LENSECTOMY

This procedure may correct any degree of short or long sight no matter how severe. Lensectomy is the removal of the natural lens of the eye and its replacement by a new, artificial focusing lens. The new lens is smaller than a fingertip and is inserted through a keyhole incision into the space previously occupied by the natural lens.

Lensectomy is similar to cataract surgery. It is appropriate for persons older than about 45 who are too short or long sighted for LASIK. It may sometimes also be used for very long sighted persons younger than 45. The procedure may be done under local or general anaesthetic. Astigmatism is corrected during the same procedure using a technique called ‘astigmatic keratotomy’.

Medicated eyedrops are necessary for a few weeks after insertion. The correction is permanent. The new lens is normally invisible inside the eye.

As with all vision correction procedures there is a small risk. This subject will be discussed in detail before you decide to have treatment.

In this very short sighted eye the
image is focused in front of the retina

In Lensectomy the natural (grey) lens of the eye is removed
and replaced by an artificial (blue in this drawing) intraocular lens.
The image is now focused onto the retina