The best artificial lenses: types, surgery, and recovery

Artificial lenses are intraocular lenses that replace the natural lenses of the eye. They are used to correct certain vision problems, the most common being cataract, myopia, and hypermetropia caused by aging. Moreover, they can help reduce the dependence on glasses for certain activities.

Learn:

How the eye works and what role does the lens play in focusing the image?

The lens is located behind the pupil. It’s a lens, like a window, made of clear protein and water. The role of the lens is to focus the light on the retina and then send it to the brain.

As you age, the proteins in the lens change, causing certain parts of the lens to become cloudy.

This ophthalmological disorder is called cataract. The most common symptoms are blurry vision and/or a brownish shade. Cataracts are commonly found in the elderly and are one of the main causes of blindness. However, they can be easily corrected through a cataract surgery.

What are artificial lenses?

Artificial lenses are clear artificial lenses that the ophthalmologist implants in the patient’s eye to replace the affected natural lens.

Similar to glasses or contact lenses, artificial lenses can correct vision problems, such as:

Myopia (poor distance vision)
Hypermetropia (blurred distance vision)
Presbyopia (age-related distance vision problems)
Astigmatism (altered shape of the eye)

The implantation of an artificial lens is permanent, meaning the artificial intraocular lens will remain clear regardless of external factors. An exception is in special cases when secondary cataract occurs. Artificial lenses help to improve vision and can reduce dependence on glasses in daily routine.

Types of artificial lenses

There are several types of artificial lenses available. Each comes with its advantages and disadvantages. The biggest downside is that you will still need to wear glasses for certain types of activities, such as reading. Another disadvantage is the side effects. There is a risk of not being able to see anything at night around bright lights.

Next, we will present the most common types of artificial lenses. To find out which are the best artificial lenses, schedule an eye examination. The specialist doctor will help you customize your selection of artificial lenses, based on your medical history, vision problems, and lifestyle.

1. Monofocal artificial lenses

These are the most common.

Monofocal artificial lenses have a single focus area. This means you can see clearly up close or at a distance.

Most people set monofocal lenses for distance vision, which can help with activities such as driving. In this case, you will most likely need glasses for things that involve near vision.

Monofocal artificial lenses with monovision

Monofocal artificial lenses with monovision are a good option for some people who want to rely less on glasses. They work together to help you see both objects at a distance and those nearby.

Normally, monofocal artificial lenses for both eyes have the same setting (for distance, for example). But with monovision, the artificial lens can have a different focusing power for each eye. For example, the lens for the right eye may correct distance vision, while the lens for the left eye corrects near vision.

A disadvantage is that you will need some time to adjust to monovision. There’s even a risk that you might not get used to them at all. Therefore, before choosing monofocal artificial lenses with monovision, try wearing monovision contact lenses for a few weeks. This way, you’ll find out if this vision correction method suits you.

2. Multifocal artificial lenses

Multifocal artificial lenses improve near and distance vision, and reduce the need for glasses.

Unlike monofocal artificial lenses, multifocal ones have several focus zones. The brain adapts to these zones and chooses the focusing power you need for each activity (e.g., writing, driving).

You might need some time to adapt to these types of artificial lenses, but over time you will notice that you will need reading glasses less and less. Some people end up not using them at all.

A disadvantage of multifocal artificial lenses is that you might notice rings/halos around lights at night.

3. Extended depth of focus artificial lenses

Unlike multifocal artificial lenses, these contain a single long focal point, which extends the corrected field of vision and the depth of focus of it.

Extended depth of focus artificial lenses allow for excellent distance vision and improvements in intermediate vision (e.g., using a computer).

You might need another pair of glasses for activities that involve near vision.

4. Accommodative artificial lenses

This type of artificial lenses are similar to the natural lenses of the eyes, in that they adjust their shape to help you see objects near or far. They are also an option to reduce dependence on glasses.

However, you might prefer to wear glasses when you need to focus on close objects for an extended period of time.

5. Toric artificial lenses

Toric artificial lenses help people with astigmatism. This type improves the way light reaches the retina, providing clearer and more accurate vision.

Toric artificial lenses can be: monofocal, multifocal, with extended focus range and accommodative. They aim to improve the quality of vision. They also reduce the risk of vision loss or seeing halos around bright objects at night.

