COMMON TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LENSES: STRUCTURE, USES, CLASSIFICATION, ADVANTAGES, COSTS

13/11/2024

In the era of constantly developing medical technology, treating common eye diseases such as cataracts has become much easier. The most advanced and effective solution is to replace the natural cataract with an artificial lens, applied in Phaco surgery and Cataract Laser surgery. Currently, medical companies/corporations produce many different types of artificial lenses, with unique characteristics suitable for each patient. Join Japan International Eye Hospital to learn about popular types of artificial lenses, thereby helping patients make informed decisions before entering an important surgery.

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Artificial lenses used in Phaco and Laser Cataract surgery

What is an artificial lens?

The natural lens inside the eye is a biconvex, transparent, dense, highly elastic lens that focuses light onto the retina, from which signals are transmitted to the brain to help us perceive images. Cataract is a condition in which proteins accumulate into clumps, creating opaque areas in the lens, scattering light passing through, blocking light from reaching the retina, and also reducing the elasticity of the lens, causing the patient's vision to decline. An artificial lens is an intraocular lens made of transparent material, compatible with the human body, used in cataract surgery to replace the natural lens that has become cloudy, thereby restoring vision to the patient. Artificial lenses also have the effect of correcting refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism).

In terms of structure, artificial lenses are designed based on the function of natural lenses, containing many lens fibers, including 3 layers of capsule - shell - nucleus, with a thickness of about 3 - 4mm, width of 8 - 10mm. The materials used to make the lens are silicone, acrylic or PMMA plastic. In particular, the surface of the artificial lens is made of UV-resistant material, helping to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of sunlight.

Classification of artificial lenses

Monofocal artificial lenses

Monofocal artificial lenses are optimally designed for near or far vision. Depending on the needs and living habits, patients can choose the type of monofocal lens suitable for the preferred viewing range (far or near). For the remaining viewing ranges, patients will need to wear glasses to observe more clearly.

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Illustration of monofocal artificial lens

Multifocal artificial lens

Multifocal artificial lens is optimally designed for all near - far - intermediate vision without the support of glasses. However, this lens is contraindicated in some cases such as:

  • Patients with retinal detachment, retinal hemorrhage, glaucoma and some other eye diseases.
  • Weakened or broken zinn ligament, distorted pupil due to difficulty in fixing the center of the artificial lens.
  • People who often drive at night due to the halo phenomenon that may occur after surgery.

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Illustration of multifocal artificial lenses

Information on popular types of artificial lenses today

SAV-IOL brand (Switzerland)

  • Lucidis monofocal artificial lenses: The latest generation of monofocal artificial lenses, good visual quality even in low light conditions, exclusive product of Japan International Eye Hospital. Normal Lucidis cost: 24,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 43,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery. Cost of Lucidis combined with astigmatism treatment: 40,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 58,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery. Lucidis also applies depth-of-field enhancement technology to help extend the range of vision to the average range of vision.
  • Eden multifocal artificial lens: The latest generation of multifocal artificial lens applies EDOF technology to increase depth of field for good visual quality even in low light conditions, clear vision at all distances, has the ability to adjust most similar to natural lens, exclusive product of Japan International Eye Hospital. Normal Eden cost: 35,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 53,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery. Eden cost combined with astigmatism treatment: 58,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 76,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.

Carl Zeiss brand (Germany)

  • Asphina monofocal artificial lens: Proven for many years, low aberration, reduces glare when looking at strong light sources, suitable for many different corneal conditions. Cost: 16,000,000 VND for Phaco surgery, 34,000,000 VND for Cataract Laser surgery.
  • Lucia monofocal intraocular lens: Low aberration, optimizes image quality even in cases of eccentricity and lens misalignment, maintains contrast sensitivity of visual function, limits post-operative optical complications. Cost: 18,000,000 VND for Phaco surgery, 36,000,000 VND for Cataract Laser surgery.
  • Multifocal intraocular lens
  • AT Lisa: 3-focal technology for clear images at all viewing angles. Cost: 45,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 63,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.
  • AT Lara multifocal intraocular lens: Exclusive Smooth Microphase (SMP) technology helps minimize light scattering, limit post-operative side effects, optimize eye contrast sensitivity, helping patients have clear vision even at night. Cost: 36,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 54,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.

Johnson & Johnson brand (USA)

  • Sensar monofocal intraocular lens: Hydrophobic material helps limit post-operative complications, ProTEC 360° edge design helps limit lens movement when placed in the patient's eye. Cost: 16,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 34,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.
  • Za 9003 monofocal intraocular lens: Low aberration, restores optimal vision. Cost: 20,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 38,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.
  • Optiblue ZCB00V monofocal intraocular lens: Exclusive aspherical design helps improve optimal vision, yellow lens has the function of filtering violet light, helping patients receive blue light that is not harmful to the eyes, increasing sensitivity when seeing far away. Cost: 20,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 38,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.
  • Tecnis Synergy multifocal intraocular lens: InteliLight TM technology helps to provide superior image contrast, support to reduce visual impairment, sharp vision, has the ability to filter purple light, minimize the condition of halos after surgery. Cost: 70,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 78,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.

Alcon brand (USA)

  • IQ monofocal intraocular lens: Anti-blue light, low aberration, limits posterior capsule opacity, exclusive Hydrophobic Acrylic material is highly compatible with the body, optimal design helps to fix the lens position to fit the eye. IQ panoptix cost: 56,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery - 74,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery. IQ vivity cost: 60,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery - 78,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.

Hoya brand (Japan)

  • Hoya monofocal artificial lens: Exclusive aspherical design helps improve optimal vision, maintain contrast sensitivity of visual function, limit optical complications after surgery. Cost: 17,000,000 VND with Phaco surgery, 35,000,000 VND with Cataract Laser surgery.

Bausch & Lomb brand (USA)

  • Adapt AO monofocal artificial lens: The world's first aspherical Acrylic IOL lens with aberration neutralization, providing optimal image quality, exclusive Square-Edge technology and 360° shielding to minimize lens movement when placed in the patient's eye. Cost: 20,000,000 VND for Phaco surgery, 38,000,000 VND for Cataract Laser surgery.

Answers to frequently asked questions about artificial lenses

Can artificial lenses be damaged?

Artificial lenses are made from highly durable materials, with a lifespan equal to that of humans, so they do not damage and do not need to be replaced after a certain period of time.

Are artificial lenses safe?

Artificial lenses have high biocompatibility with the human body, are recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have been tested for safety for more than 50 years by millions of cataract patients worldwide. Therefore, the lens can exist permanently inside the eye without causing harm to the eye.

In some rare cases, patients may still experience symptoms such as blurred vision, anterior chamber hemorrhage, posterior capsule opacification, eye pain, retinal detachment, and postoperative endophthalmitis. These conditions may disappear on their own after a few days or be treated with procedures as prescribed by an ophthalmologist.

How to know which type of artificial lens is suitable for the patient?

According to ThS. Dr. Nguyen Duc Quang at Japan International Eye Hospital, choosing the right type of artificial lens is based on many factors such as eye parameters, fundus condition in particular and eye health in general, future eye needs, personal financial conditions. Therefore, patients need to have a thorough examination with an ophthalmologist to be advised on the appropriate treatment plan.