What is the scientific name for replacing the lens of the eye? The operation to replace the lens of the eye, how long does it take. Benefits of modern sutureless cataract surgery

It seems that the replacement of the lens of the eye has always been. In fact, an artificial lens appeared only in the middle of the last century, and in our country even later. Nowadays, lens replacement surgery has become a common eye-saving procedure. And the appearance of the current lens is radically different from the one with which the crystal epic began. The RG columnist talks about this with a student of the great scientist, doctor Svyatoslav Fedorov, professor of the department of ophthalmology at the Institute for Advanced Studies of the FMBA Mikhail Konovalov.

Mikhail Yegorovich, how many operations have you personally performed to replace the lens?

Mikhail Konovalov: My total work experience in ophthalmology is 31 years. I had records when I transplanted more than 400 lenses per month. So consider how many replacements were made in total. Complications? Extremely rare: no more than one percent. These are the statistics of the world community, and we are no exception. Moreover, it is recognized that the Russian experience occupies a worthy place.

Therefore, among the applicants for help from Russian medicine, those who need a lens replacement are in the lead?

Mikhail Konovalov: Foreign patients are usually well aware of the quality of our operations. By the way, I note: the replacement of the lens for Russians is most often carried out within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance system. Before the operation, the patient and the doctor always discuss what vision will be after the operation. Will I need to wear glasses? If so, which ones: for near, for distance? Will the operation limit a person in ordinary life? Say, will it be possible to lift a heavy suitcase without a threat to vision? Do a regular run? Often, in addition to cataracts, the patient also has either myopia, or hyperopia, or astigmatism ...

Now the operation to replace the lens is done on an outpatient basis. And implantation takes 10-15 minutes

And what awaits such a patient?

Mikhail Konovalov: You will be surprised, but current technologies, current lenses allow all these problems to be solved at once: by an operation to replace the lens.

I remember your conversation with a 65-year-old patient who, let's say, is a public face. She came to see you for a lens replacement. I was struck by the demands that she made to you: she wants to see far and near equally well. And no glasses. You accepted her conditions calmly. As they later admitted, it's business as usual.

Mikhail Konovalov: Habitual. Yes, the patient has cataracts, and age-related farsightedness, and astigmatism at the same time. This means that our task is to choose exactly the lens that will allow all these defects to be corrected at once.

How? Do you need a special lens? Special technologies?

Mikhail Konovalov: Everything is important: a correct diagnosis, an accurate calculation of the capabilities of the lens itself, an accurate calculation of the operation itself.

What is required for this? Are the lenses different? It was no coincidence that I mentioned that you are a student of the great Fedorov. I caught the time when Svyatoslav Nikolaevich offered his lens, which the whole world then dubbed "satellite" ...

Mikhail Konovalov: It was also called the "Fedorov-Zakharov lens". And it all started, one might say, with a curiosity. During the battle, an English pilot received a penetrating wound to the eye: a fragment from the transparent part of the cockpit got into his eye. And then it suddenly turned out that this piece of plastic does not cause an inflammatory reaction in the eye. So the English ophthalmologist-surgeon Harold Ridley came up with the idea of creating an artificial lens from plastic. He carried out this idea. And in 1950, for the first time, he implanted a lens in a 45-year-old nurse after cataract removal. Yes, that first lens had many shortcomings: it was heavy, its implantation was very traumatic, and so on. But… the crystal era has begun. And my teacher Svyatoslav Nikolaevich Fedorov in 1960, for the first time in the USSR, successfully implanted the artificial lens he proposed. The one that was named fashionable for that time by the name "satellite". And I performed my first implantation in 1987, when I came to residency with Fedorov: I transplanted a "satellite" to an elderly man, a doctor of sciences.

Then, before implanting an artificial lens, it was necessary to remove your own - cloudy -?

Mikhail Konovalov: Not only the lens itself, but it along with its capsule. Therefore, an artificial lens had to be attached to the iris of the eye. And it's not physiological. Time passed. Technologies have changed. We switched to cataract removal, keeping the lens capsule, into which an artificial one was then implanted. And this place of residence of the lens is physiological.

Was it carried out in two stages or at the same time?

Mikhail Konovalov: Simultaneously. This is also the idea of our outstanding ophthalmologist Boris Alekseev.

Then I managed to get away from large incisions during lens transplantation to completely imperceptible punctures. Now the operation is done on an outpatient basis. And implantation takes 10-15 minutes.

