How long does lens replacement last?

If you are thinking about lens replacement surgery, it is natural to wonder how long the results will last. Is it a permanent fix or will you need more treatment later?

The answer is that lens replacement is a permanent procedure. The artificial lens placed in your eye is designed to stay there for life. It does not wear out, degrade, or need regular replacement.

In this blog, we will explain what this means for you, what can change over time, and how to make the most of your new vision.

What is lens replacement surgery?

Lens replacement surgery is also called refractive lens exchange. It is a procedure where the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens, or IOL.

This corrects vision problems such as:

• Presbyopia (age-related near vision loss)
• Long-sightedness or short-sightedness
• Astigmatism (with special toric lenses)

It also means you will never need cataract surgery in the future.

Is the lens permanent?

Yes. The artificial lens is made from a durable, biocompatible material. Once placed in the eye, it stays in position and functions like your natural lens used to. It does not wear out and is not broken down by the body.

You do not need to worry about replacing it in the future under normal conditions.

Will my vision still change?

The lens will stay the same, but the rest of the eye can still change. For example:

1. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO)

Over time, the capsule that holds the lens in place may become cloudy. This can make vision appear blurry again. PCO is common and easily treated with a quick laser procedure called YAG capsulotomy.

2. Retinal diseases

Conditions like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, or glaucoma can still occur later in life. These affect parts of the eye not touched by the lens replacement.

What happens if I need a touch-up?

In rare cases, a lens may be exchanged if the original choice is not the best match or if it shifts position. However, this is uncommon and usually identified early. Our detailed pre-surgery testing greatly reduces the risk of needing this.

Will I need glasses later?

Many people enjoy excellent vision without glasses after lens replacement. Whether you remain glasses-free depends on:

• The type of lens chosen
• Your overall eye health
• The development of other age-related changes

Multifocal and extended depth of focus lenses offer the best chance of freedom from glasses.

How does this compare to laser eye surgery?

Laser surgery reshapes the surface of the eye, but it does not stop the natural lens from ageing. People who have laser surgery often still need reading glasses later. With lens replacement, the ageing lens is removed entirely, providing a longer-lasting solution.

Final thoughts

Lens replacement is a permanent fix for many vision problems. The artificial lens does not wear out and does not need replacing. While the rest of your eye may still change with age, most people enjoy long-lasting results and clear vision for many years.

Take our free suitability self-test to find out if lens replacement is the right choice for you.