What does a Lens Exchange operation involve?
Lens Exchange involves removing the natural lens from the eye and replacing it with a tiny artificial plastic lens. This is called the intra-ocular lens implant, or IOL. The aim of the operation is to change the focus of the eye. The optical power of the lens implant is chosen so as to provide the desired post-operative focus for the eye. The operation is usually performed under a local anaesthetic using a tiny incision in the eye, about 3 mms in length, and employs a technique called phacoemulsification. Lens Exchange surgery is technically very similar to modern cataract surgery and therefore involves tried and tested techniques.
