Lens surgery
Eye surgery that helps to improve eyesight is known as vision correction or refractive surgery. There are two types, namely laser eye surgery and lens surgery.
Both surgeries can help you be less dependent on contact lenses or glasses. Research indicates that both types of surgeries are effective and safe. Refractive surgery depends on many things, including eye health, eyesight, age, lifestyle, and budget. The surgeon will study your eyes and provides you with the best option.
What is lens surgery?
Lens surgery involves surgically replacing the eye’s lens with an artificial implant or intraocular lens (IOL). There are two primary types of lens surgery, phakic intraocular lens surgery (PIOL) and refractive lens exchange (RLE).
Phakic intraocular lens implantation (PIOL)
PIOL surgery places artificial lenses in your eyes without extracting the natural lenses, like building contact lenses in your eyes. Since the lens is inside your eyes, you won’t be able to do normal things like swimming or other water sports.
PIOL is a good option for underage people for eye laser surgery. The surgeon will make a small cut in the eye’s surface and slips the artificial lens through it, and the procedure requires no stitches.
PIOL risks
The surgeon will discuss the possible side effects and risks with you before the surgery. Some vision disturbances are normal after PIOL surgery, and they will gradually be back to normal on their own. The eye’s surface might feel uncomfortable for a certain time; you may also develop red blotches on the eye’s white part for a few weeks. Severe complications are rare and treatable, even if they do appear. There are chances of developing cataracts earlier in life after PIOL surgery.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
RLE is similar to cataract surgery; the surgeon will remove the natural lenses and replace them with an artificial ones. RLE is more suitable for older adults (when you are not eligible for laser eye surgery) who have high eye prescriptions or are in the beginning stage of cataracts.
There are two types of RLE artificial lens:
- Monofocal: The lens helps to improve your distance sight, but you probably need to wear glasses for work
- Multifocal: The lens helps to improve distance, near, and middle vision
RLE risks
Mostly, people might have a few visual side effects and discomfort for weeks or months after the surgery, which will gradually settle down on its own. Severe complications are more likely to happen in RLE than in laser eye surgery or PIOL surgery. The surgeon will explain the risks before you take part in the surgery.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022