I had cataract surgery performed somewhere else and I am unhappy with my vision.” “is there anything that can be done to improve my vision without using glasses or contact lenses?

Although cataract surgery can vastly improve one’s vision, its primary goal is to remove the “fog” and visual side effects caused by a clouded lens.  A potential benefit of the procedure is that the surgeon may also be able to decrease your need for glasses, but despite his/her best efforts it does not always work out that way.  Laser vision correction (LASIK/PRK) is an option that can be used to refocus the eye after cataract surgery if one qualifies for it.  For those who cannot have LASIK, are not happy with the particular implant they received, or whose implant is not well-positioned in the eye, a lens exchange procedure may be a great choice.

During a lens exchange, the surgeon can replace the original implant with one of a more appropriate strength.  The implant can be either re-folded inside the eye, or – as in this case – divided in half with micro-scissors and each piece easily removed.   The implant can then be exchanged for a similar style single-vision (monofocal) implant or better yet, a multifocal lens that can provide both reading and distance vision without the need for glasses!  The procedure takes only a matter of minutes and recovery is similar to cataract surgery.  And there really is no time limit after the original cataract surgery when it becomes “too late” to have a lens exchange.