Aphakia

Aphakia is a term used when the crystalline lens inside the eye has been removed.

This may sound somewhat drastic, but in some cases it is necessary to remove this lens to improve overall vision. For example, in cases of cataract, the lens becomes opaque and removing the lens can often restore vision, whereas when left alone blindness may result. Unfortunately, the focusing power of the eye is greatly reduced and so a high-powered lens is required to make up the deficiency. The power of accommodation is also lacking in the aphakic eye and so a still more  powerful lens is needed for reading.

Most patients operated on for removal of the crystalline lens will be suitable for an I.O.L. (intra-ocular lens) or implant positioned within the eye to replace what the surgeon has just removed. This means the need for bulbous high-powered lenses to be worn in front of the patient’s eye in the form of spectacles is eliminated.

Patients who have had an I.O.L implant will probably still need some form of correction, especially for reading purposes but not the very high-powered lenses that used to be associated with this condition, as the technology involved in producing these implants has greatly improved in the last few years.

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