Mikhail Konovalov: This is, without exaggeration, a revolution in ophthalmology. It happened in the late seventies. They tried to get away from large incisions before. They tried to destroy the diseased lens inside the eye using ultrasound. But such operations turned out to be more traumatic than operations with large incisions.

And then what?

Mikhail Konovalov: There was an improvement in technology and the artificial lens itself.

Svyatoslav Nikolaevich took the most active part in solving this problem. He sent his favorites to Germany to master new technologies ...

Mikhail Konovalov: Ranked me among Fedorov's favorites? I am proud of this, and I really flew to Germany then, and passed the training course. And Fedorov was only in appearance such a loyal person. In fact: now you have passed the training, learned a new method, proceed to operations. I started at the end of 1989. And now I have such statistics with which we started the conversation. These technologies have become the gold standard in cataract surgery.

It now takes 10 minutes to implant the lens on an outpatient basis

Are they available to everyone in need? Can a patient with a cataract go to any eye clinic and be sure that his lens will be easily changed?

Mikhail Konovalov: The word "easily" is by no means appropriate here. An operation is an operation. First of all, there must be adequately trained personnel. The clinic is equipped with modern equipment. A license is required to carry out such interventions. An eye for an eye is also needed behind the eye clinic itself.

I will add: and for us, patients. Your own vision needs to be checked from time to time.

Mikhail Konovalov: Check for both adults and children. And given our modern addiction to mobile devices, commitment to the TV screen ... This is an additional load on the eye. Trust the ophthalmologist: the eyes require attention. A child's vision should be checked at birth, at six months, a year, and before school. Even if the child does not care. Adults at least once a year. Especially if the family has relatives with eye diseases.

Business card

Konovalov Mikhail Egorovich was born in 1964 in the Abkhazian city of Gudauta. He entered the Tomsk Medical Institute. He received his medical degree from the First Moscow Medical Institute. In 1987 he entered the internship with Svyatoslav Fedorov. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor. His wife Marina is an ophthalmologist. Father of five children, grandfather of two grandchildren.

To date, the most popular types of cataract surgery are cataract phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation. Both of these surgeries are performed under local anesthesia.
Phacoemulsification of cataract with IOL implantation. The principle of the operation is that the surgeon inserts an ultrasonic instrument through cornea incisions of 2-3 mm, breaks the lens substance with it and removes its remnants by microsurgical suction. After that, an artificial lens folded into a tube is implanted into the freed lens sac, straightened and centered. The operation lasts an average of 10-20 minutes. Seams are not applied. Anesthesia is provided by preliminary instillation of anesthetic drops.

