Can a person who had cataract surgery in 1981 without lens replacements have lenses implanted now?
FEB 21, 2014
Question:
Can a person who had cataract surgery in 1981 without lens replacements have lenses implanted now?
Answer:
The condition is referred to as aphakia or absence of a lens. Intraocular lens implants may be placed inside the eye to avoid needing a thick aphakic contact lens or thick aphakic glasses. The lens implant may have to be placed in a different place than implants done today as the capsule that holds the lens may have been damaged over time, requiring a new lens to be sutured into the eye or placed in the anterior chamber (on top of the iris). The procedure does carry some risks to the retina and the risks and benefits of having a lens implant need to be reviewed with an ophthalmologist.