Lens Implants
Given the advancement of foldable IOLs, lenses can be implanted through the same small incision that is created in the phaco procedure. The IOL’s that are used are made of a flexible material allowing them to be folded for implantation.
Causes
Cataract is the clouding of the natural lens. The lens is part of the eye which is responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images. The lens is contained in a sealed bag or capsule. As time goes by, old cells die and get trapped within the capsule. The cells keep accumulating in the capsule causing the lens to cloud, making images look blurred or fuzzy. This is a leading cause of visual loss among adults over 55years of age. Eye injuries, certain medications and diseases such as diabetes and alcoholism have also been known to cause cataracts.
Procedure
A very small incision is made during the implant surgery where these lenses are placed in the eye. This incision is shorter than the diameter of the multifocal intraocular lens itself. The surgeon places the IOL in the recipient's eye, where it unfolds itself as it uses built-in anchors to secure itself in a proper position. Unlike older intraocular lenses, the flexible lens is able to move and bend within the eye, producing clearer and a more natural vision.These intraocular lenses are available to cataract patients who are otherwise in generally good health. The surgical procedure that is used to insert them is one of the safest and most common operations performed.
Risks
Risks include:
Corneal swelling
Increased Intraocular pressure
Leakage from the wound
Retinal detachment
It has been found that IOL is a relatively safe procedure and the risks involved are in about less than 5% of the patients who undergo the procedure.
Recovery
Following the surgery you will have to visit your eye doctor frequently for several months. You can expect improved vision in a few days after the surgery. Your doctor may prescribe an eye drop for you which you will have to use every day.
Recovery time depends on factors like underlying health of the eye, the ease of the surgery, the technique and IOL that has been used. Best vision will be achieved after full recovery of the eye.
