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Vision correction · Lens surgery
Lens surgery in Germany
When laser is not the answer. Or the lens has clouded.
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Medical content prepared for review by Dr. med. Levent Kanal, head surgeonIn short
Lens surgery corrects vision inside the eye instead of on the cornea. Two families: an additional lens in front of your own lens (ICL) for high prescriptions in younger eyes, and the exchange of the natural lens for an artificial one — as refractive lens exchange after 45 or as cataract surgery when the lens has clouded. The new lens can be monofocal, EDoF or multifocal. About 15 minutes per eye, one eye per day, both in one trip of about four days.
How we choose — 3 steps
- 1The examination measures the inside of the eye.Biometry, OCT of macula and retina, anterior chamber, cataract grading — about 90 minutes.
- 2Your age and your lens decide the family.Clear lens and under 45: ICL. Reading glasses or cataract after 45: lens exchange.
- 3Your life decides the lens type.Reading, screen, night driving — monofocal, EDoF or multifocal.
Methods
5
ICL · lens exchange · multifocal · EDoF · cataract
Surgery time
≈ 15 min per eye
About two hours in the clinic
Both eyes
Two consecutive days
One trip, about four days
Anaesthesia
Eye drops
No injection, no general anaesthesia
Opening
2–3 mm
Self-sealing, no stitches
Typical age
21–45 (ICL) · 45+
Lens exchange, cataract
Which method?Five answers to one question: which lens?
A first orientation. The examination gives the final answer.
Under 45 · high values
Implantable lenses (ICL)
An additional lens in front of your own. Cornea untouched, reversible.
- Short-sighted between about −3 and −20 D.
- Cornea too thin or too dry for laser.
- 21 to 45, prescription stable.
45+ · clear lens
Refractive lens exchange
Your natural lens is replaced by a calculated one. No cataract later.
- Reading glasses and distance glasses at once.
- Prescription too high or cornea too thin for laser.
- Beginning cataract or family history of cataract.
Clouded lens
Cataract surgery
The same operation as a lens exchange — when the lens has clouded.
- Dull vision, glare, faded colours; glasses no longer help.
- Your eye doctor has found a cataract.
- You want to correct a prescription at the same time.
Lens type
Multifocal lenses
Near, screen and far with one lens. Some halos at night at first.
- You want to read small print without glasses.
- Office, hobbies, everyday life without glasses.
- You accept a few weeks of adaptation.
Lens type
EDoF lenses
Far and screen in one range. Fewer halos at night.
- You drive a lot at night.
- Screen and distance matter more than small print.
- Light reading glasses for small print are acceptable.
Not sure? Tell us about your eyes. The head surgeon gives you a first answer, usually within one working day.
CompareICL, lens exchange or cataract surgery — and which lens?
Two families of operation, three lens types. The examination shows which combination is yours.
Artificial lenses compared
Monofocal, multifocal or EDoF — Dr. Kanal explains.
| Corrects | Natural lens | Typical age | Both eyes | Reversible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implantable lens (ICL) | −3 to −20 D, astigmatism | Stays | 21–45 | Two consecutive days | Yes |
| Refractive lens exchange | Near and far, almost any prescription | Replaced | 45+ | Two consecutive days | No — lens can be exchanged |
| Cataract surgery | Clouded lens, plus prescription | Replaced | Any age with cataract | Two consecutive days | No — lens can be exchanged |
| Multifocal lens | Near, screen and far | Replaced | 45+ | Two consecutive days | Lens can be exchanged |
| EDoF lens | Far and screen, fewer halos | Replaced | 45+ | Two consecutive days | Lens can be exchanged |
Lens surgery patient
Patient story
“I can see everything again — near, far, and the faces of my grandchildren. I should have done it years ago.”
CostsA written quote after the examination.
No price list on the website: the quote depends on your eyes and the method. This is what you can expect.
When you get the quote
After the examination, in writing, before you decide. No obligation.
What the quote lists
Examination, the lens and the treatment of both eyes, the drops for the first weeks and the checks in our clinics — item by item.
Insurance and invoice
A private medical service in Germany. You receive an itemised invoice (GOÄ) for your insurer. Ask your insurer beforehand what they reimburse.
How you pay
By bank transfer or card, in euros. Payment options for patients from abroad are explained with the quote.
Prices are not published online because they depend on the findings of your examination. We answer cost questions personally: ask us.
From further awayComing from another region or from abroad?
Two steps. First we check remotely whether lens surgery is right for you. Only then do you travel — once, for about four days.
1Before you travel
Remote assessmentA first answer before you travel.
You tell us about your eyes and your current values in a private conversation. Dr. Kanal says which method is realistic for you. If the answer is no, you do not travel.
What we will ask you
- Your current glasses or lens values
- Your age and how long your values have been stable
- Contact lens type and any eye conditions
You get a personal answer from Dr. Kanal, usually within one working day.
Your planFour days. One trip.
- 1
Day 1 · Examination
About 90 minutes. Method and lens choice with Dr. Kanal.
- 2
Day 2 · First eye
About two hours in the clinic, 15 minutes of surgery.
- 3
Day 3 · Second eye
Check of the first eye, then the second operation.
- 4
Day 4 · Final check
In the morning. Then you travel home.
- +
At home
Routine eye check-ups near your home.
