Lens Implants | Lens Replacement

RLR Surgery utilising the Accommodative Lens Implant

RLR Surgery utilising the Accommodative Lens Implant

The accommodative lens which is manufactured by Human Optics AG is the latest lens developed for RLR surgery. A healthy eye is able to change its shape in order to accommodate clear vision. The ability to “accommodate” deteriorates as we get older. Most artificial lenses, which are used for lens replacement surgery are rigid and cannot change their shape like the natural lens. As a result of this patients generally have to wear glasses after cataract or lens implant surgery. This disadvantage is overcome by means of the accommodative lens, which is able to maintain the accommodation on an artificial basis. This crystalline lens enables the patient to focus on far as well as near images.

Advantages associated with this lens can be summarised as follows:

The lens has accommodative capabilities
Clear vision is achieved at most distances.
Excellent contrast sensitivity can be obtained.
The glare or halo effect, experienced as a result of other surgical interventions is minimised.

The accommodative lens has been successfully implanted since the middle of year 2000. The accommodative lens is known to give excellent results with good far, near and intermediate vision, generally without the use of glasses.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: How safe are all the mentioned RLR Procedures?

A: RLR uses new technology combined with a well proven surgical procedure. Every year millions of people undergo cataract surgery, in which the lens is replaced with a lens implant, using the same surgical techniques as those required for RLR.

As with all surgery there are risks, even though cataract surgery is now considered one of the quickest and safest surgical interventions available. RLR is the same procedure in a non-cataract patient. The most common risks associated with RLR are: Retinal Detachment 0.01 % Infection - 0.03%; Macular Oedema; Floaters, Glare or haloes; Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO), which can quickly be dealt with by means of an outpatient YAG laser treatment. Other possible complications include tearing of the lens capsule (less than 1%).

Q: Do I need to be Hospitalised for any of the mentioned Surgical Interventions?

A: No, all of the mentioned procedures are performed on a day surgery basis. The patient stay in the surgical clinic is normally less than 4 hours.

Q: Is the Procedure performed under General Anaesthetic?

A: No, all the mentioned procedures are normally performed under local anaesthetic. In some instances the patient or the ophthalmic specialist may prefer to have the operation performed under a general anaesthetic.

Q: Is it possible to correct Presbyopia using Lasers? E.g. LASIK?

A: No. Laser vision correction changes the curvature of the cornea. As presbyopia is the deterioration of the eye’s ability to focus, surgery to the cornea will not correct this. However presbyopia can be corrected by means of RLR surgery utilising PRELEX or ACCOMMODATIVE lenses.

Q: What advantages are associated with RLR in comparison to LASIK?

A:

Suitable for people with thin corneas or very high prescriptions.
If the patient is already in their 40s or 50s, RLR vision correction will remain stable over time; whereas LASIK patients can still go on to develop presbyopia as they age.
You will never require cataract surgery later in life.