You need glasses to read and find yourself increasingly frustrated by depending on them throughout the day.
Clear lens extraction · Girona
Say goodbye to glasses before the cataract arrives
We replace the lens before it clouds over and implant the one you need. No cataracts in the future, no waiting lists, with the prescription you choose.
WHAT IS IT AND WHO IS IT FOR?
A procedure for people who no longer want to depend on glasses
Clear lens extraction — also known as refractive lens exchange — replaces the natural lens with a premium intraocular lens before a cataract develops. It is the ideal option for patients over 50 with presbyopia, high myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism who are no longer candidates for laser surgery.
Presbyopia (reading vision loss)
High myopia or hyperopia
A high prescription that laser surgery can no longer correct safely or with sufficient results.
Cornea not suitable for laser
Insufficient corneal thickness or other characteristics that rule out laser refractive surgery.
Early-stage cataracts
The lens is beginning to cloud and surgery can be used to remove the future cataract at the same time.
Over 50 and glasses-free
You want to recover the visual independence you once had and stop relying on glasses or contact lenses.
Significant astigmatism
Toric lenses allow astigmatism to be corrected at the same time as eliminating dependence on glasses.
KEY BENEFITS
Why choose clear lens extraction
BENEFITS OF SURGERY
✅ Permanent solution: that eye will never develop a cataract
✅ Simultaneous correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia
✅ Stable, lasting result from the very first days
✅ Same technique as cataract surgery, with decades of accumulated experience
✅ Greater spectacle independence or complete freedom depending on the lens chosen
WHAT IF I WAIT FOR THE CATARACT?
⏳ More years depending on glasses while the cataract develops
🔬 In the public system: standard monofocal lens, no choice
📅 Waiting list of 6 to 18 months when the time comes
👓 Visual outcome dictated by public protocol, not your preferences
❌ You lose the opportunity to act at the optimal refractive moment
LENS TECHNOLOGY
We choose the right lens for you, together
There is no perfect lens for everyone. We explain the options and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and expectations.
Monofocal
HOYA Vivinex XC1
Excellent distance vision with the highest image quality. Ideal for patients who prioritise sharpness at range and accept reading glasses for close work.
Distance vision ✓✓✓
EDOF
J&J TECNIS PureSee
Continuous distance and intermediate vision. TV, computer and daily tasks without glasses. Fine print may need occasional support.
Distance ✓✓✓ · Intermediate ✓✓✓ · Mild halos
Trifocal
ZEISS ELANA
Maximum spectacle independence. Distance, intermediate and near. Most patients need no glasses at any distance.
Distance, Intermediate & Near ✓✓✓ · Night halos
HOW IT WORKS
From first contact to recovery
Full refractive assessment
Corneal topography, advanced biometry, macular assessment and selection of the optimal lens based on your prescription and lifestyle.
Personalised planning
We explain the lens options in detail. You decide how much spectacle independence you want and we plan around your daily life.
Day-case surgery
15–20 minute procedure under topical anaesthesia (drops). No hospital admission. You go home the same day.
Post-operative follow-up
Check-ups the next day, at one week and at one month. Most patients achieve excellent functional vision within just a few days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What patients ask us most
How is it different from cataract surgery?
The surgical technique is identical: the lens is removed by phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens is implanted. The difference is the timing: clear lens extraction is performed before a cataract develops, with the primary goal of correcting the prescription and eliminating dependence on glasses.
Can I still develop a cataract afterwards?
No. By removing the natural lens, the tissue that would eventually cloud over is eliminated. The operated eye cannot develop a cataract in the future.
From what age is it recommended?
Usually from the age of 45–50, when the natural lens has lost flexibility and laser surgery no longer offers the best benefit-to-risk profile. In each case we assess age, prescription and the condition of the lens.
How does it differ from laser surgery?
Laser surgery reshapes the cornea and does not remove the natural lens, so presbyopia can still progress. Clear lens extraction addresses the source of the problem directly and the result is permanent, with no risk of regression.
Is it covered by private health insurance?
This procedure is not covered by most insurers. Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia are not classified as ocular diseases under standard policies. Premium lenses (EDOF and trifocal) involve an additional contribution. We check with your insurer before the procedure so you know the exact costs.
Can I have surgery if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?
In most cases, yes, although it is essential to assess the condition of the retina and systemic disease control. We review your full medical history at the pre-operative consultation.
PATIENT TOOLS
See for yourself the difference each lens makes
Before your consultation you can explore how each type of lens performs in everyday situations and calculate how long it would take to offset the cost.
FIRST STEP
A no-obligation consultation to answer your questions
We assess whether you are a good candidate, explain which lens best suits your life and, only if you decide to go ahead, plan the procedure.
Based in Girona · In-person or video consultation available
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