What is an Aphakik Lens?

mamcita · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:56 PM

What does "aphakik" mean? Is it a special kind of lens for a special vision problem, like a toric lens for astigmatism?

Sir Robin · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 04:47 PM

Aphakia is when someone has had their natural lens removed. Most people have an implant put in when it is removed and are called pseudophakic, if they don't and they simply take the old lens out without replacing it then it is called aphakia. So a very strong contact lens to make up for missing your natural lens is called an apakic lens.

Metsman · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Robin

Aphakia is when someone has had their natural lens removed. Most people have an implant put in when it is removed and are called pseudophakic, if they don't and they simply take the old lens out without replacing it then it is called aphakia. So a very strong contact lens to make up for missing your natural lens is called an apakic lens.

Wow. Why would someone have their natural lenses removed? Cataracts? If a person has contact lenses to replace their natural lenses, they're permanently in place right? I'd hate to drop my contact lens if it's the only lens I have.

Sir Robin · #4 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 12:00 PM

It is usually due to cataracts or an accident.
I have heard that they will in some cases remove the natural lens as a form of corrective surgery but in those cases they always replace the lens with an implanted lens.

AmigaBonita · #5 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Robin

It is usually due to cataracts or an accident.
I have heard that they will in some cases remove the natural lens as a form of corrective surgery but in those cases they always replace the lens with an implanted lens.

Can I interrupt and ask a related question?

How do you pronounce "aphakik"? Is it "Ay-FA-kick" or "AFF-a-kick"? Or neither?

Sir Robin · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmigaBonita

Can I interrupt and ask a related question?

How do you pronounce "aphakik"? Is it "Ay-FA-kick" or "AFF-a-kick"? Or neither?

I have always heard and pronounced it "Ay-FA-kick"

mamcita · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 08:51 AM

Thanks for your help, Sir Robin. You're a valuable member of Lens 101.

shirley · #8 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Robin

Aphakia is when someone has had their natural lens removed. Most people have an implant put in when it is removed and are called pseudophakic, if they don't and they simply take the old lens out without replacing it then it is called aphakia. So a very strong contact lens to make up for missing your natural lens is called an apakic lens.

just curious on the causes why our natural lens been remove or replace to..

Dragonslayer · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirley

just curious on the causes why our natural lens been remove or replace to..

To quote Sir Robin's post above: "It is usually due to cataracts or an accident."

shirley · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

To quote Sir Robin's post above: "It is usually due to cataracts or an accident."

well thanks for the response Dragonslayer..i really appreciated it..just curious i guess..

Ragnarox · #11 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Robin

I have heard that they will in some cases remove the natural lens as a form of corrective surgery but in those cases they always replace the lens with an implanted lens.

Wow . . . there must be some major correction to be done if the entire lens needs to be taken out and replaced with an artificial one.