Lakewood Location
3300 East South St. #105
Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 531-2020
Los Alamitos Location
3801 Katella Ave. #130
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 598-7728
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Home >> Cataracts & Implants >> Clear Lens Extraction
When the lens of the eye is removed, it is referred to as lensectomy. If the lens is cloudy, the lens is called a cataract. Removal of a cloudy lens is called cataract surgery. If the lens is clear and removed for refractive correction, it is called Clear Lens Extraction or Refractive Lensectomy.
Refractive lensectomy is the same procedure as modern "no-stitch", "no-needle" cataract surgery. It changes the eyes optics by replacing the natural lens with a lens implant that is specifically chosen based upon measurements taken during your preoperative assessment. The lens implant remains in place for your lifetime. In the past, the lens was usually selected to focus clearly for distant objects; thus glasses are needed for near vision activities like reading. Now, multi focal options, that provide distance for distance and reading, exist. Astigmatism can also be corrected during this procedure using a technique called limbal relaxing incisions. This is a reshaping of the cornea, performed during the lensectomy, to minimize astigmatism and reduce dependence on glasses.
Lensectomy may be an attractive option for people over 45 years of age. For those individuals above 45, the natural ability to focus up-close is progressively lost. Individuals over 55 usually do not have much natural focusing ability for near vision. Thus, refractive lensectomy may be a wise choice for individuals above 55.
Refractive lensectomy is a simple outpatient procedure. In most cases, only eye drops are needed to numb the eye for the surgery. People are not "put to sleep"; but are given oral or intravenous medication for comfort. A small incision is made in the cornea (approximately 3 mm). Using a special ultrasound probe, the lens is gently removed in small particles. After the natural lens is removed, a lens implant of appropriate power is placed through the incision and into the proper location.
The surgery is usually completed without stitches and takes About Us 15 minutes.