Surgery

The upper and lower eyelids are kept apart during the entire operation through a very small clamp. Moistening fluid is dripped at regular intervals into the eye to avoid dryness. The surgical treatment usually takes fifteen minutes.

The operation is carried out under a special surgical microscope. The opening of the eyeball occurs through a small incision with a diamond scalpel. The flimsy mantle holding the lens is opened, so that the opaque lens can be removed. For this purpose, a special instrument is used, which breaks the cataractous lens into smaller fragments through ultrasound, so that it can simultaneously be suctioned from the eye. This procedure is called phacoemulsification.

The artificial lens is then implanted into the now clear, empty lens “bag”, the so-called lens capsule. Because of the phacoemulsification-method, only a very small incision needs to be made in the eyeball during surgery. Through elaborate operation techniques it has been made possible for this small opening (2mm) to be set in a way so that it is self-sealing, ensuring water resistance. Only in very seldom cases the opening has to be secured through finest sutures.

After surgery a firm eye bandage or shield is applied, this should remain in front of the eye until the postoperative check-up the day after.
The artificial lens implanted into the eye can consist of different types of material such as silicone or acryl, both tolerable for the human body. The lens remains in the eye for a lifetime and does not need to be exchanged. It is not perceivable as a foreign body. Incompatibility or allergies towards the used materials are extremely seldom.