Am I a Candidate for Intraocular Lenses?

Most people who are in good health are eligible for surgery to counteract the effects of cataracts and presbyopia with intraocular lenses. The procedure has provided excellent vision correction for millions of people worldwide suffering from the decline of visual acuity due to the effects of aging or other factors. If you have noticed a blurring of your vision or other symptoms of cataracts, or if presbyopia has made reading small print a frustrating ordeal, you may be a good candidate for vision correction with intraocular lenses.

Intraocular Lenses Candidate

Implantation of intraocular lenses has been proven safe and effective for the treatment of cataracts and presbyopia, and it has become the most commonly performed eye surgery procedure in the United States on individuals over age 65. If you are in good health and have sufficient corneal thickness, there is a good chance you will be eligible to improve your vision with intraocular lenses.

Cataract Patients

Cataracts are as inevitable as gray hair. If you live long enough, you have a near certain probability of getting cataracts. Cataracts are not just limited to those who have reached their golden years. Cataracts have also been linked to eye injuries, genetics, overexposure to sunlight, and some medications, and they can afflict young adults and even children. Most surgery for vision correction with intraocular lenses, however, is performed on older individuals.

You may be a candidate for intraocular lenses if you are between the ages of 21 and 80 and cataracts have caused you to experience:

• blurred vision
• difficulty driving at night because of glare
• problems reading
• overall diminished vision that is not improved by your recent-prescription contact lenses or glasses

Your ophthalmologist will perform a preoperative examination to ensure that you meet the requirements for cataract surgery. Though some conditions may prevent you from having intraocular lenses (see General IOL Requirements below), if you are in relatively good health and are not suffering from an eye disease, vision improvement with intraocular lenses may be an option available to you.

Presbyopia Patients

Another unavoidable part of growing older is presbyopia. As we reach middle age, we all begin to notice that our vision gradually loses acuity for near-vision tasks such as reading. The problem occurs because as people grow older, the natural crystalline lens in the eyes becomes rigid and loses its ability to focus correctly.

Surgery to implant intraocular lenses has proven to be one of the most effective methods for counteracting this natural degeneration of sight. If you suffer from presbyopia and prefer not to use reading glasses or bifocals, intraocular lenses offer an effective solution. Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and research your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

General IOL Requirements

Prior to accepting you for intraocular lens surgery, your ophthalmologist will assess your general health and the health of your eyes. You are a likely candidate for intraocular lenses if you:

• are in good health
• have healthy eyes free of disease and infection
• have sufficient corneal thickness
• are between the ages of 21 and 80

You may not be eligible for intraocular lenses if you:

• have diabetes or hepatitis C
• suffer from persistently dry eyes
• have excessive corneal scarring
• are taking certain drugs
• use a pacemaker
• are pregnant
• are HIV positive

Your ophthalmologist will perform a thorough examination of your eyes and ask you to provide a complete medical history to ensure that you are a qualified candidate for intraocular lenses. It is very important that you disclose to your ophthalmologist all medical conditions that you currently have or have recently had, and all medications that you are presently taking or have taken in the recent past.

Contact a Specialist in Your Area through DocShop

If cataracts or presbyopia are causing you vision problems, surgery to implant intraocular lenses can restore your vision and improve your life. To learn if you are a candidate for this remarkable procedure, use DocShop's convenient online directory to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.