JOEUNNUN VISION CLINIC

Can Patients With ICL Undergo Cataract Surgery? Patients who have undergone ICL surgery can still receive cataract surgery. ICL is placed between the natural lens and the cornea. The procedure involves adding an extra lens into the eye while the natural lens remains. In contrast, cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens. Artificial intraocular lenses also have built-in power and can include presbyopia-correcting features. Therefore, during cataract surgery, the implanted ICL and the clouded natural lens are removed, and an artificial intraocular lens is inserted. If Cataracts Develop After ICL Surgery, Should Surgery Be Done Quickly? Yes, it is best to proceed as soon as possible. Cataracts progress gradually. If cataract symptoms appear after ICL surgery, early surgery is recommended. Because the ICL occupies additional space in the eye, the intraocular environment becomes more narrow. This increases the risk of complication...

Which cases are recommended for anterior lenses vs. posterior lenses? In fact, anterior ICL and posterior ICL provide almost the same vision-correction effect, but posterior ICL are more commonly used. What are anterior and posterior lenses? An anterior lens refers to placing the lens on top of the iris. In contrast, there is a structure called the ciliary body behind the iris, and between the ciliary body and the iris is an area called the ciliary sulcus. Inserting a lens into that space is called posterior chamber IOL implantation. Characteristics of Posterior ICL Each person has a different eye size. There is a space inside the eye, and if the lens fits perfectly into that space, it stays fixed without moving. If the eye is small but the lens is large, it will fit too tightly, and if the eye is large but the lens is small, it won’t stay fixed and will irritate the natural lens. Therefore, for posterior ICL, the eye size, eye structure, and lens size have to measured properly in orde...

What Should You Do If Cataracts Develop after Having Lens Implantation Surgery? The lens inserted during lens implantation surgery can be removed at any time. When cataracts develop, the implanted lens can be removed, and cataract surgery can be performed. In many cases, both the lens removal and cataract surgery can be done at the same time. For patients who haven’t had lens implantation, cataract surgery simply involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL). For those who had lens implantation when they were younger, the surgeon will first remove the implanted lens, then remove the cataract, and finally insert a new intraocular lens. The entire process typically takes about five additional minutes, depending on the individual. The most important factor in this surgery is choosing a surgeon experienced in both lens implantation and cataract surgery . A skilled surgeon can safely remove the implanted lens with minimal tissue damage and ensure...

What is the Difference Between Lens Implantation and Cataract Surgery? Although both procedures involve placing a lens inside the eye, they are fundamentally different surgeries. Lens implantation is performed for vision correction purposes, with the artificial lens placed in front of the natural crystalline lens. Cataract surgery, on the other hand, is required when the natural lens becomes cloudy. In this procedure, the original lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens. The types of lenses used and the surgical methods are also completely different. Cataract surgery offers a variety of lens options, such as monofocal and multifocal lenses. However, lens implantation surgery typically uses lenses designed only for refractive correction, not for replacing the natural lens.   If cataract surgery is performed too early, it may cause unnecessary discomfort, while delaying it too long can make the procedure more difficult. That is why it is important for patients to have r...

If both LASEK and Lens Implantation are Possible, Which is Better? It may be better to choose lens implantation if cost is not an issue. In cases of very high myopia, LASEK can lead to vision regression, and if a large amount of the cornea is removed, there is a high possibility of haze formation. Haze increases the likelihood of vision deterioration. On the other hand, even if myopia progresses after lens implantation, additional correction with LASEK is possible. Therefore, if cost is not an issue, it is better to choose lens implantation. Could There Be Eyes Unsuitable For Aqua ICL? Lens implantation does not affect the eye’s structures. However, sufficient space must be secured for safe insertion. If the lens vault is low, the endothelial cells can be damaged. Even if the smallest size lens is inserted, if there is still insufficient space, the lens will bend. Debris from friction can cause pigmentary glaucoma. Therefore, space is the most important factor, and measuring the space ...

