What is clear lens extraction surgery?
Clear lens extraction (is also known as refractive lens exchange or lens replacement surgery. It is used to treat short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia) and is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is mostly used by people over 45 years of age.

What happens during clear lens extraction surgery?
During your first consultation, your specialist eye consultant will scan and test your eyes to determine whether your eyes are suited to the lens replacement surgery. The consultant will personalise your treatment according to the treatment and lens options suited to you.

Lens replacement surgery usually takes about 15 minutes and is performed on a day surgery basis. During clear lens replacement surgery, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced with a man-made intraocular lens, to change the focusing power of the eye. It is essentially the same surgical procedure as cataract surgery, which is carried out on millions of people each year. But in clear lens extraction, the eye's natural lens is not clouded. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is used to measure your eye for the correct lens power. The consultant will also take your lifestyle and activities into consideration.

Types of lenses:

The types of lenses used in replacement surgery can, for suitable patients improve vision and reduce dependency on spectacles post-operatively.

Options available include:

Monofocal lens – A monofocal lens has a fixed focal focus for one distance, most commonly used to correct distance vision.

Toric lens – A Toric lens has an uneven surface and is used to correct astigmatism.

Multifocal or Trifocal lens – A Multifocal or Trifocal lens can help you provide excellent vision at all distances.

The benefits of clear lens extraction surgery are that:

• the normal shape and thickness of the cornea remains unchanged
• the need for cataract surgery in the future is eliminated
• it enables people with mild cataracts to have vision correction surgery
• patients recover rapidly from the procedure
• it may be a better option than LASIK, PRK, LASEK refractive surgery for some people with presbyopia and high hyperopia (farsightedness).

At The Edinburgh Clinic, we offer a specialist Eye Clinic for fast access to appointments with Consultant Ophthalmologists. We treat thousands of patients each year, for a wide range of eye and vision concerns, ensuring that patients get the best possible outcome, no matter what their diagnosis. Our experienced ophthalmology consultants diagnose and treat patients with a range of eye problems, including conditions associated with the natural ageing process.

We offer an all-inclusive self-pay package for clear lens extraction surgery starting from £3,095 (terms and conditions apply). For more information and eligibility criteria, speak to one of our self-pay advisors by calling 0131 516 7277.