6 Questions About Smart Lens Treatment

What is a “smart lens”?

In fact, “smart lens” is a term used only in our country. This method is used all over the world. For example, the term “trifocal intraocular lens” is quite common in the USA. There is no “smart” lens, it is a “multifocal” lens technique. This process is similar to the logic of multifocal glasses and contact lenses. As in the whole world, the name of this method should be “multifocal lens” instead of smart lens in our country. Because when we call it “smart”, people may have the misconception that this is a very different technique and can solve all vision problems, whatever the reason is. Although there are many causes of vision problems, this method can only correct vision problems secondary to a few causes.

What eye problems is it used for?

This method is applied during a conventional cataract surgery. Only single focal lenses were used in previous cataract surgeries. In this case, we could only adjust the patient's vision for one focus (distance or near). This is also valid for glasses. Those with distance and near vision deficiencies can use both two separate eyeglass frames and glasses that combine distance and near visions in one eyeglass frame. If the patient does not want to use glasses, today distance and near visions can be ensured by using multifocal lenses, even without cataracts.

What kind of advantages does it have?

These lens surgeries are for patients who want to see distance and near without glasses.

How does the method work, can you briefly describe the surgical procedure?

The surgical procedure is not different from a routine cataract surgery, only the patient's natural lenses are replaced with multifocal lenses instead of single focal lenses. However, a detailed preoperative examination and measurements are made. It is very important to primarily determine whether it is suitable to the patient.

What is the success rate? How does it affect the patient's quality of life?

If the patient is suitable, success and satisfaction rates are quite high. In unsuitable patients, dissatisfaction after this procedure can be disturbing.

Which patients are eligible for this?

This method is not applicable and should not be applied to every patient. It should not be applied to those who have an eye disease other than cataract or refractive error. This method should not be applied in disease groups such as macular degeneration (yellow spot disease), glaucoma (eye pressure), patients with a history of refractive surgery (laser), those with diabetes-related retinal disorders, those with corneal problems, and patients with myopia under middle age.

What should patients pay attention to after the procedure? When will they return to their normal lives?

The post-procedure process is the same as routine cataract surgery. As in the process after cataract surgery, patients can continue their normal lives between a few days to a week, depending on their work and living environment. In the postoperative period, eye drops should be used between 2 weeks to one month.