Non-laser vision correction options – cataract
Laser Vision Clinic Central Coast offers several alternative methods of vision correction besides laser vision correction. Not all patients are suitable for laser vision correction, and you will usually be told if you are more suitable at the time of your first visit.
Phakic Intraocular lenses (IOLs)
If you are very nearsighted or your eyes have thin corneas you may be unsuitable for laser eye surgery. Phakic Intra Ocular Lenses (IOL’s) could be appropriate in this situation.
The Phakic IOL’s are placed inside the eye through a small incision and clip onto the front of the iris. The operation takes about 30 minutes and can be done under a local or a general anaesthetic. Recovery of vision is very rapid – most patients will have excellent vision the next day. In some cases, an enhancement procedure using laser vision correction may be required to obtain optimum vision. These lenses are able to correct very high amounts of short sight and can also correct astigmatism. They have been used for many years in Europe, and are approved by the FDA in the USA for vision correction. More than 150,000 procedures have been performed worldwide. They have been shown to be very safe, effective and predictable and can give excellent vision without the use of glasses or contact lenses.
Clear Lens Extraction (CLE) / Cataract Surgery
This procedure involves removing the existing lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens chosen to reduce or eliminate your refractive error.
Removal of the natural lens with insertion of an intraocular lens (IOL) may be the best option for a patient with high refractive error, or someone who is developing an early cataract (clouding of the natural lens). Some older patients who are seeking laser vision correction may be found to have signs of early cataract formation, without this affecting their corrected vision. If an early cataract is present, the ophthalmologist will usually recommend that cataract surgery/CLE be performed with insertion of an intraocular lens. This is the same operation as is performed for removal of a cataract in an older person. Lens removal and replacement is generally predictable and safe, but does carry some risk (up to 5% in some reports) of developing a retinal detachment later on, when this surgery is performed on eyes with extreme myopia.
CLE or cataract surgery is usually performed with a local anaesthetic and takes 20 to 30 minutes. The natural lens is removed from the eye through a 3mm long incision, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to correct the vision. The procedure is very safe and most patients will get excellent, stable vision within a few days.
CLE or cataract surgery with insertion of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
Following CLE or cataract surgery, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the eye to correct vision. In most cases the IOL has a single focus point and cannot give good distance and near vision at the same time. However newer trifocal and multifocal IOLs are available which can give excellent distance and near vision without the use of glasses.
About 90% of patients with these lenses are completely independent of glasses for near or distance vision. Not every patient is suitable for these lenses – the most suitable candidates are older long-sighted people who wish to get out of glasses or who have early cataracts. Your ophthalmologist will advise you if you are suitable for CLE with insertion of a trifocal or multifocal IOL at the time of your assessment.
For more information about Trifocal Intraocular Lenses Zeiss Trifocal lens brochure
For more information about Toric Intraocular lenses for astigmatism Zeiss Toric lens brochure.
For more information about FineVision intraocular lenses. FineVision Patient Brochure
