What types of artificial lenses are there?

Cataracts are one of the few eye diseases that can be cured immediately today. If previously the clouded lens was simply removed, and the person was forced to wear strong glasses for the rest of his life in order to see anything, then modern medicine has successfully solved this problem. Cataract removal is an operation in which the lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial optical lens.

Properties and types of artificial lenses

Like any pathology, cataracts in the early stages are easier and faster to remove surgically. But before the day of surgery is scheduled, the doctor must correctly select the intraocular lens (IOL) that best suits the individual.

Artificial lenses that replace the lens differ in their capabilities and have different optical properties. They are made from soft polymer materials, they do not cause rejection and almost completely restore the quality of vision. Replacement of the eye lens in Moscow, the price may vary in different clinics. The doctor will decide which lens is more suitable for the patient in terms of its capabilities.

Types of IOLs by refractive power

Differ in their shape.

• Spherical. They have a regular geometric shape, which is why the refraction of light in different parts of the lens occurs with unequal strength. Only central vision works without distortion. At the periphery, the image appears unclear, with halos and glare.
• Aspherical. They repeat the shape of the eyeball, which allows you to see equally clearly with both central and lateral vision. Replacing the lens with this intraocular lens significantly increases the contrast and brightness of the picture seen.

Types of IOLs depending on corrective properties

They differ in the method of correction.

• Monofocal. They have only one focus, set for long distances. A person will have to additionally use glasses for reading and working on a computer, as with hypermetropia. These lenses are the most common when replacing the lens of the eye, as they provide excellent quality of distance vision, in any lighting conditions.
• Multifocal. They are a complex optical product with several focuses. Allows you to see equally well both far and close. But between focuses the image clarity decreases. The EDOF multifocal lens with extended depth of focus does not have this disadvantage.
• Toric. Thanks to special cylinders built into them, these multifocal lenses correct astigmatism in addition to myopia and farsightedness. Changing the refractive power in certain areas allows a person to see equally clearly both near and far, without any disturbance.

Types of artificial lens materials

When prescribing surgery to replace the lens of the eye for cataracts, the price may depend not only on the type of IOL, but also on the material from which it is made. Most modern lenses are made from acrylic, a polymer material with good optical properties.

• Hydrophobic acrylic was developed specifically for the production of artificial lenses. Lenses made from it are characterized by increased strength, elasticity, take root well, and repel water.
• Hydrophilic acrylic was originally intended to be used for the production of contact lenses. Therefore, the lens made from it is soft and less durable than from a hydrophobic one, but it copes with its task perfectly. The hydrophilic lens interacts well with water.

If a person has contraindications for cataract surgery, the lens replacement procedure is postponed until such restrictions are lifted. Implantation of a properly selected intraocular lens allows a person to return normal vision and save him from wearing glasses or contact lenses.

The main thing is to know what you can and cannot do after replacing the lens of your eye.

• The very next morning after the operation, you can remove the special patch and begin instilling medications prescribed by your doctor into the eye.
• In the first days, the patient may experience a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the eye. Under no circumstances should you rub it, so as not to introduce an infection into the micro-tear, which will gradually heal.
• You will have to limit physical activity, refuse some household activities, for example, do not approach the stove when it is on, do not tilt your head down. The doctor will definitely voice all the restrictions that must be strictly observed.

Gradually, the previous quality of life will be restored, but the entire rehabilitation period must be supervised ophthalmologist.

How the artificial lens is selected and replaced

Lens replacement surgery is performed in many private and public clinics. A list of manufacturers of intraocular lenses is usually posted on the clinic’s website or in its price list, so you can always compare the price of an eye lens from the American Alcon with lenses from domestic manufacturers and choose the most suitable option.

Since cataracts can only be cured through surgery, this operation is included in the compulsory health insurance system. You should begin preparing the necessary documents by visiting an ophthalmologist at the district clinic. You can find out which lenses are installed under compulsory medical insurance at the medical institution where the referral for hospitalization and cataract treatment will be issued.

• The doctor conducts a biometric examination of the patient’s eyes to determine refraction and find out the parameters of the eye:
  • diameter, radius, thickness and curvature of the corneal surface;
  • eye axis length;
  • size of the anterior eye chamber.
• Based on the data obtained, the ophthalmologist calculates the IOL parameters and sets the day of surgery.

If for some reason the patient is not satisfied with the domestic intraocular lens, he can pay for an American artificial eye lens at the cost indicated in the clinic’s price list.

The IOL is selected individually for each patient. After all, the goal of cataract surgery is to restore full vision to the patient.