Simply put an intraocular implant is a lens that is implanted into the eye, usually because the original ocular lens has been clouded by a cataract. An intraocular implant is also a form of refractive surgery to increase the optical power of a person’s eye. An intraocular lens consists of a small lens made of plastic with side struts that are also made of plastic – these are often called haptics that are designed to keep the lens in place inside the eye. Most intraocular lenses were originally made from an inflexible type of plastic, but that has since been replaced with flexible plastic material.

 

 

A lot of the intraocular implants that doctors fit nowadays, are monofocal, fixed lenses that are designed to enhance distance vision. Other types of lenses are also available and include the multifocal intraocular implants that give multiple focussed vision to the patient, both for long distance and for close work such as reading. There are also what are known as adaptive intraocular implants which provide the patient with limited visula capacity.

Intraocular implants are most commonly used in cataract operations, which is also the most common type of eye surgery.

 

Nowadays, cataract operations can be performed under local anesthetic where the patient remains awake during the operation. Surgeons may use the flexible intraocular implant because when it is rolled it only requires a very small incision in the eye and thus negates the need for post operative stitches. An experienced opthalmologist can perform this operation in under half an hour.