How to prepare for the operation?
After examining the eyes by the surgeon and deciding on the method of surgical intervention, the patient receives a list of necessary laboratory tests and consultations from other doctors. After all, a surgical operation of even such a small organ as the eye is a big burden for the body, and the ophthalmic surgeon must be sure that the person will survive, and his eye will heal quickly and without complications.
Antibacterial drops will be required 3-5 days before surgery to minimize the risk of eye infection.
What happens in the operating room?
Before the operation, the anesthesiologist instills drops or injects an anesthetic drug into the lower eyelid under the eye.
You will be conscious but will not feel anything due to anesthesia.
You will be invited to lie down on a couch in the operating room and covered with sterile drapes.
A sterile film is glued around the eye, the surgeon adjusts the microscope and proceeds to the operation.
Your eyelids and eyebrow will be treated with an antiseptic, then the eyelids will be fixed with a special expander to prevent involuntary blinking. If you are undergoing surgery only under the influence of drops, the ophthalmologist will definitely warn you to constantly look up at the light and not move your eye. When injected under the eye, it will be immobilized, do not worry, this will pass along with the effect of anesthesia.
After operation
A healing gel and a protective bandage will be applied over your eye. When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel mild discomfort and pain in the eye. These discomforts are relieved with painkillers. Before you are discharged home, you will be instructed on how to clean and properly apply eye drops.
How quickly will vision be restored?
Your vision will begin to improve a few hours after the operation and will be completely restored in a month. The result after the operation depends primarily on the initial state of the eye. Since the fundus is not visible behind the cloudy lens, the ophthalmologist can judge the retina and optic nerve only by the results of additional studies - tomography, perimetry (evaluation of lateral vision) and ultrasound of the eye. If you suffer from diabetes for a long time, you have glaucoma, this may worsen the prognosis and the postoperative result may not satisfy you.
Repeated examinations
Your surgeon will schedule follow-up days for you. They are needed to monitor the dynamics of eye healing and restore vision. Your ophthalmologist will also tell you when you can drive.
Will I use glasses?
If you used glasses before the operation, you will need to adjust the prescription, taking into account the postoperative result. As a rule, IOLs are selected so that the patient sees as well as possible into the distance - up to 100%. If you had myopia in the operated eye, together with the ophthalmologist you decide how much to correct your myopia in order to see well with glasses in both eyes. As a rule, in such a situation, I keep a little myopia. This will help you to still read without glasses. If your vision has always been good, they will try to restore it as much as possible. You will read with glasses just as before the operation, but change the strength of the optical glass for the operated eye. You can change the prescription 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Care after surgery
Your surgeon will advise you on restrictions from daily activities.
What can be done- Come for follow-up visits, take drops regularly, wear sunglasses outside, watch TV, do light housework
What to keep away from Rubbing and touching the eye with unwashed hands, lifting weights, standing in an inclined position for a long time, walking in windy weather, avoiding detergents in the eye
Possible Complications
Today, cataract surgery is a routine and relatively safe procedure. Your ophthalmologist has recommended that you remove the cloudy lens and install an artificial one, as the potential benefits and improvement in vision far outweigh the possible complications. But, like all surgical manipulations, cataract removal also has a number of side effects and complications.
Side effects:
Inflammation of the eye (uveitis). It is manifested by significant redness and pain in the eye. Eye drops and anti-inflammatory injections under the eye can solve this problem.
Pain in the eye: goes away on its own in a few days.
Complications:
Rupture of the capsular bag during cataract removal - in this case, a special model IOL is sutured to the iris in front of the eye.
Infringement of the vitreous body (transparent gel that fills the eye) into the lumen of the pupil. The surgeon removes it. An IOL stitched to the iris will prevent it from moving further.
Intraocular bleeding: the eye is a small organ and one drop of blood is absorbed between weeks, therefore it also requires emergency surgical care.
Postoperative infection: This is a very serious condition that threatens both the eye and the body as a whole. Requires immediate massive antibiotic therapy in a hospital setting.
Displacement of the IOL from the capsular bag. Requires surgical intervention.
Opacification of the back of the capsular bag. This process proceeds slowly, over months or years. It is manifested by compaction, thinning and loss of transparency of the capsule, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in vision, as in cataracts. This complication can be eliminated non-surgically, using a laser.

All materials on the site are prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and specialized disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative and are not applicable without consulting the attending physician.

Lens replacement surgery is a serious and technically complex surgical intervention. During the procedure, the patient is conscious and, moreover, must strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor. Its success or failure largely depends on this. Replacing the lens helps to solve only the problems associated with this organ. Often, after surgery, new diseases are discovered that prevent the full restoration of vision.

But, despite all the difficulties, lens replacement is the only radical treatment for cataracts and a number of other pathologies. This allows people with serious eye diseases, most often the elderly, to regain visual acuity and the joy of being able to see all the colors of the world, read, watch TV.

Indications for surgery

The lens is replaced, mainly when it becomes cloudy - a cataract. This is a common pathological change that occurs in old age. With this disease, objects become blurry, fuzzy. Often, myopia or, conversely, farsightedness increases and develops against the background of improved perception of close objects. The condition is constantly progressing, only timely replacement of the lens in cataracts allows you to restore vision.

The operation can also help with other age-related changes, in particular, with presbyopia of the eye. In this case, patients complain of farsightedness, which is associated with the processes of sclerosis of the lens. It becomes harder, loses its elasticity, and hence the ability to change its curvature. It becomes difficult for patients to manipulate objects near, and at the same time they have difficulty reading small print.

Lens replacement may be indicated for astigmatism. His shape and curvature are broken, as a result of which the ability to focus on the subject is reduced. Patients note symptoms such as blurring of the image, the need to squint in order to consider a particular object. The operation is used when other methods are ineffective against the background of the progression of the disease.

In recent years, lens replacement has also been practiced for myopia. The operation is an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. In most cases, with this disease, laser correction or other minimally invasive methods can be dispensed with. The operation is performed only with a high degree of myopia, aggravated by other diseases (anisometropia - a violation of symmetry in the refraction of the eyes, sclerosis of the lens, etc.).

