They are very safe. Millions have been implanted worldwide and the risk of problems is exceptionally low. Mr Dan Lindfield is a multi-award-winning consultant ophthalmologist and cataract surgeonin Guildford and Farnham who specialises in cataracts, glaucoma surgery, including laser therapies for glaucoma, such as SLT, trabeculectomy, and minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Our range of eyewear is light and easy to wear, and some can even be worn over your existing prescription glasses. Read the five-step guide to getting the right sunglasses from our Sight Loss Advice Service.

Whilst hearing positive or negative opinions from your friends or family is useful, it’s very difficult to draw parallels for such a precise decision targeted to your specific needs. These lenses carry significant extra cost because of their design complexity and relative rarity. They work by simultaneously providing the eye with three focal lengths of vision; distance, intermediate (computer screens) and near and then asking your eye and brain to “tune in” to which objects it wants to see. Place the shield carefully over the eye. Ensure that the edges rest comfortably on the bones around the eye and not on the eye itself, or on the soft tissues surrounding it, as this can cause further damage. Both procedures take approximately 10 minutes and can be performed with an eye drop anaesthetic only, removing the need for injections. The whole hospital visit often takes about 90 minutes from arriving to going home.

A cataract is the age-related clouding of the lens inside our eye. It tends to occur when we reach 60 years or older but itcan occur at a younger age in rarer circumstances. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a precision-made implant.

Greater differences between the two eyes can allow for complete freedom of both reading and distance glasses for some patients but with the increasing disparity between the eyes, there is an increased awareness of the two eyes being imbalanced. This technique can be discussed with your surgeon along with tests to identify which eye is dominant. Mr Dan Lindfield explains that it is not suitable for all patients and takes skill, experience and judgement to perfect this technique. The dominant eye is set for distance and the non-dominant eye is set for varying amounts of nearer vision. The two eyes perform different tasks when measured on their own but when both eyes are open they allow a seamless range of vision. The ability to read without glasses depends on how close-focussed the non-dominant eye is set. Trifocal lenses can be well suited to you but Mr Lindfield reassures that he or your chosen doctor will go through a process to ensure they fit with your requirement and your eyes are suitable. There is often a learning curve associated with these lenses but within a few weeks, patients can often see clearly for distance and near tasks. It must be stated, however, that these lenses function their best in good light. They sometimes perform less well in dim light. Approximately 5-10% of patients are also aware of “rings” or “circles” in their vision when viewing bright lights such as car brake lights. These rings emanate from the circular zones on the lens surface which allow for the trifocality. The glare from these rings is rarely troublesome but can be noticeable.Nowadays, there are many to choose from and the right one for you will depend on many factors, including your specific visual needs. Mr Dan Lindfield, a leading consultant ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Guildford and Farnham, Surrey explains the pros and cons of the different types of IOLs and what to expect before and after surgery. These state of the art implants potentially allow for complete freedom of glasses. However, in practice, most patients feel that they are less dependent on glasses but still occasionally use them for prolonged periods of close work, such as reading a good book.

They have no “shelf life”. Once implanted they will last a lifetime and do not require changing in the future. They are available in small incremental strengths to enable surgeons to leave patients as close to their perfect prescription as possible. Aiming for a prescription of 0.00 means that distance activities can be seen without glasses - this includes day to day life, driving and TV.During the operation, you’ll just experience a bright light, sensations or water around the eye and you’ll hear our theatre music. You don’t see any of the “work” happening. Some patients even see kaleidoscopic colours and patterns during surgery. When the operation is complete, you’ll sit up with a clear eye shield over the eye. The glasses I choose to wear are from the RNIB – However, there are a lot of other companies and organisation out there providing both Wrap Arounds and Fit Overs. The glasses in this post can be found here at the Royal National Institute for The Blind

Cataract surgery and RLE take approximately 10 minutes per eye. We usually operate on both eyes 1-2 weeks apart, but both eyes on the same day is sometimes performed if deemed the best thing for your needs and can be standard practice for some surgeons. As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, Patient satisfaction with monofocal lenses is high and very few negative effects have been reported. However, enablinga change of focal length (e.g. for reading or computer use) often requires the addition of reading glasses. I definitely recommend patients ask their surgeon which lens they think is right for them. Your surgeon will have many years of experience and will know what is most appropriate for your eye, lifestyle and expectations. There is a lot of science here but lens selection is also an art and a skill. In my clinic, you’ll be offered a biscuit (chocolate chip is the best!) after the procedure and be given the do’s and don’ts before you head home.There are two main types of lens: monofocaland multifocal/trifocal. Both types are also available in toric (astigmatism reducing) variants. Monofocal lenses perform very well in low sun, dim light or in the presence of other eye diseases (which may preclude the use of trifocal lenses). These implants can allow excellent visual function at a set distance. They can correct shortsightedness or longsightedness. They aim to leave patients without glasses for a defined focal length, which is usually for distance vision.