Intraocular lenses are plastic permanent lenses implanted inside the eye by surgery, in place of the eye's natural lens. The natural lens of the eye should be clear like window glass. When it becomes cloudy we say the lens has a cataract.

Can Cataracts Be Cured Or Prevented?

Cataracts can be treated. When cataracts cause enough loss of sight to interfere with the patient's work or lifestyle, it is probably time to remove them. Depending on individual needs, the patient and the ophthalmologist decide together when removal is necessary. Surgery is the only effective way to remove the cloudy lens. Cataracts cannot be removed with a laser, an intense beam of light energy.

There is no known prevention for cataracts, but permanent loss of sight is usually preventable because modern cataract treatment is highly effective.

How Can The Eye Be Made To Focus Without Its Lens?

After the natural lens is removed during cataract surgery, the eye cannot focus properly. To restore focusing power, cataract glasses, contact lenses, or intraocular lens implants must be used. Each of these alternatives has advantages, disadvantages, and risks.

What Are The Advantages Of A Lens Implant?

The lens implant is permanent in that it does not have to be put in and taken out like a contact lens. It produces a normal size and shaped image on the retina, thus replaces the focusing power of the natural lens more closely than either cataract glasses or contact lenses. Almost a million intraocular lens implants are used in the United States each year. At least 90% of patients who have a cataract removed will have it replaced with an intraocular lens implant.

What Are The Risks Of An Implant?

It is fortunate that today's implants are quite safe. Still there are possible complications which can occur such as hemorrhage, infection, or loss of vision. These complications can occur whether or not an implant is used. Your ophthalmologist will discuss such potential complications with you.

What Can Be Expected After Implant Surgery?

The results of surgery cannot be guaranteed. Your vision after surgery will depend on the health of the eye. For example, if there are changes in the retina from aging or other conditions, vision will not be perfect even though the surgery may be successfully performed. Rarely, it is not possible to implant an IOL safely, even though the patient chooses this alternative.

Reference: American Academy of Ophthalmology