Coming from further away? The schedule can differ from this plan. Ask us before you book anything. Ask about your plan · WhatsApp
2Your visit
About 4 days with usExamination, one eye per day, and a final check.
Once the remote assessment is positive, we plan the four days around your arrival in Wiesbaden or Düsseldorf. All later checks take place near your home.
Which airport, and how do I reach the clinic?Languages
Consultation and all documents in German and English.
Insurance and invoice
A private medical service in Germany. Itemised invoice for your insurer. Written quote after the examination.
Aftercare at home
Written report for your eye doctor. We stay reachable by WhatsApp for questions after you return.
Live in Rhine-Main or the Rhineland? Then no travel planning is needed. Your follow-up checks can take place at any of our 12 locations. Find your nearest clinic
Why Dr. LookOne surgeon for every patient. Two surgical centres.
Dr. med. Levent Kanal operates on every patient himself, in Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf: thousands of operations in 25 years. He leads a large team and trains young surgeons.
25+ years
of surgical experience
Thousands
of operations, every one by the head surgeon
12 locations
one surgeon, two surgical centres
Large team
led personally; young surgeons trained here
Beyond the clinicTraining young surgeons. Giving back.
Teaching
Training the next generation of eye surgeons
Ophthalmology wetlab in Aschaffenburg · Dr. Kanal as instructor
Community
Social commitment
Neuss integration run · sport connects people
Dr. Look channelHear it from our patients.
Patient stories
Modern eye medicine for clear vision
Dr. Levent Kanal
Why Dr. Look
Artificial lenses compared — monofocal, multifocal or EDoF?Lens surgery
Is a multifocal lens right for everyone?Lens surgery
Crosslinking for keratoconus: effect & benefitsEye healthQuestions about lens surgery
ICL or lens exchange — what is the difference?
An ICL is an additional lens placed in front of your own lens, which stays; it is for high prescriptions in younger eyes and can be removed. A lens exchange replaces the natural lens; it is for reading glasses after 45 or a cataract, and prevents a cataract later.
Is cataract surgery the same as a lens exchange?
Yes, the same operation. In cataract surgery the clouded lens is replaced; in refractive lens exchange a still-clear lens is replaced to become independent of glasses. The lens types and steps are identical.
Which lens type will I get?
Monofocal for the sharpest distance vision with reading glasses; EDoF for far and screen with fewer halos; multifocal for near, screen and far. Astigmatism is corrected in the same lens. Dr. Kanal chooses with you at the examination.
Both eyes on the same day?
No. In lens surgery the second eye follows the next day, after a check of the first. Both are done in one trip of about four days.
Does it hurt?
No. Drops numb the eye and you may get a mild sedative. You see light and movement during the 15 minutes, no detail.
Who performs the treatment?
Dr. med. Levent Kanal, the head surgeon, performs every lens operation himself. In Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf.
I live far away. How many days do I need?
About four days: examination, first eye, second eye, final check. We first assess remotely whether lens surgery is realistic for you; then you travel once. Afterwards, routine eye check-ups near your home.
What does it cost?
You get a written quote after the examination, listing the lens type and everything included. In Germany this is a private service; for cataract surgery, statutory insurance covers the standard lens.
LocationsFind the clinic closest to you
Two surgical centres and ten clinics. Choose your region and get directions in one tap.
Your journey to usWhich airport, and how do I reach the clinic?
Choose your surgical centre. The map shows the airport, the other clinics and the way to us.
All treatmentsEvery method at a glance.
Laser or lens: the examination shows which treatment fits. Here are the alternatives at a glance.
Femto-LASIK
Proven. Precise. With the widest correction range.
Up to 45Short-sightedLong-sightedAstigmatism
Presbyond®
Near and far vision. Without reading glasses.
From 45PresbyopiaAstigmatism
Multifocal lenses
Reading, screen and driving with one lens.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
EDoF lenses
Far and screen distance, with fewer halos at night.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
Refractive lens exchange
The natural lens is replaced. No cataract later in life.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
Cataract
Outpatient, about 15 minutes per eye. Clear the next morning.
OutpatientMonofocalMultifocalEDoF
Scientific sources
What this page is based on
Scientific sources
What this page is based on
Peer-reviewed studies and medical societies only. No manufacturer or commercial sources.
- Peer-reviewed study
Refractive lens exchange
Alió JL, Grzybowski A, El Aswad A, Romaniuk D · Survey of Ophthalmology 2014;59(6):579–598
- Peer-reviewed study
Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction
de Silva SR, Evans JR, Kirthi V, Ziaei M, Leyland M · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016;(12):CD003169
- Peer-reviewed study
Extended depth-of-focus technology in intraocular lenses
Kohnen T, Suryakumar R · Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 2020;46(2):298–304
- Peer-reviewed study
Meta-analysis and review: effectiveness, safety, and central port design of the intraocular collamer lens
Packer M · Clinical Ophthalmology 2016;10:1059–1077
- Peer-reviewed study
Cataracts
Liu YC, Wilkins M, Kim T, Malyugin B, Mehta JS · The Lancet 2017;390(10094):600–612
- Medical society
Assessment and quality assurance of refractive surgical procedures
Kommission Refraktive Chirurgie (KRC) of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists (BVA)