Intraocular lens implants, which may be used to treat cataracts, replace the eye's natural lens with a clear plastic implant. The implant corrects the refractive error caused by the cataract-clouded lens. People with a monofocal lens implant still need reading glasses, because the implant does not affect how well you can focus on near objects. There are some multifocal lens implants, but they are new. Thick glasses or contact lenses are seldom needed after cataract surgery.

Replacing the eye's natural lenses with lens implants corrects severe nearsightedness (myopia) in people who do not have cataracts. This is called "clear lens extraction."

Lens implants may also be placed without removing the eye's natural lenses. These implants, called "phakic intraocular lenses" or "implantable contact lenses," are placed in front of the natural lens, either in front of or behind the iris.

Intraocular lens implants can effectively correct moderate to severe nearsightedness.¹. But the main risk of lens implants is retinal detachment. This risk is larger with higher degrees of nearsightedness. Talk to your doctor to see if lens implants are a safe choice for you.