SMART LENSES (TRIFOCAL AND MULTIFOCAL LENSES)
Smart Lenses (Trifocal and Multifocal Lenses)
Intraocular lens therapy is a collective term for several different procedures, most notably refractive lens exchange (RLE) and cataract surgery.
During the lens replacement procedure, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens to reduce refractive error and improve focus. In doing this, the patient significantly reduces the need for glasses or no longer needs them. Nowadays, smart lenses, which replace standard lenses, are used more and more every day.
WHAT IS SMART LENS?
Every patient who will have cataract surgery or laser lens surgery asks: "What kind of intraocular lens will I have in my eye?" asks the question. This is the first question asked when the natural lens of the eye is replaced, whether it is for treatment purposes due to cataracts or simply to reduce the dependence of someone with hyperopia, myopia or astigmatism on glasses.
If the patient wants to remain without glasses completely, he/she should choose smart lenses in both eyes. If a person has cataracts and wants to see both near and far without glasses after cataract surgery, smart lenses are the first choice. During cataract surgery, the person's natural lens is removed and a smart lens is placed in the same place. Cataract is the clouding of the natural lens over time and for different reasons. Normally, a young person can see all distances such as far, medium and near in one eyepiece. The function of our lenses begins to decrease as we age. The main purpose of cataract surgery is to replace a natural but cloudy lens with a new artificial lens.
Nowadays, single vision lenses have been replaced by multifocal intraocular lenses. Because these smart lenses correct vision disorders from all angles and make vision as natural as possible. Multifocal smart lenses come in two different forms: bifocal or trifocal. Bifocal lenses are called multifocal lenses, and three-focal lenses are called trifocal lenses.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SMART LENSES?
Smart lenses are the lenses most similar to our natural lenses. The advantages of choosing smart lenses are many. It offers the person comfort and quality of life. To summarize in general terms, the advantages of smart lenses are as follows:
• There is no need to use glasses after smart lenses.
• Patient after smart lens; He can easily read books, use a computer, and see distant text easily.
• Provides uninterrupted and clear vision for near, medium and long distances.
• Makes vehicle use easier.
• Increases quality of life.
SMART LENS TYPES
One of the multifocal lens types is used during cataract surgery. These types are Multifocal and Trifocal (smart) lenses.
TRIFOCAL LENSES
Trifocal lenses, called smart lenses, have been used by experts during cataract surgeries for a long time. Intraocular lenses are divided into two groups: monofocal and multifocal. Trifocal, also called smart lens, has 3 focuses. After this surgery, patients can read books, use computers and watch television without glasses.
3-focus lenses, also known as smart lenses, have become one of the frequently used methods in our country for approximately 3-4 years. Before trifocal lenses, multifocal lenses were generally used. However, when there were problems with the intermediate distance in these lenses, they were switched to trifocal lenses. The most important advantage of these lenses is that they clearly show the intermediate distance, which is not possible with other lenses. This feature, which was not available in previous lenses, has improved the quality of life of many patients with trifocal lenses.
TRIFOCAL LENS SURGERY
Trifokal lensler, uzağı ve yakını iyi görmeyi sağlamasının yanı sıra orta mesafede de iyi bir görüş sağlamaktadır. Bu lensin uygulanabilmesi için hastalarda katarakt oluşmuş olması gerekli değildir. Bununla beraber hastaların lazer tedavisine uygun olmaması da bu yöntemin kullanılmasını sağlar. Trifokal lens tedavisinde her göz için 10-15 dakika kadar işlem yapılmaktadır. Bu süreçte hasta herhangi bir ağrı ya da acı hissetmez. Ameliyat sırasında kataraktlı olan mercek çıkarılır ve yerine trifokal adı verilen akıllı mercekler yerleştirilir. Hasta bu operasyon sonrasında normal hayatına devam edebilmektedir. Fakat yine de 20 gün kadar ağır aktivitelerin yapılmaması şarttır. Trifokal mercekler göze takıldıktan sonra gözde ömür boyu kalmaktadır. Yakın ve uzakta görme problemi yaşayan uygun olan tüm hastalarda bu mercekler başarılı bir biçimde uygulanabilmektedir.
ADVANTAGES OF TRIFOCAL LENS
With trifocal lenses, quality vision can be achieved at all distances. Using the latest trifocal lenses, the patient expresses great visual satisfaction the day after surgery in most cases.
Generally speaking, multifocal vision can be achieved the very next day or a few days after surgery. In some isolated cases, adaptation may take several weeks to complete. In the first days after surgery, any visual task can be performed, albeit gradually.
With trifocal lenses;
• First of all, to have the same vision that the patient had in his youth,
• Being able to see all distances without glasses and seeing properly at all light levels,
• Getting rid of myopia and hyperopia, with or without astigmatism,
• Books, newspapers, projects, food menus, etc. read without problems.
• Use of mobile phones, tablets and computers without any visual restrictions.
• Driving during the day and at night, going to the movies and reading subtitles without any problems.
• It becomes easier to read teletext on television.
MULTIFOCAL LENSES
Some people use separate glasses to see both near and far. Some people can see both far and near with a single pair of glasses. Multifocal lenses are intraocular lenses that allow patients to see both near and far. There are different and various rings in multifocal lenses. With some of these rings, you can see near and with some, you can see far. In this way, the patient can have a clear vision.
MULTIFOCAL LENS SURGERY
In order for multifocal lenses to be used, precise measurements are made on the patient before cataract surgery. In this way, the number of the artificial lens is determined. The patient's myopia and hyperopia are also eliminated with this lens, which is then placed on the patient's eye. As it is known, standard intraocular lenses are single vision and focus only on distant vision. Multifocal lenses are bifocal and provide both near and far vision.
Most patients can return to normal daily activities 2-3 days after surgery. However, the ability to focus in new lenses may not be fully functional for 6-8 weeks after surgery as the eye must relearn how to focus on objects at various distances.
WHO IS MULTIFOCAL LENS SUITABLE FOR?
• Patients who want to get rid of glasses.
• Those with hyperopia or very high myopia.
• It can be applied to patients who cannot use contact lenses.
WHO IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MULTIFOCAL LENSES?
• Those with retinal and glaucoma problems.
• Having a very sharp vision expectation.
• It should not be applied to patients with problems in the visual center.
ADVANTAGES OF MULTIFOCAL LENS
• Sharper vision ability at various distances, both near and far.
• No need to use extra glasses.
• The transition between degrees is less sharp.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SMART LENSES
Is there an age limit for smart lenses?
Smart lenses are generally applied after the age of 45-50. However, there is no upper limit. It can be applied to anyone who has suitable eye structure and can afford the cost of the lens.
Do smart lenses have side effects?
After applying smart lenses to unsuitable eyes, glare, glare and decreased vision quality may occur.
Will the need for near-glasses be completely eliminated after smart lens surgery?
While 90 out of 100 patients wearing trifocal lenses can see far, near and middle distance without glasses, 10 percent can use low-grade near glasses.
Macular degeneration/I am diabetic, can I have smart lens surgery?
Trifocal lenses are not preferred in patients with macular degeneration and diabetes. However, the decision is made after a detailed examination.
I have astigmatism, can I get trifocal (smart) lenses?
There are toric models that correct astigmatism in smart lenses. If smart lenses are to be applied to patients with astigmatism, the astigmatism must be completely corrected.
Can people with eye pressure wear smart lenses?
Those with eye pressure need a detailed examination. Because the damage to the eye and the condition of the optic nerves due to glaucoma are very important. In the patient group who is not suitable for trifocal lenses, lenses produced with "edof" technology that allow comfortable seeing in long and middle distances may be suitable.