Eye Implant 'Drastically Cuts Glasses Use'

New technology said to reduce patients' need for glasses by up to 90% could prove revolutionary for those who suffer from bad eyesight.

A plastic lens implant called Symfony is surgically inserted into the eye to sharpen focus and for the first time will help improve longsightedness.

The procedure involves cutting out the eye's natural lens with a 3mm incision.

The replacement, which extends the range of vision, is implanted via the same cuts.

Surgeon Bobby Qureshi claims those who have already had the operation felt the benefits the following day.

He told Sky News: "It gives fantastic distance vision, very good - if not perfect - middle vision and between 80 and 90% of people don't need glasses for reading.

"But a small proportion of people may need them for small print," he added.

Although the operation lasts just 15 minutes and is said to be painless, it is an expensive treatment which costs around £4,000 per eye.

Patient Justin Greaves, who was suffering from the onset of cataracts, hopes that the Symfony will mean he doesn't have to continue using multiple pairs of glasses for driving, reading and computer use.

The day after receiving the implant he said: "On an hour by hour basis I can see a dramatic improvement in terms of the clarity of vision.

"It's too early to tell about the effect of the lens but I can already see it's better."