Hindsight Is 20/20 on Dr. Ridley's Invention
I was deeply gratified to read Andrew Lam's tribute to Dr. Harold Ridley, 'The Doctor and the Pilot Who Saved the Eyesight of Millions,' op-ed, Feb. 8). Ridley chose not to seek a patent or personal profit from the intraocular lens, viewing it as a gift to humanity. However, as a young eye surgeon in the late 1970s, I can attest that the eventual success and widespread adoption of IOLs wasn't simply because of growing comfort with the technology.
If anything, Dr. Lam's account of the fierce opposition from the ophthalmology establishment understates the challenges early adopters faced. No medical journal would accept submissions on IOLs, forcing us to create our own. A new professional organization had to be established to facilitate meetings and exchange knowledge. On graduating from my residency, I had to seek an IOL fellowship in private practice because that was where the experts were. The more prestigious the academic institution or ophthalmology professor, the more intense and often personal the resistance seemed to be.
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Health Line
5 days ago
- Health Line
Do You Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens inside the eye with an artificial lens. Cataracts are common as you age, and surgery is usually safe and effective. Depending on your replacement lens, you may need glasses after cataract surgery. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye due to many different causes, like aging, toxic exposures, or injury. Cataract surgery is a procedure where the damaged lens of your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant. Cataracts become more common as you get older, and more than half of Americans over age 80 develop them. Cataract surgery is usually a safe and effective procedure, but you may need to wear glasses after the surgery, depending on what type of artificial lens is implanted. Who needs glasses after cataract surgery? The lens is a curved piece of clear tissue in your eye. Situated behind your pupil, it changes the way light enters your eye and helps you focus your vision at different distances. Cataract surgery involves replacing the lens in your eye with an artificial replacement called an intraocular lens (IOL). Whether you'll need glasses after cataract surgery largely depends on what type of IOL you get. There are many IOL options. Take the time to talk with your eye surgeon beforehand so that you make the choice that's right for you The main types of IOLs include: Monofocal: Monofocal IOLs are the most common, and also the only IOL that is usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance. They focus at only one distance, either close, far, or intermediate range. Most people get them for distance vision. Multifocal: Multifocal IOLs provide both distant and near focus simultaneously. They contain different zones, shaped like concentric rings, that allow you to focus on objects far away and close up. Extended depth of focus: Extended depth of focus IOLs have only one corrective zone, which is stretched to allow distance and intermediate vision. Accommodative: Accommodative IOLs change shape like your eye's natural lens to allow you to focus at different distances. Toric: Toric IOLs correct astigmatism, a vision issue that's caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Light-adjustable lens (LAL): This newer type of IOL is the only one that can be customized after surgery. Adjustments are done through a series of office-based light treatment procedures. In one 2017 study, 81% of subjects who had cataract surgery in both eyes regularly wore glasses before their procedure. After the procedure, only 49% regularly wore glasses. If you get a monofocal IOL, you'll need glasses or contacts to see outside your lens's focus range. For instance, if you opt for an IOL for distance vision, you may still need glasses for reading or to see things clearly up close. If you're having surgery in both eyes, you may have the option to choose monovision to reduce the need for glasses, especially if you have worn monovision contacts. Monovision involves selecting the focusing power of one IOL for distance and the other for near sight. If you get multifocal IOLs, you may find that your vision is still blurry when focusing at certain distances, and you may need to wear glasses to focus in this range. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, most people with accommodative IOLs don't need to wear glasses, but some people still prefer to do so for long periods of reading or activities that require near vision. What kind of glasses are needed after cataract surgery? The type of glasses you'll need after cataract surgery will depend on what type of IOL you receive. In the case of a monofocal IOL, most people receive an IOL with distance vision correction and wear glasses for reading and activities that involve near vision. Some people get IOL lenses for near vision and wear glasses for distance vision. However, if you have a fair amount or significant amount of astigmatism and did not get Toric IOL, you will need glasses for distance and near. If you have IOLs that allow you to focus at different distances, you may still find certain distances are blurry. In this case, you may want to wear glasses that allow you to see clearly at those distances. Frequently asked questions about glasses after cataract surgery How long should you wait before getting new prescription glasses after cataract surgery? It's important to wait for your eyes to fully heal and your vision to stabilize before getting a new prescription. You may be able to get new glasses as soon as 2 weeks after your surgery. It may be longer if you have swelling or other complications. It's important to wait for your eyes to fully heal and your vision to stabilize before getting a new prescription. You may be able to get new glasses as soon as 2 weeks after your surgery. It may be longer if you have swelling or other complications. Are there any signs that indicate you need new glasses? It's typical to have some blurriness and trouble seeing for a few days after cataract surgery. If you notice persistent changes to your vision, you may need to change your prescription. Some vision changes you might notice include: blurry vision squinting a lot tired eyes frequent headaches light sensitivity It's typical to have some blurriness and trouble seeing for a few days after cataract surgery. If you notice persistent changes to your vision, you may need to change