In the treatment of cataract disease, the natural lens inside the patient's eye eventually loses transparency, decreasing the quality of vision, causing reflections from car headlights at night, and reducing the quality of color vision. In this case, the dysfunctional lens needs to be replaced with artificial lenses. These lenses (intraocular lenses) can be applied to cataract patients or to those with high eyeglass prescriptions unsuitable for laser treatment.
Applications of Intraocular Lenses
They can be recommended for patients who do not want to wear glasses yet are also unsuitable for laser treatment, commonly known as drawing in the eye. However, its most important and frequent use is in cataract treatment. The lens that has lost transparency is removed, and the operation is completed by placing the most suitable intraocular lens for the patient, restoring the eye's vision quality.
Types of Intraocular Lenses
- Lenses that allow us to see only distant distances are called monofocal (single focus),
- Lenses that allow us to see both near and distant are called bifocal (dual focus),
- Lenses that allow us to see distant, intermediate, and nearby distances are called trifocal (three-focus) lenses.
Depending on the patient's living conditions and the condition of the eye, bifocal (dual focus) or trifocal (three-focus) lenses are preferred, and thus the patient no longer needs glasses.
If the patient has astigmatism, toric lenses (astigmatism lenses) may be preferred.
Selection of Intraocular Lenses
The main aim of using intraocular lenses in cataract treatment is for the patient to return to healthy days once again, but it is also crucial that during the rest of their life, they have comfort in terms of vision because this is a non-repeatable operation. Therefore, factors that determine lens selection, such as the patient's age, profession, living conditions, habits, and hobbies, should be considered.
For example, for someone who works outdoors and is exposed to a lot of sunlight, UV (Ultraviolet) characteristic lenses are recommended, or for a patient who drives at night as part of their job, lenses that improve night vision quality should be preferred. Thus, intraocular lens selection is a condition that the patient and doctor decide together according to the patient's living conditions, in addition to a detailed physical examination. Therefore, the decision-making process is even more prioritized and important than surgery.
Innovations in Intraocular Lenses
Previously, in the treatment of cataract patients, deformed lenses were removed and replaced with monofocal, namely single-focus lenses, which only allowed the patient to see near or distant clearly. For this reason, patients continued to use glasses even after surgery because only one of the visual defects was corrected. Now, multifocal, that is, multi-focus intraocular lenses, have replaced single-focus lenses, thus correcting all visual defects at once and providing clear vision without the need for glasses.
Patients with multi-focus (smart lens) lenses can read books or see distant clearly without glasses. Trifocal lenses are the most advanced intraocular lens technology in today's medical world. They increase the quality of life of the patient by providing the closest clear vision to natural for near, intermediate, and far distances.
Considerations in Intraocular Lens Treatment
Since intraocular lens treatment is a permanent intervention, it requires a multifaceted evaluation process that the patient and doctor decide together. The treatment is not just an operation; it is a choice that determines the patient's quality of vision in the long term. For this reason, the quality of the lens used, the manufacturing company, the features offered by the lens, and the patient's expectations should be considered. The lenses used in the treatment are generally artificial lenses placed inside the eye; even though it is often confused among the public, these lenses are not intraocular contact lenses worn from the outside.
The prices of intraocular lenses vary depending on the type of lens chosen, whether it is imported or locally produced, and the technological equipment used. Instead of stating a standard price, a cost chart that becomes clear after determining the most suitable lens type for the person post-examination can be referred to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does intraocular lens treatment take, and what is the recovery process?
The treatment is usually completed with a 15-20 minute surgical procedure. The patient is discharged on the same day. The recovery process, which can vary from person to person, typically lasts between 1 to 4 weeks. The process, supported by eye drops, requires the patient to be careful and adhere closely to the doctor's recommendations.
Are intraocular contact lenses and intraocular lenses the same?
No, intraocular contact lenses are lenses worn on the eye surface for cosmetic or temporary vision support. Intraocular lenses are artificial lenses permanently placed inside the eye through surgery and are generally preferred in cataract treatment or for patients unsuitable for laser treatment.
Why do eye lens prices vary?
Prices vary based on the manufacturer brand of the lens, the number of focal points it offers, additional features such as toric, and the technological infrastructure of the hospital.
Will someone with intraocular lenses wear glasses in the future?
If other eye diseases that can develop with age or vision impairments outside the lens occur, the use of glasses for support over time may be necessary for patients with multifocal or trifocal lenses.