Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPseudophakic IOLPurposeSigns You May Need SurgeryProcedureComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pseudophakic IOL
Purpose
Signs You May Need Surgery
Procedure
Complications
“Pseudophakia” refers to an artificial or fake lens, also known as anintraocular lens(IOL), that is implanted in your eye in place of the clouded lens removed during cataract surgery.The new false lens can significantly improve your vision and quality of life.
Pseudophakia is a very common, highly successful outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic. Complications are unlikely but can include imperfect vision correction and IOL mispositioning or movement. Post-surgery, most individuals enjoy vision similar to what they experienced before their cataract developed.
This article will take you through pseudophakia lens options, the procedure, and possible outcomes.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
What Is a Pseudophakic IOL?
Pseudophakic lenses can be made of plastic composites, silicone, or acrylic material. Just like your eyeglasses or contact lenses, IOLs can compensate for most vision issues you may have, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
They are also selected in strengths specifically for your eyes. There are four different types of lenses that you may be offered, including:
It’s not uncommon to sometimes still need glasses with pseudophakic IOLs. Discuss with your practitioner which lens might best suit your needs and lifestyle.
Purpose of IOL Surgery
Cataract surgeryremoves a cloudedlensand replaces it with a clear pseudophakic IOL. Ophthalmologist Harold Ridley invented the first phakic IOL (in which an IOL is inserted without removing the patient’s natural lens) in the 1940s.
An artificial IOL helps you to see after your own cloudy lens is removed. When the light enters the eye, a lens focuses it. When the light is focused to the right strength, you can see sharply. The pseudophakic lens is clear, just as your natural lens once was.
Age-related cataracts tend to occur when proteins in the lens begin to break down and stick together in places, interfering with the clear transmission of light to the retina at the back of the eye.
Signs You May Need IOL Surgery
You may want to consider IOL surgery when your vision becomes significantly reduced and begins to affect daily living.
Specific vision issues include:
The surgery itself is an outpatient procedure. Here’s an idea of what to expect.
Is it okay to have pseudophakia of both eyes?Studies show that people with lens problems experience better vision and a higher quality of life when they have bilateral pseudophakia (replacing the lenses of both eyes).There are risks such as anisometropia (when the eyes don’t have the same refractive error or perception) but these issues can be managed.
Is it okay to have pseudophakia of both eyes?
Studies show that people with lens problems experience better vision and a higher quality of life when they have bilateral pseudophakia (replacing the lenses of both eyes).There are risks such as anisometropia (when the eyes don’t have the same refractive error or perception) but these issues can be managed.
Presurgery
Before surgery, alert your practitioner about any chronic conditions you might have, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, to ensure these are under control.
Also, discuss any medications you may be taking. While cataract surgery doesn’t typically cause much bleeding, it may be suggested that you temporarily discontinue any blood thinners. Discuss this with the prescribing doctor first.
Also mention if you’re taking any alpha-agonists such as Flomax (tamsulosin), Uroxatral (afuzosin), Hytrin (terazosin), Cardura (doxazosin), or Rapaflo (silodosin), since these can potentially interfere with the procedure.
Before surgery begins, your eyes will be measured with biometry to help determine the right power pseudophakic lens for you. You’ll also likely be expected to use some eye drops to prepare.
During Surgery
On the day of surgery, expect to spend around two to three hours at the facility. The procedure itself will only last around 30 minutes, and you will be awake the entire time.
You will likely first be given a sedative to relax you. You’ll also be given a local anesthetic to block any pain. The doctor may administer some antibiotics or other drops just before the surgery and again right after.
With the most common cataract surgery type, a small wand is inserted into the eye through a tiny cut. This gives off sound waves that break apart the cataract into tiny pieces, which can then be suctioned out of the eye. The pseudophakic lens can then be put into the area to replace the original lens.
Another approach sometimes used for removal is extracapsular cataract surgery, where a larger cut is made. This may be used if it appears the cataract may be difficult to break apart. Your natural lens can then be removed in one piece and the pseudophakic lens inserted.
The IOL is placed in the posterior chamber (between the usual location of the lens and the iris).
After Surgery
Once the surgery is done, the staff will explain what you need to do to care for your eye over the next few weeks during your recovery.
After resting for about half an hour, you can then go home. But be sure to secure a ride ahead of time since the surgery will prevent you from driving.
Outcome
Over the next several months, you will be asked to return for some postoperative visits. These usually begin just one day after surgery. At the visit, the practitioner will look at your eyes, test your vision, and make sure your eye pressure has remained more or less constant.
To ward off infection and tamp down inflammation, you will also be asked to use drops for a while.Your vision will be somewhat blurry the first few days after surgery, but it will begin to clear within the first few weeks.
In nearly all cases, vision improves after cataract surgery.However, you may be prescribed glasses or contacts to wear as well. This prescription will likely be different from any previous one.
How long do eye lens implants last?Since synthetic IOLs do not break down like natural lenses, eye doctors usually consider implants permanent and expect them to last a person for the rest of their life. Children who receive lens implants will normally have no problems with their lenses through adulthood.However, there are some instances in which certain types of lenses cause vision problems within a few years of being implanted.Discuss the risks with your healthcare provider before determining which lens is best for you.
How long do eye lens implants last?
