An
intraocular lens (IOL) is a tiny, lightweight, clear plastic
lens placed in the eye during cataract surgery. An IOL replaces
the focusinsg power of the eye's natural lens.
The lens of the eye plays an important
role in focusing images on the retina. If the lens loses
its clarity, as it does when a cataract develops, light
rays do not focus clearly and the image one sees is blurry.
Glasses or contact lenses cannot sharpen vision if a cataract
is present.
The only treatment for a cataract is to
remove the lens and implant an IOL. Intraocular lenses have
many advantages. Unlike contact lenses, which must be removed,
cleaned, and reinserted, the IOL remains in the eye after
surgery.
An IOL may be placed either in front of
or behind the iris. Behind the iris is the most frequent
placement site. They can be hard plastic, soft plastic or
soft silicone. Soft, foldable lenses can be inserted through
a small incision which shortens recovery time following
surgery.
Rapid evolution of IOL designs, materials,
and implant techniques have made them a safe and practical
way to restore normal vision after cataract surgery. Katzen
Eye Group was the first practice in Maryland to utilize
IOL's for our patients.