Contraindications

The operation is not performed in the following cases:

Inflammation of the eye structures.
Small size of the anterior chamber of the eyeball. He may not allow all the necessary manipulations to be carried out.
Destruction, detachment of the retina. In this case, there is a risk of disease progression after surgery.
Small eyeball, if the decrease is due to progressive farsightedness.
Any inflammation in the active stage.
Recent heart attack or stroke.

Prosthesis selection

Physical properties

Artificial lenses or intraocular lenses can be distinguished by shape, material, refractive (refractive) characteristics, and the presence of a certain filter. The main criteria are - rigidity, the number of tricks and the ability to accommodate.

In terms of flexibility, there are:

soft;
Rigid lenses.

The latter are somewhat cheaper, but much less functional. Soft lenses roll up easily to minimize the incision for implantation.

According to the ability to accommodate, prostheses can be:

accommodating;
Non-accommodating.

The former are able to change their curvature, like a real lens of the eye, which allows the patient to completely abandon glasses after surgery. Such prostheses are much better and more convenient, but they are more expensive and are not produced in all countries.

Depending on the number of foci of vision, the following lenses are distinguished:

Monofocal;
Difocal;
Multifocal.

Each artificial lens has several foci, i.e. points at which the image has maximum clarity. The most common are bifocal prostheses. They have two focuses that allow you to see the subject clearly at two fixed distances (near and far). Objects located between these points are blurred. Multifocal lenses make it possible to focus on 3 or more distances. The smaller the number of focal points, the more often the patient will have to use glasses or contact lenses.

Manufacturing firm

Often it is also about the choice of the country of origin. The lenses will differ in price, quality, reliability. Modern patients operated in the Russian Federation can choose the following prostheses:

Denture price

The cost of prostheses can range from 20,000 to 100,000 rubles. Companies not yet well known in the market, such as Human Optics, usually offer products at a lower price than firms such as Alcon. Accommodating and multifocal lenses are the most expensive. With paid treatment, their price is usually included in the cost of the operation. It is quite difficult to order lenses on your own; companies usually work only with wholesale buyers.

Important! Prices may vary in different private medical centers! When purchasing a prosthesis from public hospitals, customers deal directly with sales representatives. When performing an operation under compulsory medical insurance, it is possible to return part of the funds spent on the purchase of an artificial lens (about 25%).

Operation progress

Before the operation, the patient will have to pass a series of standard tests. Usually hospitalization occurs the day before the proposed procedure. Recently, in hospitals and clinics, on the eve of surgery, a psychologist or specialist doctor has been working with patients, who explains in detail all the stages of prosthetics and tells how to behave. Sometimes patients are advised to practice looking at a certain point without blinking, to follow the surgeon's commands.

Immediately before the procedure, the patient is given drops with an anesthetic or an injection is made. He lies face up on the operating table. The doctor opens the anterior eye chamber, making several punctures. After that, with the help of a special suction, the contents of the lens, all cellular elements, are removed.

the procedure for replacing the lens of the eye

A tube is inserted into the chamber, in which the prosthesis is folded. In the chamber, the artificial lens expands. After that, the eye is washed, a bandage is applied to it, and the patient is placed in the ward for recovery. In rare cases, in older people, due to excitement, pressure surges during the operation, tachycardia are possible. All vital parameters are monitored during the procedure. If the doctor has any concerns, the patient is sent to the intensive care unit.

Important! It is necessary to react as calmly as possible to all the words of the surgeon and the ongoing manipulations, to avoid excitement.

Recovery period

The most important is the first month after lens replacement. During the postoperative period it is necessary:

Often it is not possible to fully return to the usual way of life in 4-5 weeks, so the restrictions are extended for several months. The main criterion is the patient's condition, the rate of eye fatigue, and discomfort.

For the rest of the subsequent “life with a prosthesis”, there are restrictions on visiting the bathhouse, overvoltage. Many patients note that the operated eye becomes more susceptible to infections - conjunctivitis, etc.

Vision change

Patients may notice the following improvements after surgery:

The contours of objects have become clearer.
Gone is the double vision, “flies” before the eyes.
All colors look more vibrant.
Improvement in visual acuity.

Important! Positive changes do not always occur immediately after surgery. Sometimes the brain needs time to adapt to new information coming from the eyes. Sometimes you need to wait for the swelling, which often occurs after surgery, to subside.

