After we turn 40, changes in eyesight start occurring. People who previously had no problems with their vision or were shortsighted suddenly become farsighted and “the hands become too short.” Many have to, in addition to glasses for reading and working on the computer, also wear glasses for watching TV, driving, the movies, etc. Doing sports, staying on the beach in the summer and skiing in the winter become problematic.
Patients can cure the so-called presbyopia, i.e. they will no longer need to wear glasses after undergoing the surgery of implantation of the multifocal intraocular lens or the intraocular lens with an extended range of vision (Symfony). When it comes to experience in the implantation of multifocal and intraocular lenses with an extended range of vision (more than 6000), we are among the leading European clinics. The operation is fast, safe, effective and painless and the patient can continue with their daily activities after 3-5 days.
We approach each patient individually in order to select the intraocular lenses in accordance with the specific needs and lifestyle of each individual (work on the computer, reading, driving a car).
Examination
At the examination, we determine visual acuity, measure intraocular pressure, inspect the eye under the biomicroscope after which the pupils are dilated.
These are the tests that we perform: IOL master determines the strength of the lens, then we capture corneal topography, perform OCT of the macula (center of vision), ultrasound, and we measure the number of endothelial cells. The examination is completed with a biomicroscopy examination of the fundus (back of the eye) to determine if any pathologies are present.
The procedure and recovery
The procedure of implantation of multifocal lenses is very simple and performed on an outpatient basis with the application of local anesthetic eye drops. For the purpose of faster rehabilitation, it is best to replace the lens in both eyes simultaneously. The patient comes to the clinic an hour before the surgery. Drops are instilled to dilate the pupils and eye drop anesthesia is applied. The procedure takes about ten minutes and is completely painless. During the surgery, by applying the aspiration method we remove the patient’s natural rigid lens (that lost the function of accommodation) and we replace it with an intraocular lens through a small incision of 2 mm, which is self-healing, without the need for placing a suture. The intraocular lens is durable and after this procedure the patient can not get a cataract.
What does the recovery and check-up look like?
Fifteen minutes after the surgery the patient is discharged and should avoid any physical efforts. The visual function is restored extremely quickly and the patient returns to their normal activities within a few days. During recovery it is necessary to instill drops. The check-ups are performed on the first postoperative day, seven days after the surgery and three weeks after the surgery. During this period, there are no restrictions in terms of visual functions. The only recommendation is that the patient refrains from serious physical effort. It is forbidden to wash up the eyes with tap water the first three days, and it is recommended to avoid rubbing the eye, excessive bending and heavy lifting in the first month after the surgery.
Diagnostics and technology
IOL master – a device that measures the strength of the lens to be implanted in the eye during surgery. Taking into account the length of the eye, keratometric value, depth of the anterior chamber and applying several formulas, we calculate the strength of the lens to be implanted. The patient sits on the device, lays his head on the device and the device automatically records all the necessary data. The examination is painless, lasts half a minute, and the finding is obtained immediately and printed on the printer.
ULTRASOUND + A scan – a test for gaining insight into the interior of the eye and the length of the eye. The patient sits comfortably in a chair and the doctor probes the upper and lower eyelid gently by using an ultrasound probe and takes photographs. With the A scan, it is necessary to place the probe on the cornea of a previously anesthetized eye. The test is painless, not harmful and takes a few minutes.
Corneal topography – a test that gives an insight into the curvature of the front surface of the cornea and it determines the value of corneal astigmatism. The patient sits on the device, lays his head on the device and the device automatically records all the necessary data. The examination is painless, lasts a few seconds, and the finding is obtained immediately and printed on the printer.
Endothelial microscope – a test that calculates the number of endothelial cells in the cornea. The patient sits on the device, lays his head on the device and the device automatically records all the necessary data. The examination is painless, lasts a few seconds, and the finding is obtained immediately and printed on the printer.