Ophthalmologist, laser surgery,
corneal transplant, cataract surgery
Paris, France & Fribourg, Switzerland
Cataract surgery
Around 20 million cataract surgeries are performed each year worldwide
Cataracts are clouding of the lens, which is the eye's natural lens. The surgery consists of replacing this opaque lens with a transparent artificial lens.
Cataract surgery is very safe; over 95% of people have a significant improvement in vision. Most cataract surgeries are performed under local anesthesia with simple drops, and without any pain for the patient.
The surgery begins with a small incision in the cornea. A thin membrane at the front of the lens is carefully removed (lens capsule).
A dedicated instrument is used to fragment the cataract and remove it from the eye and then an artificial lens is inserted in its place. The stitches are not necessary in the majority of cases because the incisions are "self-sealing".
Intra-ocular lenses (IOL)
A transparent intraocular lens (IOL = artificial lens) replaces the opaque lens. Conventional monofocal IOLs allow the patient to see clearly from near or far, but not both.
These monofocal IOLs focus light at a single focal length while diffractive IOLs have areas of focus for far, intermediate and near vision.
The procedure for inserting the multifocal IOL is the same as that for conventional cataract surgery where the artificial lens replaces the opaque natural lens. The diffractive multifocal lens (trifocal lens) offers simultaneous far vision in intermediate and near vision.
Even in average lighting conditions, the trifocal lens allows most everyday tasks to be accomplished with minimal unwanted effects such as halos. Trifocal IOLs are a great solution for patients who want to get rid of their glasses after cataract surgery.