Possible Complications

Unpleasant consequences can occur both due to the fault of the surgeon or due to the patient's non-compliance with all prescriptions, and as a result of individual characteristics of the organism, previously unidentified pathologies (for example, immunodeficiency).

The most common complications include:

Edema of the cornea. Not a dangerous symptom. In the vast majority of cases, it resolves on its own within the first few days after surgery.
Secondary cataract. Sometimes deposits form on the lens that cause it to become cloudy. This largely depends on the material used. The greatest probability arises when choosing lenses made of polymethyl methacrylate. Removal of deposits is quite easy with a laser, secondary replacement of the lens in this case is not required.
Retinal detachment. This layer of the eye is very sensitive and subject to any external influences. Therefore, the operation can provoke stratification or increase its degree.
infection during surgery. This risk is not very high, since sterile instruments are used during surgery. For prevention, antiseptic drops are used, even with the development of inflammation, it is usually successfully treated with a course of antibiotics.
Increased intraocular pressure. This complication is due to lens misalignment, incomplete removal of the anterior chamber fluid during surgery, etc. If left unattended, this problem can lead to glaucoma over time. With timely diagnosis, as a rule, it is solved by using special preparations in the form of eye drops (Azopt, Betoptik, etc.).

The procedure for obtaining free medical care, the cost of the procedure

Replacement of the lens since 2012 can be done free of charge, under the compulsory medical insurance policy. It is carried out according to a quota, which means that the patient must meet a number of parameters and he will have to wait for his turn for the procedure. The first are pensioners and the disabled.

In order to qualify for surgery, its positive result must be predicted by ophthalmologists. When replacing the lens, age is not an obstacle to entering the quota, since the procedure does not use general anesthesia, which is difficult for the elderly. An argument for refusal may be the presence of concomitant diseases of the eye, which may prevent the restoration of vision.

Important! Free of charge, patients are provided only with an artificial lens of Russian production, foreign analogues must be paid for on their own.

Paid transactions have a wide range of prices. In Moscow clinics, they are carried out for 40,000 - 120,000 rubles (for one eye). The cost is affected by the chosen prosthesis, the reputation of the clinic, the experience of specialist doctors. The most popular medical centers in the capital are Excimer and the Center for Eye Surgery. They have branches in a number of Russian cities.

Operations cause fear and apprehension. Especially when it comes to eyes and visual perception of the surrounding world.

Lens replacement - removal of the natural biconvex lens and implantation of an artificial one.

The procedure is serious and requires professionalism and knowledge of the ophthalmologist from the ophthalmologist. You can't make a mistake here.

The operation entails some risk of complications, so the patient must also take the procedure seriously and do everything that the doctor requires of him.

Indications for lens replacement

Indications:

Presbyopia is age-related farsightedness. An inevitable part of aging. Around the age of 40 or 50, people notice gradual changes in their vision. Even those who previously had 20/20 vision will eventually end up using reading glasses. Toric and Trulign® accommodative lenses effectively correct this condition.
Myopia. Objects are visible near, poorly far. Myopia occurs when the eye refracts light incorrectly. The light must focus directly on the retina. With myopia, he refracts in front of her. Phakic IOLs are a way to correct refractive error.

Surgical intervention is performed with dislocation and subluxation of the lens, astigmatism.

In addition to one of the above conditions, there are a number of criteria that a patient meets to be considered eligible for lens replacement surgery. These are the following criteria:

age 21–80 years;
the cornea is in normal condition, its thickness meets the standards;
no existing infections in the eyes
the eyeglass prescription has not changed in the last 6 months;
no allergy to the anesthetic drug.

Contraindications

Surgery is not performed in the following cases:

the patient is HIV-infected;
the lens replacement candidate is taking immunosuppressants;
there is an autoimmune pathology;
installed pacemaker;
retinal detachment or a history of severe eye injury;
pregnancy and lactation period;
there are other problems associated with the organs of vision - glaucoma or uveitis;
herpes in the acute stage, hepatitis C or diabetes mellitus.

