Lens Replacement Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide

You might have heard of lens replacement surgery as a possible procedure to treat cataracts, but this surgery can help your vision in more ways. Many people with different vision issues, from astigmatism to farsightedness, can benefit from lens replacement surgery — especially if they aren't a good candidate for laser eye surgery.¹

This safe procedure helps millions of Americans every year, allowing many to completely break free of contact lenses or eyeglasses.¹

What Is Lens Replacement Surgery?

Your natural eye lens is located behind your pupil. It helps focus light as it hits the back of your eye and changes shape depending on what you're focusing on.² In a lens replacement surgery, your surgeon removes your eye's lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) of your choice.³

While there are different types of lens replacement surgeries, the basic procedure is similar for them all.³

Lens replacement surgeries are most commonly used to treat the following:³

• Astigmatism
• Cataracts
• Certain eye abnormalities, such as angle-closure glaucoma⁴
• Hyperopia
• Myopia on occasion (Lens replacement isn't used as often, since there are different corrective options, like implantable contacts.³ However, some cases might benefit.⁵)
• Presbyopia

Types of Lens Replacement Surgery

1. Cataract surgery

When your natural lens becomes cloudy because of cataracts, this surgery permanently replaces it with an IOL.³

2. Refractive lens exchange (RLE)

This surgery is also called clear lens extraction.⁴ It refers to permanently replacing your clear natural lens with an IOL that corrects a specific refractive error.³ It's essentially the same as cataract surgery, only you're replacing a clear lens rather than a cloudy one.³ RLE will also prevent you from developing cataracts later.³

3. Intracameral lens (ICL) for nearsighted people

Intracameral lens or phakic IOL surgery doesn't involve actually replacing your lens.³ With this, an artificial lens is inserted between your natural lens and your iris, and your natural lens remains.³ It's usually used for people with myopia.⁵

Types of Intraocular Lenses

Choosing the right IOL may be the toughest part of any lens replacement surgery. Your eye surgeon can help you determine which lens is best for you, based on your vision issues, lifestyle and personal preference.

Some popular options include:

• Accommodative. This lens changes shape in your eye, letting you focus at different distances.⁶ You likely won't need reading glasses with this kind.³
• Extended depth of focus. This has just one zone that is designed to offer both near and far focus.⁶ This means you have to put in less effort to focus than with multifocal.⁶ Glares and halos around lights at night are possible side effects.⁷
• Monofocal. This lens has one focusing distance — either close, medium or distant. Some choose distant focus and wear reading glasses as needed.⁶
• Monovision or blended vision lenses. This means that you choose a lens in one eye that lets you focus close, and a lens in the other eye that focuses far away.³
• Multifocal. This lens has zones with different focusing power so it can offer both close and distance focusing.⁶ You likely won't need reading glasses with this kind.³ However, glares and halos around lights at night are possible side effects.⁷
• Toric. A special lens for correcting astigmatism.⁶

How Much Does Lens Replacement Surgery Cost?

The national average cost* of a lens replacement surgery is between $3,400 and $11,730, depending on the type of lens you choose.⁸ Whether you're replacing a clear lens or a lens with a cataract, the surgery itself is essentially the same.³

Lens replacement surgery cost by lens type

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* and cost ranges of lens replacement surgery according to the type of IOL.⁸

These costs can also be affected by your surgeon's experience, whether the procedure is done in a hospital or outpatient center, follow-up visits or medication and whether additional procedures are needed at the same time.⁸

Lens replacement surgery cost by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of lens replacement surgery by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁸

The difference in price is fairly stark when comparing states. For a single monofocal lens, the average cost* can be as low as $3,679 in Mississippi or as high as $6,399 in Hawaii.⁸

Is Lens Replacement Covered by Insurance?

Cataract surgery is a medical necessity, so the surgery itself will likely be covered by your health insurance.³ A basic monofocal IOL is also typically included.⁷ However, if you opt for a premium IOL rather than a basic one, the IOL may not be covered even though the surgery still is.³

Clear lens replacement surgery, unfortunately, is considered an elective procedure since you could still wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. So it may not be covered by health insurance.³

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lens Replacement Surgery?

