Cataract surgery
About cataract surgery
Cataract surgery provides an opportunity to not only improve distance vision but also help you to focus up close more easily. Cataract surgery requires a lens implant.
Modern cataract surgery is a very safe procedure, with approximately 300,000 procedures being performed every year in Australia.
Everyone develops cataracts as they age. The average age for cataract surgery is approximately 73 years.
In addition to the development of cataract, as people age their ability to focus for near decreases. This process is called presbyopia.
Lenses
Lenses can be chosen for distance vision or 'mini monovision' with one lens focused for distance and the other focused for intermediate vision. These days, the most commonly used type of intraocular lens is an extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF).
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses is a new technology in the treatment of presbyopia. They create a single elongated focal point, to enhance depth of focus. These lenses can be implanted to alleviate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. An ideal EDOF IOL would provide focus for driving but also for intermediate tasks such as using a computer.
Often people have corneal astigmatism which means the front surface of their cornea is more like the surface of a rugby ball rather than a soccer ball. Astigmatism can usually be improved by using a toric lens which will compensate for the patient’s unusual corneal curvature. Toric lenses may be chosen for distance or they may also have an extended depth of focus design.
The chances of people seeing as well as possible for distance without any distance correction is approximately 85 – 90%.
Some patients may still need glasses for distance and/or near for specific tasks such as driving at night or reading very small print. The risk of a sight threatening complication is approximately one in 500 to one in 1000.
Clear lens extraction
Many adults have worn glasses since they were young and would dearly love to be able to see to drive or to use a computer without spectacle correction. Surgery may be performed to remove the human lens and replace it with an acrylic intraocular lens, the same as you would have inserted for cataract surgery. If you do not have a cataract this procedure is known as a clear lens extraction (CLE).
Clear lens extraction can have a very beneficial effect upon people’s lives. The option of either extended depth of focus lenses or mini monovision improves patients’ vision, both the distance and for near.
The essential difference is that clear lens extraction, unlike cataract extraction, is not covered financially either by private health insurance or Medicare rebates.