Since synthetic IOLs do not break down like natural lenses, eye doctors usually consider implants permanent and expect them to last a person for the rest of their life. Children who receive lens implants will normally have no problems with their lenses through adulthood.However, there are some instances in which certain types of lenses cause vision problems within a few years of being implanted.Discuss the risks with your healthcare provider before determining which lens is best for you.
In most cases, placement of the pseudophakic lens goes smoothly, but some occasional complications can occur, such as:
In addition to complications with pseudophakia, cataract surgery itself may at times carry someriskssuch as:
Summary
Implantation of a pseudophakic IOL after cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that can correct vision issues for a lifetime. They are made from a variety of materials and come in different strengths and types. While complications are rare, all surgeries carry risks which should be discussed with your healthcare provider
A Word From VerywellWhen a cataract is removed, it’s typically replaced with a pseudophakic IOL. Different strengths and types are selected based on measurements taken of the eye, the ocular history, and the goals of the patient. Although there are many options to reduce glasses dependency after surgery, it’s not unusual to still need correction for at least some tasks. Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is generally a low-risk procedure that can improve visual function and overall quality of life.—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
When a cataract is removed, it’s typically replaced with a pseudophakic IOL. Different strengths and types are selected based on measurements taken of the eye, the ocular history, and the goals of the patient. Although there are many options to reduce glasses dependency after surgery, it’s not unusual to still need correction for at least some tasks. Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is generally a low-risk procedure that can improve visual function and overall quality of life.—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
When a cataract is removed, it’s typically replaced with a pseudophakic IOL. Different strengths and types are selected based on measurements taken of the eye, the ocular history, and the goals of the patient. Although there are many options to reduce glasses dependency after surgery, it’s not unusual to still need correction for at least some tasks. Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is generally a low-risk procedure that can improve visual function and overall quality of life.
—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology.Pseudophakia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataract Surgery.Harvard Medical School.Cataract surgery: What to expect before, during and after.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.Schuster AK, Pfeiffer N, Schulz A, et al.The impact of pseudophakia on vision-related quality of life in the general population – The Gutenberg Health Study.Aging. 2017;9(3):1030-1040. doi:10.18632%2Faging.101208Kaiser Permanente.Cataract surgery: Before your surgery.Singh M, Mishra D, Sinha BP, Anand A, Singhal S.Corneal endothelial protection during manual small-incision cataract surgery: A narrative review.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(11):3791-3796. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1048_22Harvard Medical School.Considering Cataract Surgery? What You Should Know.Beiko GHH, Grzybowski A.Intraocular lens implants: Do they come with a life time guaranty?Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology. 2015;29(4):247-248. doi:10.1016%2Fj.sjopt.2015.10.002American Refractive Surgery Council.Cataract surgery.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology.Pseudophakia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataract Surgery.Harvard Medical School.Cataract surgery: What to expect before, during and after.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.Schuster AK, Pfeiffer N, Schulz A, et al.The impact of pseudophakia on vision-related quality of life in the general population – The Gutenberg Health Study.Aging. 2017;9(3):1030-1040. doi:10.18632%2Faging.101208Kaiser Permanente.Cataract surgery: Before your surgery.Singh M, Mishra D, Sinha BP, Anand A, Singhal S.Corneal endothelial protection during manual small-incision cataract surgery: A narrative review.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(11):3791-3796. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1048_22Harvard Medical School.Considering Cataract Surgery? What You Should Know.Beiko GHH, Grzybowski A.Intraocular lens implants: Do they come with a life time guaranty?Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology. 2015;29(4):247-248. doi:10.1016%2Fj.sjopt.2015.10.002American Refractive Surgery Council.Cataract surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology.Pseudophakia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataract Surgery.Harvard Medical School.Cataract surgery: What to expect before, during and after.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.Schuster AK, Pfeiffer N, Schulz A, et al.The impact of pseudophakia on vision-related quality of life in the general population – The Gutenberg Health Study.Aging. 2017;9(3):1030-1040. doi:10.18632%2Faging.101208Kaiser Permanente.Cataract surgery: Before your surgery.Singh M, Mishra D, Sinha BP, Anand A, Singhal S.Corneal endothelial protection during manual small-incision cataract surgery: A narrative review.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(11):3791-3796. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1048_22Harvard Medical School.Considering Cataract Surgery? What You Should Know.Beiko GHH, Grzybowski A.Intraocular lens implants: Do they come with a life time guaranty?Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology. 2015;29(4):247-248. doi:10.1016%2Fj.sjopt.2015.10.002American Refractive Surgery Council.Cataract surgery.
Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology.Pseudophakia.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataract Surgery.
Harvard Medical School.Cataract surgery: What to expect before, during and after.
National Eye Institute.Cataracts.
Schuster AK, Pfeiffer N, Schulz A, et al.The impact of pseudophakia on vision-related quality of life in the general population – The Gutenberg Health Study.Aging. 2017;9(3):1030-1040. doi:10.18632%2Faging.101208
Kaiser Permanente.Cataract surgery: Before your surgery.
Singh M, Mishra D, Sinha BP, Anand A, Singhal S.Corneal endothelial protection during manual small-incision cataract surgery: A narrative review.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(11):3791-3796. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1048_22
Harvard Medical School.Considering Cataract Surgery? What You Should Know.
Beiko GHH, Grzybowski A.Intraocular lens implants: Do they come with a life time guaranty?Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology. 2015;29(4):247-248. doi:10.1016%2Fj.sjopt.2015.10.002
American Refractive Surgery Council.Cataract surgery.
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