An implantable contact lens is similar to a contact lens but it is fixed in place. It is often recommended to people who are unable to have their vision problems corrected with laser eye surgery. There is no doubt that they can help correct some problems created by myopia, long sightedness or astigmatism however they do not go nearly as far as refractive lens exchange surgery. When you have refractive lens exchange you are actually correcting the problem entirely. It replaces the faulty lens with an artificial one and in doing restores the eye sight completely.
Refractive lens exchange surgery can help even the most severe of vision problems whereas an implantable contact lens cannot. An implantable contact lens does not take the place of the existing lens instead it is simply placed over the top. It also by no means guarantees perfect sight is restored. The refractive lens exchange procedure on the other hand offers truly amazing results to a person’s sight. Thousands of people across the UK have benefitted from refractive lens exchange surgery.
One of the main benefits of refractive lens exchange is that it provides a two for one treatment. As well as correcting a refractive error in the eye it also removes any trace of a cataract and ensures they cannot form in the future. If a patient only has an implantable contact lens then a cataract can still form on the natural lens of the eye because it is still present. There is very little recovery time involved with refractive lens exchange and the procedure itself is very short. It lasts forever and no further surgery will be needed in the future following refractive lens exchange. In a small number of cases some additional adjustments may be needed to help restore perfect vision but this is done easily with the use of a specially designed laser.
An implantable contact lens can help eyesight but it does not actually cure the refractive error. Instead it purely provides a more permanent solution to glasses. If you really want to be free from sight problems for the rest of your life then refractive lens exchange is the only option available. Furthermore an implantable contact lens is only a suitable solution for people younger than 60. Anyone older than this and the procedure is not recommended even by those who provide this treatment. Refractive lens exchange is especially designed for people over 50 who want to benefit from improved sight and a new lease on life.
Although on first evaluation it may seem that an implantable contact lens and refractive lens exchange are similar, they are not. An implantable contact lens is inserted over the top of the existing lens of the eye. This means perfect vision cannot be guaranteed and it also means cataracts can still form and create a problem in the future. The refractive error is not fixed it is just simply given a temporary plaster. When inserting an implantable contact lens, it is possible to harm the structure of the eye. When doing so conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are more likely to occur.
Refractive lens exchange is primarily suitable for the over 50s as this age group has more to gain. It actually corrects the refractive error and removes the need for glasses altogether. It is a lifelong solution to bad eyesight. Vision is returned to its more youthful state and as a huge bonus it prevents the formation of cataracts too. Because cataracts are so common and cause so many difficulties in day to day life, this is most definitely a bonus worth having.
Cataracts can prevent people from carrying out normal everyday activities. This means doing things like reading, arts and craft, sports and driving are no longer possible. Cataracts can eventually cause the lens of the eye to change colour to a yellow or brown colour. This can mean everything becomes yellow or brown in colour. Being able to avoid this condition is hugely beneficial.
Refractive lens exchange, also known as RLE, offers a two for one treatment which an implantable contact lens does not. RLE is available at a private eye clinic near you including Guildford eye hospital to name just one.
Kate Dawson writes articles for Clarivu, a refractive lens surgery designed to replace a defective eye lens with an implantable contact lens. Clarivu is available in many more than one private eye clinic, with surgeries throughout the UK including Birmingham and Guildford eye hospital.