For some people, the hope of getting laser surgery on their eyes to improve sight or cure a condition is something that is simply impossible. The reasons can vary, but generally have to do with their personal health, factors surrounding the particular eye condition and even psychological history. Depending on the eye defect, therefore, the best alternative is to have a refractive lens exchange done, a procedure that just as safe and promises equally successful results. It may be true that when it comes to matters of the eye, laser surgery is the favoured choice as much for its promise of speedy effectiveness as for the impression that the procedure has greater precision than a more traditional one. However, there are many people who are simply too uncomfortable with the idea of a laser beam directed on their eye and are much happier opting for a procedure that involves a more traditional, though admittedly more hands on, technique. However, as is often the case when it comes to the eye, age is also a significant factor. It is a similar situation with cataract surgery, where age also plays a part in whether the procedure is suitable or not. Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions amongst the older generations, with almost two thirds of 60 years olds having had a cataract. There is no age limit to having surgery to remove cataracts but there is a reluctance of carry out surgery on people who are too young. When it comes to age, surgery to remove and replace defected refractive lenses is ideally carried out on patients that are over the age of 45. The procedure itself involves removing the defective natural lens on the eye and replacing it with an artificial one. However, while this sounds rather straight forward, though obviously highly precise in practice, these implanted lenses are enhanced compared to the original. The idea is that they not just replace the old lens but provide the same advantages as glasses and contact lenses. In effect, the surgeon carrying out the operation can replace the natural lenses with a choice of monovision, prescription and even multi focal lenses. Taking the monovision lens option means that lenses with a single ability are placed in each eye, but the respective lenses have different abilities. For example, the left eye may be given a lens that can focus on items at a distance, while the right eye may be given a lens that can focus items that are close. The second lens option sees the vision in both eyes corrected in the same way, generally to improve the ability of focus on items that are at a distance. The result is near perfect vision for seeing at distance, but seeing close up is not so good. It may be that one can read, or examine items, for a short period of time but for prolonged periods of time, glasses are needed. Finally, multifocal lenses allow for a variety of focusing tasks to be accomplished, thereby removing the need for glasses completely. The lenses are structured into zones so that the eye can focus through the relevant zone for specific tasks. Typically, the lens has near, intermediate and distance zones, allowing for the full range of sight requirements to be met. Having a refractive lens exchange procedure can resolve a range of corneal defects, and for those who are not permitted to have laser surgery, it is a welcome alternative. Patients who are breast feeding, for example, are not encouraged not to undergo laser surgery because of the hormone changes that can affect eye prescriptions. As with any procedure, not only on the eye, laser surgery cannot be carried out on patients who are on strong medication, who are HIV positive, who have some types of cancer, have epilepsy or have rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, naturally dry eyes, eyes with high pressure, and eyes with high prescriptions also rule a patient out, though unlike cataract surgery, age is not such a major issue. But thanks to lens exchange operations, a capable alternative is available.
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