Methods for replacing the lens of the eye

Types of surgical intervention to replace the lens:

Ultrasonic phacoemulsification. This method is the most common. The surgeon will create two tiny incisions. The substance of the transparent body is destroyed by a phacoemulsifier, the emulsion is excreted through a tube. The posterior chamber of the organ remains in its original place, serves as a barrier between the iris and the vitreous body. Then the IOL is implanted.
Extracapsular extraction involves removing the lens. The doctor will make a small incision, 8 to 10 mm long, an additional incision in the lens capsule. Through these incisions, the surgeon will remove the damaged lens and place the IOL behind the iris.
Intracapsular extraction- this is the removal of the lens along with the capsule. This method was invented in the 1980s, and most doctors use new techniques to perform operations. However, in some cases, intracapsular surgery may be the right choice.

Selection of an artificial lens

Types of lenses:

Monofocal IOLs only correct problems with distance vision and are used for patients who don't mind continuing to use glasses for specific tasks such as reading. Initially, all IOLs were monofocal. These models allow you to see only at one distance. Install lenses for near, intermediate or far vision.
Multifocal IOLs- more advanced (and more expensive). It simultaneously corrects farsightedness and nearsightedness and therefore completely eliminates the need for glasses. Multifocal models require an adaptation period. It is easier to get used to them if they are installed in both eyes.
Toric IOLs are designed to correct moderate to severe corneal astigmatism.. They eliminate the need to wear vision glasses, but you will still need reading glasses. Toric lenses are not flexible, but refract light at various distances.
Trifocal. Your chosen clinic may offer trifocal lenses that are designed to provide very high resolution images with exceptional contrast sensitivity under all lighting conditions and distances.
Filtering blue light. UV rays are harmful not only to the skin, but also to the eyes. Blue light increases the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and other retinal diseases. Blue filtering IOLs have a slight yellow tint that blocks some of the harmful rays. Although they have a yellow tint, they should not interfere with color perception. However, sometimes the contrast is affected.
Phakic - a way to treat myopia. They act like regular contact lenses but provide permanent vision correction.

Preparing for the operation

Before starting treatment, the doctor will have to pass a series of tests to the patient. The ophthalmologist-surgeon will measure the depth of the eyes, the size of the pupil, and the curvature of the cornea. Analyzes:

urine;
blood for infectious diseases;
clinical blood test.

Stop wearing contact lenses a few days before the procedure. Otherwise, this will prevent the doctor from obtaining accurate parameters of the organs of vision.

A few days before the procedure, the doctor will review the patient's current drug list. Some medications prevent rapid healing and may be discontinued.

Preparation immediately before surgery:

find a friend who will take you home after the operation;
take a shower in the evening or in the morning, wash your hair;
Do not drink alcohol or smoke for 24 hours.

Before surgery to implant phakic lenses, the doctor will perform an iridotomy to prepare the organ for the new lens.

Operation progress

IOL placement is slightly different for each patient, but doctors follow the same general pattern for each procedure. The operation takes less than an hour.

Stages:

Anesthesia. Before the procedure, the patient receives general or local anesthesia. Doctors use eye drops to numb the eye. Sometimes a local anesthetic is injected into the surrounding tissue. Local anesthesia eliminates the risks associated with general sedation.
Removal of the lens. Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, the ophthalmologist will remove the natural lens.
After removing the natural lens, the surgeon treats the area with antiseptic drops, then implants the IOL. There may be some changes in the procedure. Once inside the eye, the IOL will open and assume a permanent position.

In most cases, the incisions heal on their own. However, if they are large, the doctor may put in a few tiny, absorbable stitches.

rehabilitation period

In order for the recovery period to be successful during the rehabilitation period, you must adhere to the following rules:

Avoid swimming for a week after the procedure.
Refrain from contact sports for a month, non-contact sports (such as jogging or going to the gym) can be resumed the day after the procedure, but do not overexert yourself, as high blood pressure will interfere with a quick recovery.
Avoid touching your eyes and keeping them free of smoke, dust, or sweat for a month to prevent any infections.
To reduce the risk of eye fatigue, try not to watch TV for too long and refrain from prolonged periods of computer work.
Avoid driving for several days after surgery.

To make healing faster, use anti-inflammatory drops that were prescribed by an ophthalmologist-surgeon.

Complications

Lens replacement surgery is extremely safe and has very high success rates, up to 88% of patients achieve 20/20 vision. However, like any procedure, it has some side effects that the patient should be aware of before deciding on treatment.

Temporary side effects:

blurred vision;
bruising around the eyes;
mild headache;
sensation of a foreign body;
increased photosensitivity.

Discomfort is usually minimal and can be controlled by the patient with eye drops and over-the-counter pain medications.

