| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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| *Intended for a Canadian audience only |
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Your natural lens rests behind the iris, enclosed in a delicate membrane called the capsular bag. The capsule is suspended in the center of your line of vision by fine ligaments. Movement of the ligaments causes the gel like material of the natural lens to change shape, adjusting for various lengths of vision requirements.
Your pupils will be dilated prior to surgery to allow access behind the iris. The drops will create blurred vision, especially up close. Because of this, you will not be able to "watch" your surgery but you will notice indistinct blurry movements throughout the procedure. You will feel no discomfort because of the anesthetic gel.
Dr. Demong will create a small self-sealing opening on the outer surface of the eye to provide access for surgery. The opening is less than 3 mm wide, promoting rapid recovery and little, if any, induced irregularity at the site. If you have a small amount of astigmatism, it may be possible for him to correct it through the location of the incision. Then he'll make a small circular opening into the front of the capsular bag to reach the natural lens.
The natural lens may be removed using several options. Ultrasound which is used to fragment the lens is the most traditional approach, and the one that has been used for decades in cataract surgery. Now, using the Infiniti Vision System, Dr. Demong can select a gentler method more appropriate for the soft non-cataract lens. The Aqualase handpiece uses micro-jets of fluid to gently erode the natural lens. Then, through the same handpiece, sterile fluid loosens and rinses the lens particles and vacuums them out. The lens removal process typically takes less than a minute. Then the capsule is prepared for the second phase.
Dr. Demong will select the best power for your lens on the basis of measurements taken at the time of your preoperative consultation. All lenses used are composed of a biocompatible acrylic material readily accepted by the structures within the eye. Artificial lenses cannot adjust strength by changing thickness as the natural lens did, but depending upon the design of the lens, some can simulate varying powers of correction through multifocal rings.
The acrylic lens is folded into a specialized insertion device. The inserter tip is guided behind the iris into the capsular bag and the lens is then slowly injected into position. Once the lens is out of the inserter, the lens opens like butterfly wings, filling the cavity of the bag. Dr. Demong can turn it slightly to help position it in an optimal location. This is particularly important with a Toric lens that treats astigmatism. During recovery, the capsular bag will contract around the lens and the lens itself will adhere to the back wall of the capsule, holding the lens securely in place.
Now, we invite you to look at an animation of the procedure:
Following surgery, your eye may feel as if you have a fine hair on the surface where the incision was made. This is temporary but may be eased with the use of artificial tears. There is usually no discomfort inside the eye although you may experience a headache which is readily controlled with Tylenol. Visual recovery is rapid. You should keep your eyes closed as much as possible the first evening but you will notice significant improvement as the dilating drops wear off. Most people see well enough to drive and return to work within one week.