Things to Keep in Mind When Deciding to get Intraocular Lenses or Not

February 27, 2018

For those of us that have to use contact lenses or glasses every day just to see, it’s important to know our options if we don’t feel like sticking little pieces of plastic in our eyes every day. While refractive surgery, such as LASIK is most common amongst patients that want a permanent fix to their eye problems, there is another option! Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, dip a little bit under the radar as they lack the marketing muscle that LASIK has on its side. Nonetheless, IOLs are a great solution for those suffering from cataracts or myopia (nearsightedness). Continue reading to learn more about IOLs and see if they are the right fit for you.

What is an IOL?

One could easily deduce what an IOL (Intraocular Lens) is solely based on its name. An IOL is a synthetic lens surgically inserted into the eye. As simple as it sounds, there are three varieties to choose from when thinking about IOLs as an option for you:

• Pseudophakic IOLs – This particular variety is used in cases of cataracts ranging from mild to severe. Cataracts interfere with vision by obscuring the passage of light to the eye, causing blurred vision and eventually leading to blindness. These IOLs have been found to provide clear vision.
• Phakic IOLs – Instead of replacing the blurred lens of a patient with cataracts, this variety is placed on top of a clear lens to rid the symptoms of myopia.
• Aphakic IOLs – These IOLs are used in the case when a patient has no natural occurring lens. This can be the result of eye disease or congenital disorder.

By replacing or altering the function of one’s eye lens, a patient is offered a whole new outlook on the world, literally. Speak to your optometrist today to see if you are an appropriate candidate for this procedure.