Lens replacement
A lens replacement is a medical procedure whereby the natural ocular lens is replaced by an advanced artificial lens. This procedure is primarily intended to restore the flexibility of the sight, which decreases over the years. Discover how lens replacement offers an effective solution for age-related changes in vision and other eye problems.
As you age, the flexibility of your ocular lens decreases. This causes your vision, both near and far, to deteriorate. When the lens is replaced, your own natural lens is replaced by a very advanced artificial lens or implant lens. This will enable your eye to see clearly again from far, medium distance, and nearby.
The impact of this treatment is permanent as the implant lens has a permanent reading correction that will not change over time. In 80% of cases, no glasses are needed after the procedure. In 15% of the cases, glasses may still be needed either for near or far vision. Only in 5% of the cases are glasses still regularly needed.
Depending on your preferences and your life and work situation, we will determine which lens is best suited to you. Our doctors have experience with monofocal (sharp vision at one particular distance) and multifocal (sharp vision at various distances) lenses, as well as with the technique of ‘monovision’ (one lens for near and one for far vision). After the intake exam, we determine the most suitable lens for you.
When are you eligible for lens replacement?
- Age
To be eligible for a lens replacement as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses, you must be at least 45 years old.
- Recent intake examination
The intake exam used as the basis for your treatment may not have been carried out more than half a year ago.
We’re happy to help!
Your vision, your comfort, your happiness: this is what we care about at Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen and Kortrijk-West. Our experienced team is ready to help you and answer all your questions.
Start your process towards a life without glasses today, and schedule an extensive pre-operative exam and an initial conversation to get to know you (+/- 1 hour), so that together we can determine the best solution for you.
- After your intake exam, the lenses will be custom-made for your eyes.
- Three days before the procedure, you will need to apply some preparatory eye drops at home.
- One hour before the scheduled procedure, you have to start applying eye drops at home to dilate your pupils, based on the instructions you are given during your consultation.
- When you arrive at Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen, we start with a few administrative tasks. Once your pupils are sufficiently dilated, we will accompany you to the operating room. There, your eyes will be anaesthetised and carefully disinfected.
- While you lie back comfortably, we make a small incision in your cornea. We then replace your natural lens with an artificial lens at the perfect place in your lens capsular bag.
- The procedure takes around fifteen minutes per eye and is nearly painless. After the procedure, you can go straight home, but you do need someone to accompany you.
The price of a lens replacement varies depending on various individual factors. We consider it important to make a personal price calculation for each patient. For an overview of our fees, please go to the fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lens replacement and what are the advantages of lens replacement surgery?
In a lens replacement, we remove your own natural eye lens and replace it with an artificial lens. That artificial lens can allow your eye to focus sharply again at distance, intermediate range and/or near, depending on which type of implant lens we choose. The major advantage is that the result is permanent and that you no longer need glasses for most daily activities. The procedure takes about fifteen minutes per eye and is painless.
How much does a lens replacement cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of artificial lens: a standard lens, comfort lens or multifocal lens. After the preliminary examination, we will discuss the exact price for your situation. Health insurance funds and most hospitalisation insurance policies reimburse the treatment partially or in full, provided it takes place in a recognised eye centre.
What is the recovery time after lens replacement surgery and what is the recovery like?
Just one day after the operation, you can see at least 80%. Recovery goes very smoothly: reading, watching TV and light work are possible right away. For two weeks, do not rub your eyes and do not wear make-up. Swimming and contact sports should be put on hold for a full month.
What are the disadvantages of a lens replacement and can you get blurred vision after lens replacement surgery?
Blurred vision after a lens replacement can occur when a secondary cataract develops — a clouding of the lens capsule that only manifests itself months or years after the procedure. A short YAG laser treatment easily resolves this. Another point of attention is that some multifocal artificial lenses can cause light halos around light sources during the first few months. For very small print, reading glasses may sometimes still be needed.