The role of lens implantation in cataract surgery

Cataract surgery results in a substantial loss of the refractive power of the eye, which may be corrected by wearing cataract glasses, by using contact lenses, or by replacing the cataractous lens with an intraocular lens implant. This chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods, and emphasizes the role of lens implants. The three kinds of intraocular lens implants currently available include the iris-supported lens, the anterior chamber lens, and the posterior chamber lens. Intraocular lens implants are rapidly becoming the method of choice in many patients who require cataract operations.