Using highly accurate measuring instruments and very sophisticated surgical procedures it is now possible to remove a defective natural lens from an eye and replace it with a soft lens implant that can restore perfect or near perfect vision.

This procedure is known as Clear Lens Replacement (CLR) surgery.

For a century or more, surgeons have had the skills to remove the lens from an eye, mainly to restore some sort of impaired and unfocused vision to cataract sufferers.

A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, vision blurs and eventual blindness occurs.

With the advent of modern computerized measuring equipment, accurate to one hundredth of a millimeter, not only can cataract sufferers have excellent vision restored but virtually any body suffering from visual impairment such as short or long sight can enjoy the benefits of lens replacement surgery.

What will the Surgeon Do?

A few days prior the operation, the surgeon will take measurements that will allow the computer to calculate the dimensions of the artificial replacement lens. This procedure is painless.

Before operating a general but light anaesthetic is administered and the surface and eye area is numbed. A very small incision is made through the surface tissue of the eye to enable the natural lens to be removed.

This is done by using an instrument that very gently sucks out the tissue and can take a little time. The surgeon then inserts the prepared soft lens implant into the eye, puts a light dressing over the area and the job is done. The process is in most cases painless.

Normally the surgeon will operate on only one eye and wait around two weeks before operating on the other as a precaution against the rare risk of a complication

Generally speaking patients are in and out of hospital in an hour to an hour and a half and suffer no more than mild discomfort.

Eye Surgery Aftercare

After removing the protective dressing the morning following the operation you will be able to drive and read without any problem – providing you remember to remove the appropriate lens from your eyeglasses!

The wonderful experience of being able to see clearly after a lifetime of wearing glasses is unforgettable and can take some getting used to.

The eye may water or have a slight itch for a while after the operation. Your surgeon will take into account this possibility and prescribe the appropriate medication.

Do not rub your eyes and do not indulge in any active exercise and avoid any heavy lifting for six weeks after the operations. By this time the eyes should have settled down to normality.

Reading and long distance sight will no longer need the aid of contacts or eyeglasses and no problems with discerning colors or night driving should be experienced.

Are There Any Risks to Eye Surgery?

As with any invasive surgical procedure there is always a small risk of infection. Should the eye become infected after the operation in most cases it can be quickly and successively treated although some discomfort is likely to be experienced.

Do have an in depth discussion with your eye specialist with an emphasis on any risks before deciding to undertake CLR surgery.

The Long Term Benefits

The feeling of freedom after being dependant on visual impairment aids takes time to become adjusted. Many will have a greater feeling of self confidence as there will be no more fears of losing or breaking their glasses or the embarrassment of groveling around for a lost contact lens.

There are very real cosmetic benefits. You will never again have to worry about spectacle frames that suit you or your eye make up choice of color. Applying your make up will be so much easier and most importantly you will not have spectacle frames and their lenses obscuring your most important beauty feature – your eyes.