In addition to short-term side effects, there is a small risk of developing serious complications as a result of lens replacement surgery. These include:

Opacification of the posterior capsule. This is a complication that causes the back of the lens capsule (which holds the new artificial lens in the correct position) to thicken, resulting in blurred vision.
eye infection. This is a rarer side effect, but is easily eliminated with a course of antibiotics. Even when doctors follow proper safety protocol, all surgical procedures carry some risk. Symptoms include inflammation, photosensitivity, and blurred vision. In some cases, additional surgery may be required.
Retinal disinsertion. In rare cases, the retina can separate from the layer underneath. If a retinal detachment is diagnosed, another operation will be required to correct it.
Cystoid macular edema- a painless condition in which retinal edema occurs and patches of fluid form.
vision loss. A rare complication, some patients may lose their sight after surgery.
Bleeding. In rare cases, tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye burst. Usually, a doctor can monitor this condition.
IOL displacement. The intraocular lens may move. During a vitrectomy, the doctor will remove fluid from the eye and reposition the lens. The gas bubble will replace the liquid until it regenerates on its own.

99% of patients are satisfied with the results of this operation, but there is a minority (1%) who cannot adapt to changes in their vision. If this happens, you can choose other lenses, change multifocal to monofocal, for example.

Complications are extremely rare. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risks:

choose a qualified doctor;
make sure the doctor uses cutting edge technology and follows safety protocol;
Be honest with your doctor about your habits, lifestyle, and medications.

How much does a lens replacement cost?

The price of prostheses ranges from 20 to 100 thousand rubles per one. The cost of a doctor's services depends on his qualifications and the price policy of the clinic.

It is difficult to choose lenses on your own; clinics usually order them and work with wholesalers. In some hospitals, the cost of lenses is included in the cost of the operation.

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The lens of the eye is a kind of lens of natural origin, which ensures that the image is focused on the retina. When it fails due to any damage to the eyeball and congenital diseases, it is replaced with an artificial one during the operation, which provides a person with good vision for many years. In some cases, such an operation may be the only way to restore lost visual acuity to the patient.

What it is?

An artificial lens () is a lens made of artificial materials that is implanted into the eyeball as a replacement for the natural one during a surgical operation. Any lens of this type consists of optical (provides good vision) and haptic (for fixing in the eye) parts.

In practice, two types of lenses are currently used:

Any artificial lens must have flexibility, durability, sufficient refractive index and absolute transparency.

Installing a soft lens can be more expensive than implanting a hard lens. However, a soft lens has many advantages and offers a low risk of complications after surgery.

Application area

The operation to replace the lens is indicated for a number of diseases of the organs of vision. It is prescribed in two cases: either at the request of the patient (if indicated), or if other means of eliminating pathologies do not give the desired results and there is a risk of complete loss of vision.

As a rule, surgery can improve the condition of the visual apparatus when:

However, there are a number of contraindications:

Too small volume of the anterior part of the eye (chamber);
membranous form of cataract;

replacement operation

Lens replacement surgery is usually performed in several stages:

It is worth noting that choosing a lens can be an extremely important stage of treatment.

Methods

There are currently three types of surgery:

Today, phacoemulsification is considered the best method. And despite the fact that such an operation is more expensive, it is better to opt for this method.

Patient preparation

Before starting a surgical operation, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies regarding the general health of the patient and the presence of other diseases. In addition, the patient is obliged to follow the instructions of the attending physician and undergo a course of treatment with special medications.

The last meal before the procedure should be no later than eight hours. Otherwise, an increase in arterial and dyspepsia is possible.

Rehabilitation

Of which, the patient must spend about five to ten days in the ward under the supervision of doctors after applying a special bandage. Usually, during the rehabilitation period of the lens replacement surgery, the patient is not bothered by pain and discomfort, otherwise pain medications may be used.

The first few days the patient must adhere to the following rules in order to avoid complications:

Regardless of the method of the operation, the patient is prescribed a number of special medications that speed up and facilitate the healing process and fix the result.

Video

conclusions

In the event that the natural lens of the eyeball is seriously damaged, there is a high risk of losing the ability to see or visual acuity is too low, a surgical operation involving the installation of an intraocular lens may be required. After it is carried out, the patient can be guaranteed excellent vision almost until the end of his life without the need to wear optical devices. However, this procedure still has a number of contraindications and the risk of complications. Therefore, the state of the visual apparatus before it should be carefully examined.