6. Light-adjustable artificial lenses

In this case, the ophthalmologist adjusts their correction function after the lens replacement surgery. This is done through UV light treatment, with several sessions taking place over a few days.

These procedures customize the prescription of the artificial lens, to achieve the desired correction.

They still belong to the category of monofocal lenses, so reading or driving glasses will be necessary.

7. Phakic artificial lenses

They are usually implanted in younger patients, while trying to preserve the natural lens of the human eye. Phakic artificial lenses help to preserve the eye’s natural ability to focus and accommodate.

They also correct myopia in patients who are not eligible for laser surgery.

These lenses will eventually need to be removed during cataract surgery, but can provide young people with clear vision for a long period of time.

Diagnosis and determining the type of artificial lens needed

The ophthalmologist will determine if you are eligible for an artificial lens implant. Together, you will discuss the options and choose the best artificial lenses for your needs.

To prepare for the discussion with the specialist, it’s important to think about what your priorities are currently, but especially in the long term. This will influence the choice of a certain type of artificial lenses. You might want to ask yourself the following questions:

Would I be willing to wear glasses sometimes? If so, how often and for what types of activities?
What type of vision is most important to me most of the time? Am I willing to wear glasses for these activities?
Do I often drive at night? In this case, can I adapt to seeing halos around lights when driving?
What kind of hobbies do I have? Do they involve glasses? If so, am I willing to wear glasses for them?
What is my budget for this procedure?

How the artificial lens implant procedure is conducted

The specialist will perform an eye examination thoroughly, to check the health status of your eyes. The specialist will also conduct a series of tests that are simple and painless, to measure the size and shape of your eye. Then, you will choose the type of artificial lenses you will wear.

The procedure begins with the anesthesia of the eye. The specialist will administer a medication, to help you relax.
You might see a light during the procedure, but you won’t feel anything more than a slight pressure.
The doctor will make a small cut through the cornea to reach the lens and remove it.
The doctor will place the artificial lens in place of the natural one.
State-of-the-art ophthalmological technology allows the cut to heal by itself, without the need for stitches.

Since the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, you can go home in less than an hour, but you need someone to accompany you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you prepare for the artificial lens implant?

To prepare you for the surgical procedure, the doctor:

Will prescribe you eye drops, which you should apply a few days before the surgery
Will ask you to stop taking any medication treatments
Will tell you to stop wearing contact lenses a few days before the procedure.

What are the risks of the surgery?

Any surgical procedure involves a certain degree of risk. Complications after the artificial lens implant are rare, but you might notice redness or inflammation. In some cases, there is even the risk of hemorrhage or infection.

More serious complications include:

Dislocation of the artificial lens (when the implant moves from its desired position)
Retinal detachment (occurs when a layer of nerve cells separates from the back part of the eye)
Loss of vision

There is also the risk of developing a vision problem weeks or even years after the surgery, when the tissue around the new lens becomes cloudy and vision becomes blurred. This condition is called posterior capsule opacification or secondary cataract. In this case, a laser surgery can be performed to regain the quality of vision.

What recommendations are there after surgery?

Complete healing takes about 2-3 months. During this time, it is recommended:

To protect your eye as much as possible – with sunglasses during the day and with a light-blocking mask at night.
To try as much as possible not to scratch your eyes or press on them or apply pressure, even if you feel itchy.
To apply the eye drops prescribed by your doctor. You will use them for several weeks, to help with the healing of the eye.
To avoid strenuous physical exercises or lifting heavy weights. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume them.

From what age can an artificial lens implant be performed?

The ophthalmological surgery can be performed after the first year of life.

Performing such a procedure on infants is still under research. So far, studies have recorded an increased risk of complications and the need for additional surgical interventions.

For the ophthalmological conditions of young children, it is initially recommended to use glasses or contact lenses, and only afterwards, the artificial lens implant.

The Dr. Holhoș Ophthalmology Network is present in Cluj-Napoca, Turda, Sibiu, Mediaș, and Alba-Iulia, with top specialists and state-of-the-art equipment. If you are facing a vision problem, schedule an examination and leave it in the hands of the country’s best ophthalmologists.