Eye Lens Replacement Surgery

[floppybit]

Has anyone had this done? I have enquired with Optical Express about laser eye surgery and they said that it wouldn’t be suitable and I would probably need lens replacement instead. I have an appointment for a consultation in a few weeks. I googled the procedure and it sounds a bit grim, not sure if im better off just sticking with the glasses. Im 50 btw.

Dh had it done maybe about 10yrs ago.He has 20/20 vision The best decision and money he’s ever spent. I had laser and I wish I had lens replacement.

I did both eyes about 18 months ago. I had to get 2 other procedures afterwards as I had some issues, but it was all included in service. For me, it was so worth it and I wish I'd got it done years ago.

I had it because of cataracts and it's like a miracle has taken place. I can see the smallest of print and I never need glasses now. Completely changed my life 😃

I had it done around 10 years ago after a lifetime of contact lenses & glasses. The best money I have ever spent - I still have perfect vision.

My friend had it at 48 as she was too old for laser. It’s been fantastic for her and it sounded like it’s just as straightforward as the laser my husband had - plus no cataracts when she’s old!

Worth every penny, the op isn’t a laugh a minute but it’s not to bad no pain just weird. I do not wear glasses at all now.

Can you please comment where you had this operation done if successful?

Spire hospital southampton

They do the same thing with cataract surgery. I was incredibly short-sighted ("Can't see the chart without glasses" short-sighted) I had mine done together under GA, and when I woke up I could see the clock on the opposite wall for the first time in over 60 years. Go for it! As mine was done on the NHS, I have mono-focus lenses; but if you can afford it go for vari-focal.

I would love to proceed with this but then I ask myself, why do the consultants themselves not have it done, there is always a slight chance of it going wrong - there are stories out there and it would be totally life changing for the wrong reasons. I’d totally do it if I could reverse it if it went wrong…

yes had it done due to cataracts at Morefields. Amazing - like a miracle. My crap eyesight suddenly fixed and no longer need glasses. Absolutely the best thing. I love my bionic eyes.

The procedure is the same as cataract surgery. Standard procedure is to put in lenses that give you clear distance vision, but you need reading glasses. If you want good distance and close reading you will need to either have one eye done for reading and one for distance, or pay extra to get varifocal/adaptive replacement lenses put in. If you currently have astigmatism then you need to ask about correcting that as well. After surgery you may get a cloudy coating over the new lenses, but this can be removed by a very quick laser procedure. The op itself is normally 10-15 minutes per eye and very easy.

Wow, loads of positive responses!!

This is the reason I’ve been hesitant - the thought of making myself blind with a procedure I can live without!

@somewhereintheworld @EnterQueene
Did you have it done privately and get varifocal lenses inserted?

It's slightly more risky as you're delving deeper into the eyes, so there is a higher risk of infection and inflammation at the front and back of the eye.

It's generally very successful. However, if you're thinking about the varifocal lens correction, try it in contact lenses fit - biofinity multifocals are the closest to most of the IOL multifocals.

I don't know about this, but cataract surgery is much the same and is one of the safest operations. They don't even do a follow up - they leave that to the optician. And if it does go wrong, they can normally put another lens in. Have a Google re the stats.

My father had this, followed by YAG laser treatment. His eyesight was better than mine afterwards.

DIL (33) is an optometrist and wears glasses. She says she won't have laser eye surgery, but will have this done when she's older.

Laser and lense replacement are completely different things for different problems and having laser surgery doesn’t mean you can’t have lense replacements later.

The suggestion to try contact lenses first is a good one. Hadn’t considered it.

It’s very important that you only do - eye at a time. Some firms will say it’s safe to do both together (it’s cheaper for them) but best practice is to do them at an interval.

Most people require cataract surgery as they age and this means you never need that done. You just get to dump glasses!

Yes I know that and I know people who had laser then lens replacement. I’m just a bit reductant to have something else done to my eyes even though it perfectly safe to do so.

Exactly the reason I've been dithering about lens replacement surgery.

Currently I wear RGP (hard) contact lenses - one for distance, one for reading - and they give me very good sharp vision, but I would love to be able to get up in the morning and go to bed at night without having to swap my lenses for glasses.

This is great advice. I have reading glasses and a separate pair for driving. It does feel like I need stronger and stronger reading lenses each year, according to Specsavers ("savers"... ha!)

I'm interested in trying multifocal contact lenses. I didn't get on with varifocal glasses myself as they made me feel quite dizzy but I know they work really well for lots of people.

I'm wondering whether the contact lenses feel different to the glasses?

How much does the corrective lens replacement (possibly verifocal) cost?

@floppybit thank you for this thread.