Several factors help doctors determine whether you're a good candidate for this surgery. They include:⁹

• Age-related vision issues
• Aged 40 years or older
• Cataracts that disturb your daily job or activities
• Don't have cataracts but want clearer vision without contacts or glasses
• Laser eye surgery like LASIK not likely to work as well¹

It may not be recommended for people with the following conditions:⁴

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Corneal disease
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Myopia that might respond to a less invasive procedure like implantable contact lenses³
• Previous keratorefractive surgery
• Recurrent inflammatory eye disease
• Some cases of severe myopia, which put you at higher likelihood of retinal detachment
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Uncontrolled glaucoma
• Other contributing factors that might hinder healing¹⁰

How Lens Replacement Surgery Works

Lens replacement surgery is the same process, whether you're replacing a lens because of a cataract or another vision issue.³

Preparation

Before the surgery, you'll have an initial consultation with the eye doctor or surgeon.¹¹ They'll scan, measure and test your eyes to help you determine which lens is best for your needs.¹¹ You may be prescribed special eye drops to help reduce swelling and minimize infections.¹²

You may be asked to stop certain medications before your surgery.¹² Some surgeons may also request that you not eat solid food for six hours before your surgery.¹² It's important to follow all your doctor's instructions.

If you need both eyes done, you'll need to wait about one to two weeks between surgeries.³

Procedure

You'll be awake during your surgery, but your surgeon may give you a mild sedative to help you relax. Though you may see some light, you should not be able to tell what's being done to your eye.¹²

First, you'll get either an injection or eye drops to anesthetize your eye. Your surgeon will then make tiny incisions around your cornea so they can reach your natural lens. Next, a special ultrasound instrument is used to soften your natural lens before it's removed and replaced with the artificial lens you chose.¹²

You won't have stitches because your incisions are self-sealing. You may be given a small shield to put over your eye to protect it while it heals.¹²

The whole process typically takes only 30 minutes to an hour, and you should be able to go home the same day.¹¹

Possible side effects

Lens replacement surgery is typically safe and may involve minor side effects that resolve with time, such as eye redness or itchiness.¹

But as with any surgery, there are possible complications, such as:³

• Blurry vision or halos (particularly with multifocal IOLs)
• Droopy eyelid
• Increase in eye pressure
• Infection or bleeding
• Light sensitivity
• Retinal detachment (especially in patients with severe myopia)
• Vision that isn't corrected as much as you hoped

Lens Replacement Surgery Recovery

Recovery from lens replacement surgery is fairly simple. Because your pupil is dilated for the surgery, your vision may be a little blurry for the first 24 hours. You may also feel some discomfort as your anesthetic wears off, along with mild itching or soreness in the eye for a few days. Generally, all you need is over-the-counter pain medicine.³

It may take about a week to be able to return to most of your normal activities.³ Your doctor may recommend these timetables:¹³

• You can read or watch TV within several hours.
• You can do light exercise, like walking, the next day.
• You can shower the next day, but don't let the water hit your eye.
• Don't bend over or put your head below your waist for the first 48 hours.
• Try to sneeze or cough very gently for the first 48 hours.
• Wait a week before using warm compresses on your eye or treatments for dry eye or blepharitis.
• Wait a week for more strenuous activities like biking, sex, golf or running.
• Wait two weeks before swimming.
• If you have a strong imbalance between your eyes, you may need to wait to drive until after your second surgery.

You'll typically see your surgeon for a follow-up appointment after a week, and then have your final follow-up a month later.³

Is Lens Replacement Surgery Right for You?

Lens replacement surgery is a common procedure that millions of people have had.¹ Whether you need a cataract removed or simply want to improve your vision, this surgery can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Your eye doctor can help you know if this is the right choice for you and which type of intraocular lens is best for your vision. Just be prepared ahead of time to know what type of financing you'll want to use, in case you need lens replacement surgery that isn't covered by insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lens Replacement Surgery

Do you still have questions about lens replacement surgery? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this procedure.

Financing Lens Replacement Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you'd like to be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses, you may want to consider taking the first step to determine if you're a good candidate for lens replacement surgery. Schedule an appointment for an eye exam and a preoperative consultation with your eye doctor, who can review your eye health and answer your questions. Remember that the CareCredit credit card provides a convenient option for financing not only your lens replacement consultation and procedure but other vision care too.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit.

Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to easily manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.