Refractive lens exchange & cataract surgery: no more cataracts, defective vision, presbyopia & visual aids

Multifocal lenses (MIOL) have more than one focal point, allowing vision up close, at medium distance and at a distance – without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.

A particular advantage over monofocal lenses is that MIOL lenses can also correct astigmatism.

We offer you the latest generation of lens types: Isofocal lenses (EDOF). These special multifocal lenses focus primarily on the distance and the intermediate range of vision. This works thanks to an area with extended depth of field, which makes the transition between near and far vision smoother.

This makes your viewing experience even more natural and impressive.

During the preliminary examination, an individual treatment plan is drawn up for you, which is optimally designed to cure your defective vision or eye disease.

On the day of the operation itself, your pupils will be dilated with a medication. After 30 minutes, the eye is anaesthetized with an anaesthetic drop, so that the lens replacement procedure is completely painless for you.

First, a tiny incision (2.2 – 2.4 mm) is made at the edge of the cornea. This is necessary so that the lens capsule can be opened in a circular fashion. Using modified ultrasound (phacoemulsification), the natural lens is liquefied or fragmented and suctioned out.

If you decide to use the femtosecond laser, the incision is not made with a scalpel but with high precision using the laser. In both variants, the result is that the empty lens capsule (also known as the capsular bag) remains.

The artificial lens (monofocal or multifocal lens) is then implanted through the tiny incision using an injector. The rolled lens can unfold and take the place of the natural lens. Subsequently, the substances used during the operation are suctioned out and the wound is sealed.

To avoid infections, we immediately administer an antibiotic into the anterior chamber. After the operation, you will receive appropriate eye drops, which are also intended to prevent inflammation. A protective shell protects against external influences—such as rubbing—during the first few days. Please note:

• Do not exert any pressure on the operated eye
• No physical exertion
• No visits to the swimming pool or sauna
• Read less so as not to strain your eyes too much
• Adhere to the drip schedule

The very next day we will meet again at EyeLaser Vienna or Linz for a follow-up check (appointment 1 of 2).

Just like refractive lens exchange, the artificial lens can also be replaced on an outpatient basis. If the refractive power changes or needs to be changed, a new, adapted multifocal or toric lens can be implanted. The EyeLaser eye laser centers in Vienna and Linz are happy to support you with refractive lens exchange, the renewed correction of presbyopia, and all other matters related to lens surgery and laser eye surgery.

Artificial lenses are generally designed to remain in the eye until the end of life. Unlike the body’s own lens, clouding of the lens is not possible, which means that no (new) cataract can develop. If no complications occur (such as posterior capsule opacification), the artificial lens can remain in the eye forever.

As a rule, patients are put on sick leave for two weeks after cataract surgery. This helps you to fully recover after cataract surgery or the correction of presbyopia and to avoid overstraining your eyes during the initial period. Of course, it also depends on your profession. In particular, professions that are physically strenuous and where you run the risk of your eyes being affected (even accidentally) should be avoided.

At EyeLaser, we will discuss with you individually how long you should refrain from working after the procedure and issue a corresponding sick note.

There are now various forms of multifocal lenses used to replace the natural lens. The lens is implanted via lens exchange and is decisive for how the patient’s vision is shaped after the operation. At EyeLaser, we primarily rely on multifocal lenses (MIOL) with three focal points (trifocal). With these, you can see clearly in the near, far, and intermediate ranges.

The further development of the MIOL is the so-called EDOF lens. This impresses with improved depth of field when seeing in the medium distance range and ensures even more natural transitions – similar to varifocals.

Toric lens: If the lens is toric, it can correct astigmatism as well as other visual defects.

When the natural eye lens is replaced with a premium lens, it can quickly become expensive. However, due to the clouding of the eye’s lens caused by cataracts and/or presbyopia, the operation is sometimes medically necessary. Particularly for people who cannot have laser eye surgery and wish to achieve independence from reading glasses, cost coverage by health insurance is possible if:

• Cataracts are treated with a monofocal lens (standard).
• you have a proven intolerance and therefore cannot wear glasses or contact lenses despite having defective vision.
• In some cases: You suffer from a visual impairment of more than ten diopters and a proven intolerance to contact lenses.
• In some cases: Your visual impairment is more than three diopters in both eyes and contact lenses are not tolerated.

A private co-payment when opting for the lifestyle variant is also conceivable by agreement with the statutory or private health insurance provider.

You can find out more about the cost coverage options for refractive lens replacement in the overview: Lens surgery costs.

Lens replacement is part of lens surgery and is a procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. In addition to the treatment of cataracts, this procedure is particularly suitable for people who already suffer from presbyopia, want to prevent the development of a cataract or have severe visual defects that cannot be easily treated with laser eye surgery.

The procedure for cataract surgery and lens exchange is the same. Only the reason differs. Here, the lens is not removed because it is cloudy. Rather, a visual defect is the reason—whether it be presbyopia, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism. The goal of lens exchange is to enable the patient to live a glasses-free life with clear vision.

Depending on the requirements, there are three common IOLs (artificial lenses) that can be used in the course of a lens exchange. The monofocal lens has one focal point, so reading glasses will still be necessary. The modern multifocal lens with several focal points ensures that patients can see clearly at all distances and can completely dispense with visual aids. And the latest generation of EDOF lenses with extended depth of field creates an even more natural visual experience.

Lens replacement is a procedure that usually only needs to be carried out once. The lens can then remain in the eye permanently. It also offers a long-term solution for visual defects and presbyopia. Independence from glasses and contact lenses improves the quality of everyday life. In addition, cataracts can no longer occur once the natural lens has been replaced with an artificial lens. The procedure therefore also has a preventive character.

On the day of treatment, after a final preliminary consultation, the eye is anaesthetized with eye drops so that the procedure is perceived as painless for most people. The operation then begins, during which a tiny incision is made, the natural lens is broken up and replaced with the chosen artificial lens. This usually only takes 15 to 20 minutes. After a short recovery period in the practice, you can go home the same day and the healing process begins. Many patients are already reporting a noticeable improvement in their vision.