 |
 Clear
Lens Exchange (CLE) and Cataract surgeries are basically the same procedure.
To understand these two procedures it is important to understand the
eye and some of the basic facts about how your eye works. In this section,
we will explain how the lens of the eye affects your vision and the
difference between these two procedures.
Light passes through the cornea, which is transparent, the pupil, the
lens and then focuses on the retina. The lens of the eye, which is normally
crystal clear, focuses light onto the retina. The image is then transmitted
by the optic nerve to the brain, where the actual process of "seeing"
takes place.
Clear Lens Exchange (CLE)
Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) is a refractive procedure that is used for
the correction of myopia, hyperopia,
and some degrees of astigmatism. We are presently
offering CLE to patients who are severely nearsighted, farsighted or
over 50 years of age.
This procedure changes the way the light reaches the retina by removing
the eye's natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens.
The intraocular lens is customized to each individual so you will be
less dependent from glasses, just as you would be if you had one of
the other refractive procedures we offer.
Removal of
the clear lens |
Insertion of
the intraocular implant |
CLE is the exact same technique as cataract surgery, therefore the safety
and predictability of this procedure has already been established. Our
doctors perform cataract surgery weekly and over the years have performed
over hundreds of thousands.
The advantages of CLE are:
- Fewer unwanted visual side effects , i.e. glare, starbursts and
halos
- Ability to use a multifocal implant, which is like a bifocal lens.
- Eliminating the need for cataract surgery in the future.
While the disadvantages are:
- Inducing Presbyopia or the need for reading glasses
- This is an intraocular procedure and there are different risks
than the risks of refractive corneal procedures.
There are certain patients who are not candidates for refractive procedures,
like LASIK, LASEK and PRK for example patients with severe degrees of
nearsightedness or farsightedness, and in those cases the Clear Lens
Exchange (CLE) procedure has opened the door to the freedom of vision
without glasses or contacts.
CLE patients must have a complete medical clearance and have had a recent
eye exam. The CLE procedure is performed at our outpatient surgical
facility and takes about 10 minutes per eye to perform. The procedure
is usually done in 2 visits approximately 2 weeks apart. You will notice
improvement in your vision almost immediately and it will continue to
improve over the next several days following your procedure.
CLE is intended to help patients minimize their dependency on glasses
or contact lenses but cannot guarantee that you won't need glasses after
the procedure or at some time in the future.
In order to determine if you are a candidate, we invite you to schedule
a complimentary consultation visit to
see if CLE is the procedure for you.
Cataract Surgery
The term "cataract" refers to a clouding or loss of transparency of
the lens of the eye. Cataracts do not "grow" or "ripen". A cataract
is not skin over the eye, nor is it a tumor. A cataract progresses as
a result of increasing cloudiness of the lens, which causes difficulty
for the light to pass through the lens. This results in dim, distorted
or blurred images on the retina and decreased vision. It's like looking
through a dirty window.
Here are some examples of how a cataract can interfere with your vision.
Normal Vision |
Vision with
a Cataract |
Vision blurred
from a cataract compared to clear vision without a cataract
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There is no way of predicting how rapidly a cataract will progress.
Some develop slowly over a period of many years, while others progress
rapidly. At the present time, there is no known treatment that will
slow or stop the progression of a cataract. With the techniques available
today, cataracts can be removed at any stage in which visual impairment
is evident.
The cause of most cataracts is unknown. They probably are a result of
the aging process. However, a cataract may be caused or accelerated
by conditions such as injury, inflammation inside the eye, certain disorders
of blood chemistry and some drugs.
The surgeons at Gulf South Eye Associates use the phacoemulsification
technique to remove a cataract. With this technique, the cloudy lens
is broken up, using an ultrasound probe that allows removal of the pieces
of cataract through a tiny incision. A soft, plastic intraocular lens
is then carefully inserted, and visual recovery is very rapid. The incision
may not even require sutures.
Removal of
the clear lens |
Insertion of
the intraocular implant |
The intraocular lens that is implanted during your
cataract surgery is usually made of solid silicon or acrylic, both types
of material have a long and very good safety record of use within the
eye. The implant is supported with the remaining capsular bag.
An intraocular
implant |
The back part of the capsular bag may thicken and
cloud, this is also called "an after cataract" or "a second cataract".
It may then be opened using a special laser called the YAG laser. This
procedure usually takes only a few minutes. It's painless and is performed
in your doctor's office on an outpatient basis and takes less than 10
minutes.
cloudy capsule |
implant after
laser surgery |
What to expect the day of cataract surgery
Your cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at one of our surgical facilities. A complete medical clearance is required at least 1 week prior to your surgery day.
On the day of your cataract surgery, you will be given mild intravenous sedation and a topical anesthetic eye drop. It usually takes 15 - 20 minutes for your cataract to be removed.
After your cataract is removed, you may resume your normal lifestyle as soon as you feel comfortable. You will need to wear an eye shield for the afternoon following your procedure. You will also be required to instill several types of eye drops for 3 weeks following your surgery.
Your surgeon will see you in the office the day after your surgery and several times for 3 months following your surgery. It takes several months for your eye to heal. During that time, your vision may vary.
At home, you should observe a few precautions:
-
Avoid straining
- Do not lift heavy objects
- Avoid getting any water in your eye for 1 - 2 weeks
- Do not push on the eye
- Return to your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience a progressive increase in pain or decrease in vision.
You may use your vision as much as you want. You may go outside into the sunlight without damaging your eye. Your eyes may be more sensitive to sunlight or glare. In general, you may do what you want to do except avoid strenuous activity for the first 3 weeks after surgery.
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