Ageing is a natural process. Some people dread it, and some embrace it, but ageing is inevitable. With ageing, various aspects of your body, such as eyesight, also change. Even people with the best vision lose the battle against cataracts with time. However, despite being a leading cause of visual impairment in Australia, cataracts are a temporary road bump. Intraocular lens implant in Sydney is your weapon against cataracts. This surgery helps you regain vision by fixing the eye lens.
What is Intraocular Lens Implant?
An intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) is a special lens to remove the cloudy coating caused by cataracts on your natural lens. Cataract clouds the eye lens, blurring it and causing vision loss. Since the lens becomes cloudy, light rays lose focus. An IOL is a tiny, lightweight lens placed inside the eye during surgery. It fixes your natural lens’s focusing power, allowing it to display images on the retina.
What is the Difference Between IOL and Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are removable. Therefore, you must clean them before and after the surgery. On the other hand, an intraocular lens is permanent. It remains inside your eye post-surgery, saving you the time and effort of removing, cleaning, and re-inserting it.
What is IOL Used For?
In addition to treating cataracts, IOLs also cure myopia or short-sightedness.
Post-Surgery Resting Time:
You bounce back from an IOL operation significantly quicker than standard eye surgeries. Even though the recovery time varies from patient to patient, the average time for vision recovery or clarity is 24–26 hours after the operation. Even so, it would be best to rest for three to four days to give your eyes ample healing time.
Furthermore, waiting for three to four days allows you to monitor your progress. Even though the surgery is safe, it is normal and common to experience vision fluctuations for the first couple of weeks before subsiding. However, if the problem persists, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
What Are The Dos And Don’ts of Intraocular Lens Implant Aftercare?
IOL is a quick, safe, and painless surgery. It replaces your natural lens with a small, plastic one to restore your vision, prevent cataracts, or fix myopia. However, following some essential aftercare tips will make the process safer and healthier despite having a short recovery period.
- Do not drive for the first couple of days after your surgery. Before sitting behind the wheel, you must notify Sydney transport authorities of your current medical conditions or surgeries.
- Limit your screen time (television, phone, or computer) to avoid straining your eyes.
- Do not rub your eyes post-IOL procedure.
- Wear sunglasses when going out, as sunlight can affect your recovery period.
- Chlorine can have adverse side effects on your IOL surgery, so avoid swimming for a couple of days.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup to prevent allergic reactions.
- Maintain a balanced diet, such as fibre-rich food, green vegetables, and protein-filled food. According to Diabetes Australia, sugar-heavy foods can cause vision loss. Therefore, avoid consuming refined carbohydrates or high-sugar snacks like bread and chips.
- Your clinic will provide a protective eye flap to cover your eyes when sleeping or napping. During the first few weeks, shielding your eyes would help you avoid touching or rubbing them in your sleep.
Final Thoughts:
A cataract is an inevitable stop in life, and an intraocular lens implant in Sydney helps you cross it. IOLs are artificial lenses that replace natural lenses when cataracts make them cloudy. IOL procedures help you regain vision by treating cataracts and myopia quickly and painlessly.