A decline in our vision is something that happens to most of us as we get older it's a fact of age...
Clear Lens Exchange Surgery
Refractive lens exchange treatment from the UK's leading surgeons
What does this treatment involve?
CLE is when the natural lens is removed and an implant put in its place (similar process to that of a cataract operation but in this case the patient’s natural lens is clear)
When would this be recommended?
This treatment is suitable for those over the age of 45 where the lens has often started changing and will naturally age further with time. There is no upper age limit and no prescription limitations
This is done for people who have very high and complicated prescription that are not suitable for Laser or Implantable contact lenses treatment.
Can this treatment correct my distance and near vision?
Yes; if you are found to be suitable for the state of the art multifocal implant then both distance and near vision can be corrected.
What does the surgery involve?
Surgery takes 20 minutes per eye and due to British standards both eyes cannot be treated at the same time (usually a gap of 1-2 weeks where a normal contact lens can be worn on the untreated eye). Surgery is the modern phacoemulsification method which is stitch free and injection free. Like with the other surgeries available, anesthetic is in the form of drops.
Is it safe?
Most definitely. CLE is as safe as other surgical refractive procedures. Advanced Vision Care utilizes the latest technology and safety management protocols to ensure this.
How long will the lens implant last?
A lifetime. The material from which the lenses are made have been subject to accelerated ageing tests. Results have demonstrated that the lens material will last in excess of 150 years before showing signs of degradation.
Do I have to stop any medication prior to surgery?
This will be discussed at your initial assessment as the surgeon will advise you which medications can continue as normal and which have to be temporarily stopped.
Are there any restrictions after surgery?
It is recommended you avoid any situation where you might be hit in the eye and you should try not to rub your eyes. It is OK to bend and do light physical activities almost immediately after the operation. Normal activities and past times can usually be fully resumed after about three weeks.
What is a multifocal lens implant?
Traditional monofocal implants focus light to only one point in space. A multifocal lens has more than one point of focus enabling the patient to see distance, intermediate and near. It has revolutionized the possibilities after surgery.
Are they similar to varifocal glasses?
No. This system is much more precise and specialist. You do not need to move your head to adjust the focus and can comfortably see distance and near due to the complex nature of the optics involved.
Is it a problem if I have tried varifocal contact lenses before and did not get on with them?
No. Again the optics are so different it is not possible to compare varifocal contact lenses with this multifocal implant. Many patients who have been unsuccessful with contact lenses or varifocal glasses have successfully had this treatment with outstanding results.
What are the disadvantages of multifocal implants?
There are 2 minor disadvantages, which, in those who have had the treatment, nearly always say they are outweighed by the benefits. These are night vision glare (which the brain does adapt to a certain extent) and the need for magnification (usually in the form of off the shelf ready readers) for long periods of close work and computer work.
What if I am found to be unsuitable for multifocal implants?
You can still have CLE treatment with a monofocal (distance only) implant. This results in a low, equal prescription for reading in each eye. This still gives you the advantage of surgery for life as you cannot develop cataracts in the future
Welcome to a new world of bold colours in sharp focus
Cataracts worsen over time but the deterioration in your sight is so gradual that you may not notice what you have lost until your lifestyle begins to suffer and your appreciation of the beautiful things in life diminishes. And life is too short for that. Our patients tell us that following cataract surgery they feel as if they have stepped through a door to a whole new world.
What is a cataract?A cataract is a clouding that forms in the natural lens of the eye. This clouding is due to denaturation of the protein in the natural lens of the eye. The most common cause is age related but it can be caused by long term exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation or the secondary effects of diabetes. A cataract is experienced as cloudy, blurred vision, poor night vision, loss of colour intensity, frequent eye glass prescription changes and other troubling symptoms. The loss of transparency of the lens may be so mild that vision is hardly affected, or so severe that no shapes or movements are seen, only light and dark.
TreatmentYou should consider having the refractive lens exchange surgical procedure when your vision is so bad that it hinders your lifestyle to the extent that you are unable to read or drive. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure all over the world and as such it is extremely safe and effective. The Advanced Vision Care refractive lens exchange surgeons are hugely experienced in this field and have performed thousands of successful procedures. They will explain the various types of lenses available and recommend the most appropriate refractive lens exchange procedure for your needs.
Clear Lens Exchange Procedure
Clear or refractive lens exchange procedures usually last about 30 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic (eye drops). There are no stitches, so you can return home the same day after an hour of recovery.
Clear Lens Exchange / Presbyopic lens exchange ( CLE with IOL )This is similar to cataract treatment. Due to the latest advances in technique, technology and the availably of miniature and high quality lenses, refractive lens exchange is performed on younger patients to improve the quality of life without glasses.
Indications
1.Patient not suitable for Laser or Implantable contact lenses ( ICL ) - High complicated
prescriptions, thin cornea, corneal abnormality like keratoconus etc.
2. Myopia or Short sightedness up to -23 D
3. Hyperopia or long sightedness up to +11 D
4. Astigmatism up to + 5 D
Technique
Micro or Small Incision, No Stitch, Foldable Lens, Phacoemulsification done under eye drops (topical Anaesthesia)
Unlike Many other NHS or private hospitals which use injections under the eye for this procedure, AVC international surgical team uses only eye drops for numbing your eyes so that recovery is faster and more convenient to the patient (Topical Anaesthesia)
A small incision of 2 mm is made in the Cornea (the transparent part of the eye) and the lens matter is removed with the latest machine by Phacoemulsification (ultrasound). Once the lens matter is removed, a miniature foldable lens to correct the prescription in inserted in the lens bag. No stitches are placed in the incision as they are self sealing.
The lensesAVC uses Be spoke, personalised lenses for each patient with latest technology. The lenses are available to correct high, complicated prescriptions with astigmatism
Monofocal lenses ( IOl ) - To correct prescriptions without astigmatism. Patients need to wear reading glasses.
Toric or Astigmatic Lenses (Toric IOL) - To correct prescriptions with astigmatism. Patients need to wear reading glasses after this procedure.
Monovision --- Used for patients who have tried this method successfully. The dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non-dominant eye is corrected for reading, Useful for patients wearing varifocal or multifocal glasses.
Multifocal lenses --- Used for patients who wear varifocal or multifocal glasses or for whom the monovision method is not applicable. AVC uses Alcon, Zeiss and Rayner lenses made bespoke for each patient needs. Compared with other clinics in UK, AVC are leaders and has excellent track record as every patient undergoes vigorous clinical screening process and data collection.
What is Bioptics??Sometimes if the prescription is very high or complicated, Lens exchange alone will not correct the whole prescription as there is a limit for lens strengths. These patients will need a two stage procedure to correct their refractive error—Lens exchange with IOL followed by Laser treatment - this is called “Bioptics”. The surgeon will advise you on consultation.
