Can an IOL be removed and replaced?
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are implanted in many people as part of cataract surgery to correct the clouding of the lens that comes with aging. But what happens if you don’t like the results or you have complications?
In some cases, an IOL can be removed and replaced, but this doesn’t mean you should automatically expect it to happen or assume your surgeon will offer it as an option. Here’s what you need to know about IOL removal and replacement.
What is IOL Surgery
One of your eyes has cataracts, but you don’t need to have surgery. A cataract is a clouding of your
eye’s lens, which can cause blurry vision. Cataract surgery involves removing your lens and replacing
it with a clear plastic one called an intraocular lens (IOL). You may not need to remove your entire lens
for cataract surgery.
What Are Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
Implanted during what’s known as IOL surgery, these lenses are often used to correct vision problems,
such as nearsightedness. During a procedure called phacoemulsification—which uses ultrasonic energy
to break up intraocular lens—the eye surgeon places a tiny plastic disc behind your iris to replace your
natural lens. Though these implants usually last for years, they can sometimes come loose or cause
side effects, requiring that they be removed through phacoemulsification.
Can an Intraocular Lens Be Removed?
Some surgeons believe that, in certain situations, intraocular lenses can be successfully re-used.
However, there is debate about whether or not a lens can safely be removed and then repositioned.
An Intraocular Lens (IOL) is a small plastic device that is inserted into your eye during cataract surgery.
IOLs help to provide clear vision by reducing or correcting your refractive error—the problem of light
focusing incorrectly on your retina due to a change in your cornea or lens. The most common
intraocular lenses are acrylic because they tend to have a high refractive index, meaning light bends
easily around them, which helps to focus images sharply on your retina.
Types of Cataract Surgeries
An intraocular lens (IOL) is a transparent or clear lens that can be implanted during cataract surgery.
There are many different types of IOLs in today’s market. For example, toric lenses can correct
astigmatism in addition to correcting nearsightedness or farsightedness; multifocal lenses can provide
excellent vision at all distances (i.e., reading, computer work, distance driving); accommodating
lenses allow wearers to read without glasses; etc. Some surgeons say they occasionally remove one
type of IOL to replace it with another type of IOL due to complications from surgery such as glaucoma
or retinal detachment.
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