Q & A

• Q How long does the lens last after lens implantation surgery?

  After lens implantation surgery, the implanted lens typically does not need to be removed unless there are specific issues, making it semi-permanent. At Jeju Samsung Eye Hospital, lens implantation surgery has been performed since 2003, when it was first approved in Korea, and there have been no significant issues with the lenses over the past 20 years. Compared to SMILE LASIK or LASEK, implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery maintains the patient's vision for the longest period after surgery.

• Q Is lens implantation surgery a better option than SMILE LASIK or LASEK?

  It cannot be said that lens implantation surgery is always a better option than SMILE LASIK or LASEK for everyone. This is because different eye conditions may make one procedure more suitable than another. Since lens implantation involves inserting a lens inside the eye, the anterior chamber depth (the space where the lens is placed) must be at least 3 millimeters, and the corneal endothelial cells must be in normal condition for the surgery to be possible.

• Q How fast is the recovery after lens implantation surgery?

  Lens implantation surgery involves placing a precisely prescribed lens inside the eye, resulting in a rapid recovery. Patients often achieve 1.0 or better vision in both eyes on the same day as the surgery. The day after the surgery, the pupil, which was dilated for the procedure, returns to its normal size, leading to even better vision. Thus, lens implantation surgery is considered one of the fastest in terms of vision recovery.

• Q How long does lens implantation surgery take?

  The actual lens implantation procedure, where the surgeon makes a corneal incision, inserts the lens, and completes the surgery, typically takes less than 5 minutes per eye. Prior to the surgery, the pupil needs to be dilated to ensure safety, which takes about one hour. After the surgery, patients usually rest for about two hours before undergoing vision and intraocular pressure checks before discharge.

• Q Is there any pain after lens implantation surgery?

  Lens implantation surgery generally involves little to no pain. It is associated with less discomfort compared to SMILE LASIK, and the vision recovery is also faster.

• Q Can you resume daily activities immediately after lens implantation surgery?

  Most patients experience clear vision and can return to most daily activities the day after the surgery. However, since a small incision (2.5mm) is made in the cornea to insert the lens, you should avoid washing your face and rubbing your eyes for about a week until the incision has healed.

• Q Why is lens implantation surgery so expensive?

  The primary reason for the high cost of lens implantation surgery is the price of the lenses themselves. Similar to SMILE LASIK, which requires a patient interface (PI) for each procedure, lens implantation involves expensive toric ICLs (which correct astigmatism) that further increase the cost of the surgery.

• Q Are there special surgical techniques for lens implantation at different hospitals?

  Some hospitals may exaggerate or claim to use unique surgical methods for lens implantation, but in reality, lens implantation is less complex than cataract surgery. A surgeon experienced in cataract surgery can easily perform lens implantation. While some hospitals might claim benefits from positioning the lens vertically to reduce astigmatism or using different types of viscoelastic substances during the surgery, the most important factors are the precise placement of the lens with minimal manipulation and efficient use of viscoelastic materials. Therefore, surgeons skilled in cataract surgery are typically adept at performing lens implantation as well.