Has your eye doctor recommended cataract surgery to restore your vision? Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, are used during cataract surgery to bring back the clarity you lost to cataracts.
The new IOL makes it easier to recognize faces and perform regular activities like reading, cooking, and driving with ease. But will these lenses permanently correct your vision, and will they need to be replaced?
Keep reading to learn more about how long intraocular lenses last.
What are Intraocular Lenses?
Intraocular lenses are transparent, synthetic lenses that replace the natural lens of your eye. They can be made of acrylic or silicone and are used during cataract surgery.
A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. Over time, it can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, halos and glare, double vision in one eye, and increased sensitivity to light.
When cataract symptoms begin to disrupt your daily routine, your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is an effective way to eliminate cataracts permanently and restore clear, sharp vision.
The quick outpatient procedure entails removing the cloudy natural lens of the eye and implanting an intraocular lens in its place. Intraocular lenses are designed to remain in your eyes for life and don’t require any maintenance.
Which Intraocular Lens is Right for You?
The intraocular lens you pick can considerably impact your vision and quality of life after cataract surgery. Before your cataract procedure, you’ll have to choose an IOL.
Your cataract surgeon can help you select the best IOL for your vision goals, eyes, and lifestyle. The two main types of intraocular lenses are standard and premium.
Standard or monofocal IOLs offer clear vision at only one distance. So, if you select far-away vision, you’ll require visual aids like reading glasses to see at other uncorrected distances.
Standard IOLs are usually covered by insurance. Premium lenses provide more advanced vision correction, significantly decreasing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Insurances don’t cover these IOLs, so you’ll need to pay out of pocket. Patients with premium lenses often find the benefits of these IOLs well worth the additional cost, as they offer more visual freedom.
How Long Do IOLs Last?
Intraocular lenses are permanently implanted in your eyes and designed to last a lifetime. However, in rare cases, they may need to be replaced or repositioned due to various reasons, such as:
IOL Dislocation
Your IOL can shift from its intended position days or years after your cataract procedure. Intraocular lens dislocation can happen if the capsular bag that holds your IOL in position weakens.
It can also occur if the fibers that support and suspend the bag and lens inside your eye become weak or break, causing the lens to move out of position. Eye trauma or injury is another cause of lens dislocation.
While some people experience symptoms after lens dislocation, others never have any symptoms and only discover they have a dislocated IOL during a routine eye exam. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your eye doctor:
- Double or blurred vision
- Seeing the edge of the lens
- Double vision in one eye
- Glare and halos
- Eye discomfort or pain
Treatment for lens dislocation may include repositioning your IOL or removing the old lens and replacing it with a new one.
Refractive Surprise
You might experience a refractive surprise after your cataract procedure. Refractive surprise occurs when your new intraocular lens doesn’t correct your refractive error as intended.
Your vision may be either overcorrected or undercorrected. Causes of refractive surprise include inaccurate preoperative measurements and surgically induced astigmatism.
The final position of the new lens in your eye could also differ from what was anticipated, leading to a refractive surprise. You may notice the following symptoms if you have a refractive surprise:
- Blurred vision
- Visual discomfort
- Unexpected need for eyeglasses or contact lenses
If you suspect you have a refractive surprise, make an appointment with your eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis. They may recommend surgery to exchange your IOL with a new one.
How Can You Lower Your Risk of IOL Problems?
Advanced technology and an experienced surgeon can decrease the likelihood of IOL problems. While cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure, cutting-edge technology enhances the procedure, making it even more accurate, safer, and effective.
Advanced technology allows for more precise eye measurements and IOL power calculations. Enhanced accuracy ensures the best lens selection and proper IOL placement, resulting in fewer complications and optimal visual outcomes.
At VisionFirst Eye Center, we offer a combination of experience, expertise, advanced technology, and personalized treatment, enabling greater precision and optimal visual outcomes for cataract surgery.
Are you experiencing vision problems due to cataracts? Schedule your appointment at VisionFirst Eye Center in Birmingham, AL, today to determine if it’s time for cataract surgery and the best intraocular lens for you.