your prescription. Some vision changes you might notice include: How do you know which glasses are right for you? After you've healed from your cataract surgery, your eye doctor will perform an updated refraction to determine which eyeglass prescription is best for you. It's most common that people who undergo cataract surgery will need reading glasses after their vision has stabilized. The bottom line Cataract surgery is typically a safe and effective procedure that can correct vision blurriness or cloudiness caused by cataracts. The most common type of replacement lens is a monofocal IOL. These lenses allow your eye to focus at only one distance: either near, far, or intermediate. Most people get monofocal IOLs for distance vision and wear glasses for reading. If you get multifocal lenses that allow you to see at multiple distances, you may not need glasses. If you're unsure about what type of IOL you need or whether you'll need glasses after cataract surgery, be sure to talk with your eye doctor.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after stumbling upon creature rarely seen in over a century: 'This raises a few questions'
Citizen scientists have made a rare and exciting discovery in Renishaw Hills, South Africa, according to the South Coast Herald. The group of locals identified a rare sable cruiser dragonfly. The phrase "citizen scientists" is used to describe community members who gather information on the local environment. In Renishaw Hills, 44 locals make up the group. Together, they created a project on the global iNaturalist platform, and for the past three years, they've been studying the wildlife and biodiversity in the Renishaw Coastal Precinct. "Citizen science opens the door to an advanced system where biodiversity observations may be made constantly across the globe and shared instantly via a vast network," citizen scientist Tim McClurg told the Herald. What makes the sighting of the sable cruiser dragonfly so impressive is the species' rarity. According to IOL, since its discovery in 1920, there have only been about 20 recorded sightings. By recording the sighting, the citizen scientists are documenting the species' geographic range. "The response was immediate and enthusiastic from our local group of experts, among them Peter Small, who confirmed it was a sable cruiser, which is incredibly rare, localised and vulnerable," McClurg added. The group has gathered a significant amount of data, making 13,863 observations spread across 1,796 species. With each new observation and recording, the group adds to its understanding of the region's biodiversity. The use of tools such as trail cameras can help document biodiversity and protect species. By learning more about the natural world through initiatives including citizen scientist projects, residents can better preserve the landscapes and wildlife of their areas. The sighting of the sable cruiser dragonfly sparked curiosity among fellow scientists and experts since it marked the southernmost location of the dragonfly. "This raises a few questions," McClurg said. "Has it always occurred here and simply been overlooked? Was it blown down in a storm? Is there a link with global warming? These are the questions that we may be able to answer with a vastly increased iNaturalist database." Moving forward, the citizen scientists are eager to learn more about the environment and contribute vital data that aids biologists across the globe. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Associated Press
Swiss Virtual Clinic uniquely designed for Cataract Surgery
NEUCHTEL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 20, 2025-- If you or someone you know is dealing with cataract surgery, sorting through the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. Reliable details aren't always easy to find, which is exactly why the Swiss Virtual Clinic was created by Swiss Advanced Vision (SAV-IOL SA). This first-of-its-kind online platform offers tailored access for both patients and eyecare professionals, making it simpler than ever to access the right information in one place. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye procedures, yet for many patients, it still feels like a mystery. The Swiss Virtual Clinic makes things clearer with an easy-to-use interface that explains the procedure, potential concerns, and what to expect - all for free on For eyecare professionals, keeping up with the latest in cataract surgery can be a challenge. From available tools to technical queries, finding information takes time - time that could be better spent focusing on patients. The newly launched Swiss Virtual Clinic offers a dedicated section, packed with valuable resources to support their work. And the best part? It's designed to be intuitive and regularly updated so professionals can find exactly what they need when they need it. Since this pro section contains specialized medical content, users will need to register to ensure that only experts in the field can engage with the materials. This launch is a major evolution and reinforces SAV-IOL's portfolio built on innovation, quality, and precision. 'And it marks just the beginning. More features are already in the pipeline as we continue adapting to the evolving needs of ophthalmic surgeons and their patients,' says Alexandre Pascarella, CEO of Swiss Advanced Vision. If you're an eyecare professional looking to save time and streamline your practice, now's the perfect moment to join the Swiss Virtual Clinic. Subscriptions are open on For those attending the APAO Congress this year, there's an opportunity to experience exclusive insights firsthand. From 3rd to 6th April, Swiss Advanced Vision will be showcasing the latest innovation at its booth in New Delhi. Since 2009, SAV-IOL develops and markets advanced EDOF IOLs globally. Its LUCIDIS and EDEN lenses, powered by Instant Focus technology, provide continuous vision from near to intermediate and far distances. The Swiss Virtual Clinic opens the door to brand new tailored services accompanying surgeons and their medical teams as well as patients to approach cataract surgery in a truly disruptive way. View source version on CONTACT: Hülya AYDIN Brand & Marketing Manager [email protected] KEYWORD: EUROPE SWITZERLAND INDIA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES HEALTH SURGERY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT GENERAL HEALTH OPTICAL SOURCE: Swiss Advanced Vision Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/20/2025 12:07 PM/DISC: 03/20/2025 12:07 PM
