Learn the facts about this revolutionary refractive surgery
Most of the time, when people talk about vision correction surgery they’re either discussing LASIK or lens replacement surgery. While articles about LASIK are plentiful, information about lens replacement surgery may be less discussed – however, it’s one of the safest and most regularly performed surgeries in the world. What is this procedure? Our eye doctors in San Leandro, Concord, and Castro Valley, California, explain all you need to know.
What is lens replacement surgery?
This procedure can be done in a few different ways, all of which are intended to safely diminish your dependency on prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Lens replacement surgery can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and presbyopia (the age-related vision condition of having trouble seeing up-close).
The three primary methods of lens replacement surgery are:
- Refractive Lens Exchange – also called refractive lens replacement, this treatment can correct all types of refractive error. It involves surgically removing and replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It is particularly appropriate for patients with a thin cornea, and it’s also a common alternative for patients who are older than 40 years who do not make good candidates for LASIK.
- Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs) – ICL surgery is done by implanting contact lenses in the eye. Advanced phakic IOLs are implanted behind the iris and over the eye’s natural lens. It is a reversible procedure.
- Cataract Surgery – this procedure is almost the same as refractive lens surgery. If you have cataracts, the eye surgeon will remove the cloudy lens affected by the cataract and replace it with an IOL, leading to a dramatic improvement in vision and also reducing the need for prescription eyewear.
What are the pros and cons of lens replacement surgery?
Depending on your personal vision condition, we may recommend lens replacement surgery at our eye care clinics in San Leandro, Concord, and Castro Valley, California, as the best form of surgical vision correction.
But it’s important to us that you understand this procedure, including the advantages and risks.
Pros
- Effective treatment for astigmatism, dry eye syndrome, cataracts, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia
- High safety level; very low complication rate
- Best known treatment for extreme cases of farsightedness
- Lowers your need for prescription eyewear
- Suitable for patients over 50 years old
- Reduces your chances of developing eye infections later in life
- Gives an added bonus of preventing you from ever needing cataract surgery
- Recovery is fast, and most patients experience optimal results after only a few days
Cons
- If you suffer from nearsightedness, lens replacement surgery can raise your risk of retinal detachment during the procedure.
- The surgery can be costlier than other refractive surgeries, such as LASIK.
Lens replacement surgery has proven results – Learn more!
For answers to your questions about this refractive surgery, as well as other laser eye surgeries, such as LASIK, book a consultation with our eye doctor in San Leandro, Concord, or Castro Valley, California.
At Turner Eye Institute, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 800-339-2733 or book an appointment online to see one of our San Leandro eye doctors.
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