What Type of Lenses are Used in Lens Implantation Surgery? There are two main types of anterior chamber lenses: Artisan and Artiflex. Artisan was the first anterior chamber lens developed. It’s made of rigid plastic, so it cannot be folded, requiring a large incision during surgery and often multiple stitches. Later, the Artiflex lens was developed. Since Artiflex is foldable, it can be inserted through a smaller incision. However, the challenge with anterior chamber lenses is that most patients don’t have enough space in the front part of the eye to accommodate the lens. To secure these lenses, the outer “claw-like” arms are used to clip onto the iris. While Artiflex offers stability by minimizing lens movement, over time, the area where the lens is attached to the iris can atrophy or even develop holes. Due to these concerns, anterior chamber lens implantation is rarely performed nowadays. What Is a Posterior Chamber Lens? A posterior chamber lens is inserted through the pupil and po...

What’s the Difference Between Lens Implantation Surgery and LASIK/LASEK? LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK are vision correction procedures that reshape the cornea to correct vision. However, many people are unfamiliar with lens implantation surgery. Lens implantation involves placing a lens inside the eye, either in front of or behind the iris. Unlike contact lenses, these implanted lenses are made from special materials that are proven to be safe for long-term use inside the eye. In fact, compared to LASIK or LASEK—which involve removing corneal tissue—lens implantation can be considered safer in certain cases. Because LASIK and LASEK involve cutting and removing parts of the cornea, complications can be difficult to reverse, and the procedure may not be suitable for people with very poor eyesight or extremely thin corneas. In contrast, lens implantation only requires a small 2.8–3 mm incision to insert the lens, making it a more flexible option in such situations. Why is ICL Expensive? ...

What Is the Difference Between ICL Surgery and Presbyopia Lens Implant Surgery? Both ICL and presbyopia lens implant surgery involve the artificial lens implantation to correct vision. However, they differ in purpose and approach. ICL surgery is primarily performed to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is especially suitable for patients with high myopia or thin corneas, who are not eligible for laser vision correction surgery. How Is the Lens Implant Procedure Performed? There are two main types of lens implant surgeries: anterior chamber lens implantation and posterior chamber lens implantation. The procedure involves creating a small 3mm incision near the edge of the cornea, through which a specialized lens is inserted and positioned between the iris and the natural lens. Presbyopia lens implantation is also known as cataract surgery or intraocular lens implantation. Unlike standard lens implantation procedures that primarily address refractive ...

What If Vision Declines After Lens Implant Surgery? Lens implant surgery is a safe and effective option for individuals with thin corneas, very high prescriptions, or irregular corneal shapes, where laser vision correction may not be suitable. When vision worsens after a vision correction surgery, it is often due to myopic regression—a condition where the cornea thickens again after being reshaped by laser. However, in the case of lens implant surgery, t here is no risk of myopic regression because the cornea remains untouched. Could Long-Term Lens Implantation Cause Problems? ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) is made from Collamer, a biocompatible material composed of a polymer of collagen and HEMA. It contains a small amount of highly purified collagen, making it safe for the human body. As the first lens material approved by the FDA, it has been proven to be both safe and effective. When Is Lens Implant Surgery Recommended? Lens implantation is typically recommended for patients who ar...

Does Corrected Vision Last a Lifetime after Lens Implantation Surgery? Many people believe that since lens implantation surgery doesn’t involve reshaping the cornea but simply placing a lens inside the eye, the resulting vision will last a lifetime. However, this isn’t always the case. Even after lens implantation, myopia can still progress, especially in individuals who had high myopia before surgery. While it’s commonly thought that myopia stops progressing after reaching adulthood, in some cases—particularly with high degrees of myopia—vision can continue to change even into adulthood. That said, such cases are not very common, and for most people, vision tends to stabilize after the age of 20, so there’s usually no major reason for concern. Is There a Risk with the Implanted Lens after Lens Implantation Surgery? After undergoing lens implantation surgery, many patients wonder whether the lens placed inside the eye could cause issues later on. The surgery is typically done to correc...