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Lens Exchange is an alternative to LASIK,
epi-LASIK, LASEK and PRK laser refractive surgery. The eyes of some
patients are not suitable for laser refractive surgery. The usual
reason is that the degree of short or long-sightedness is too large to
be safely or effectively corrected using a laser procedure. Also some
patients do not like the concept of laser treatment of the eye which
does involve the irreversible removal of some corneal tissue.
In these situations Lens Exchange may be an
acceptable alternative
Lens Exchange involves a SURGICAL PROCEDURE on the eye that is very
similar to a small incision cataract operation. It therefore uses
tried and tested techniques and technologies.
Different procedures may be used at the same time during a single
operation, or used in a sequence of two or more surgeries over time.
Combining procedures in this way is called BIOPTICS.
Lens Exchange
Surgery
In Lens Exchange the natural lens of
the eye is removed using a surgical procedure called "Phacoemulsification".
Precisely the same technique is used for modern small incision
cataract surgery.
Phacoemulsification
Phaco or Phako means lens.
Emulsification means to turn a solid into an emulsion, i.e. break a
solid into a fluid suspension.
Phacoemulsification offers the advantages of a small incision in the
eye and a relatively rapid visual recovery following surgery. In
routine cases the eye is usually fully recovered and the vision and
focus stable after 2 to 3 weeks.
Once the natural lens is removed the artificial lens (The Intra Ocular
Lens Implant) is placed into the eye. This is usually made of a
pliable plastic so that it may be folded and inserted through the
small incision without having to enlarge the wound significantly. Once
within the eye, the Lens Implant unfolds and maneuvered into its
correct position.
In most cases the operation is performed using only a local
anaesthetic and is a day case procedure, i.e. no overnight stay in
hospital is required. The surgery itself usually only takes about 15
minutes to perform but it can be longer than this.
The Lens
Implant
Lens Exchange alters the focus of
the eye by removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it
with an artificial INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANT (IOL)
Intra Ocular Lens Implants are made from clinical grade
plastics. The most popular Lens Implants currently used are made from
pliable plastics. This enables the lens to be folded and inserted into
the eye through a tiny incision, usually around 3 mms in length. Once
within the eye the Lens Implant unfolds and can then be manoeuvered
into position
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Figure 1: small
incision at edge of cornea |
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Figure 2: Opening made
in lens capsule |
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Figure 3: Cataractous
lens being removed |
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Figure 4: Clear IOL in
place |
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