Clearly the best

Created on 14th September 2009

Mr Pillai of Advance Vision Care, one of the UK's most experienced refractive surgeons, focuses on Clear Lens Extraction, where your natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial implant that guarantees perfect eyesight

Clear Lens Extraction (CLE) is a procedure designed to eliminate the need for distance glasses or contact lenses and it can be used to treat a wide range of prescriptions. With specialist treatment it can also correct reading vision as well as distance.

It is most suitable for those over 50 years of age. This is because when the natural lens of the eye is removed all ability to adjust the focus of the eye is lost. This natural focus changing ability is called ‘accommodation' which is slowly lost with age. It is this loss of accommodation that accounts for near vision/reading glasses after mid 40s. When CLE is performed on those over 50 the loss of accommodation is irrelevant as it has already been lost through the natural process described above.

Unlike laser techniques that correct vision by changing the shape of the cornea, CLE corrects vision by removing the natural crystalline lens and replacing it with a new artificial implant (IOL) of a different focusing power, much like what happens in cataract surgery. However, in cataract surgery the lens that is removed is cloudy whereas in this procedure it is clear, hence the name Clear Lens Extraction or Lens Exchange with IOL.

Like the lens of a camera, which focuses images sharply on the film, the eye's lens focuses light and images on the retina (back of the eye). Precise, state-of-the-art ultrasound instruments are used to measure the eyes and these individual measurements are entered into sophisticated formulae to calculate exact implant power.

The surgery takes 30 minutes for each eye and is done under local anaesthetic with the use of drops only. No injections and no stitches are required. The small incision that is made (2.8mm or less) heals rapidly with vision settling within two days. Following the surgery, drops are used for four weeks but the patient is able to return to normal activity within two days.

The next big thing
The traditional implant used is monofocal which means focused for one distance only so a patient would require reading glasses post surgery. The latest implant is multifocal which, as the name suggests, is focused at a number of distances so allows the patient to be free of glasses. Results for this procedure have been outstanding and it is fast becoming the more popular choice for treatment.

Apart from those mentioned above, the main advantage of this procedure is that once it is done the patient has no chance of developing a cataract as there is no natural lens present. Therefore, the results following surgery do last a lifetime.

CASE STUDY

Treatment: Multifocal lens implant

Name: Mrs Lynn Allen

Age: 60

Occupation: Retired

What prompted you to have the treatment?

Every time I went to the opticians my prescription was getting worse and so the glasses I had to wear were getting thicker and uglier. 

I had to have the Varilux bifocal lenses and by the time I paid for the frames and lenses I was looking at £500-£600.

As soon as I retired I decided to deal with the problem. The money we had invested in the bank wasn't making much in interest so I thought it would be better spent on my eyes. And it has been worth every penny.

Who carried out the procedure and what was their opinion at the consultation?

I saw Dr Goran Helgeson at Advance Vision Care. My son had been to them about six years ago to have successful laser treatment so I wanted the same. However, my prescription was too strong and I wasn't suitable. They suggested lens implant and explained what would take place. I wasn't at all nervous - in fact, I wanted it there and then.

How was the experience?

They did one eye first and then the other two weeks later. The whole experience was great; the clinic was immaculate and the staff were very friendly. They had to calm me down as I was so excited.

It only took ten minutes and there was no discomfort. I could just feel a sensation as he removed my lens.

Did you have to take any medication?

I had a blood pressure tablet to take that evening and then eye drops, four times a day for a whole month.

What were the immediate results?

Immediately after the procedure I could see everything incredibly clearly - it was like I was reborn. And that was just with one eye done.

Are you happy with the treatment?

I would recommend it to anyone. We have always enjoyed going on cruises and I would love getting dressed up but then felt it was spoilt by having to put on ugly glasses. Now I feel much more glamorous and can't stop buying new clothes. I feel like a new person.
CS&AM