aphakia
This is when the natural lens has been removed from the eye (such as after cataract surgery) but has not been replaced with a new lens implant. In the early days of eye surgery, cataracts were removed but not replaced with anything. The vision was better but “aphakic people” required thick coke-bottle glasses to see well. Today, most people receive a new implant so aphakia is rare. Most people with aphakic eyes have had some kind of trauma or complicated cataract surgery that precludes the placement of a modern lens implant.
It is extremely rare to leave someone aphakic these days … even with trauma to the eye, an anterior chamber lens can usually be placed. Most people left aphakic are infants with congenital cataracts. As young children’s eyes are still growing, a lens is often placed later on. Strong contact lenses are used instead to help with vision (and avoid amblyopia).
HI Tim,
I am 59 years old and have been extremely nearsighted all of my life. Thanks to a severe cataract, I had surgery to become Aphakic. I am now A in my right eye. I went from extreme nearsightedness to being extremely farsighted. I’m two weeks out from surgery now and I’m using 2.5 readers to see distance and 4.5 for up close. No floaters, everything is clear as a bell! I saw the flags on the moon a few nights ago :):)