PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange (IOL)
Piggyback Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation is a sophisticated vision correction technique designed for patients who have previously undergone cataract or lens replacement surgery but still experience residual refractive errors. This advanced procedure involves placing a secondary lens alongside the existing intraocular lens to fine-tune vision and reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
At Precision Vision London, located at Harley Street, we offer piggyback IOL surgery as a personalised solution for enhanced visual clarity. Led by renowned ophthalmic surgeon Dr. CT Pillai, our clinic combines decades of experience with cutting-edge innovation to provide precise, tailored care.
If you’re seeking sharper vision after cataract surgery or lens replacement, trust our expertise in advanced intraocular procedures. Rediscover the clarity you deserve with piggyback IOL surgery.
Who Can Benefit from Piggyback IOLs?
Piggyback intraocular lenses are ideal for:
- Patients with monofocal lenses seeking improved near or intermediate vision after cataract surgery.
- Individuals with corneal abnormalities or unique eye anatomy.
- Those requiring correction for complex or high prescriptions, or who have experienced unexpected vision outcomes after their initial surgery.
Piggyback Surgery Prices starting from just £160.42 per eye/month.
with a £1250 deposit for 24 months
Types of Piggyback Lenses
Piggyback intraocular lenses (IOLs) come in various designs, each tailored to address specific visual challenges after cataract or lens replacement surgery. At Precision Vision London, we carefully assess your unique needs to recommend the most suitable lens type for optimal results.
Spherical Lenses
These lenses correct residual refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). They are ideal for patients whose vision remains slightly blurred despite having a primary IOL in place.
Toric Lenses
Designed to correct astigmatism, toric piggyback lenses address irregularities in the corneal shape, improving visual sharpness and reducing the need for prescription glasses.
Multifocal Lenses
These lenses offer enhanced depth of focus, allowing patients to see clearly at multiple distances near, intermediate, and far without relying heavily on reading glasses or bifocals.
Customised Lenses
For complex vision cases, customised piggyback lenses are designed based on detailed biometric measurements. These offer highly personalised correction for patients with unique eye anatomy or high refractive needs.
At Precision Vision London, every lens is selected based on thorough diagnostics, lifestyle needs, and the goal of achieving visual independence. If you’ve had previous lens surgery but still rely on glasses, a piggyback IOL might be your solution.
After years of struggling with reading glasses following my cataract surgery, the piggyback lens procedure with Dr. Pillai gave me back clear vision at all distances. The procedure was quick, painless, and the results were immediate.
Sarah T.
As someone with unusual corneal measurements, I was told I might never achieve perfect vision after my initial lens implant. Dr. Pillai recommended the piggyback lens approach, and I’m now enjoying 20/20 vision without glasses for the first time in decades.
Michael R.
Piggyback Intraocular Lens Exchange Surgical Procedure
Piggyback IOL implantation is a minimally invasive, highly specialised procedure designed to refine vision after cataract or lens replacement surgery. At Precision Vision London, every step is guided by precision diagnostics and the expertise of our lead surgeon, Dr. C T Pillai.
Pre-Operative Assessment
Your journey begins with an in-depth eye examination using advanced imaging technology. This includes precise measurements of your existing intraocular lens (IOL), corneal curvature, and overall eye health to determine the ideal type and power of the piggyback lens.
The Implantation Process
The surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia and takes around 15–30 minutes. A small, self-sealing incision is made, and the supplementary piggyback lens is gently placed in the ciliary sulcus—just in front of the existing IOL. The lens is carefully aligned for optimal stability and visual correction.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients return home the same day. Visual improvement is often noticed within a few days, with full stabilisation over a few weeks. Our dedicated aftercare includes regular follow-ups to monitor healing and ensure the best possible outcome.
Our approach revolves around prioritising your optimal well-being.
Prior to your consultation
Your first point of contact will be with Precision Vision’s highly trained and knowledgeable patient coordinators.
Treatment
On the day of your treatment, our clinical team will guide you through the process and address any concerns or questions you may have.
Consultation
At Precision Vision, we believe that it is essential to be selective to ensure that every patient has the best treatment to suit their visual and lifestyle needs which is why determining suitability is incredibly important.
Aftercare
Your aftercare begins immediately after treatment when you are taken to the recovery room to relax and, when you are ready to leave, our specialist nurse will examine you before you go home.
Why choose Precision Vision for PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange
Precision Vision is proud to offer PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange, a pioneering solution meticulously customised to each individual's unique needs. As a premier clinic in the UK, we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled results through innovative techniques. Our commitment to excellence ensures that patients receive the most advanced care available, setting new standards in precision eye care and enhancing vision with utmost precision and safety.
With a world-class non-laser surgical team, Precision Vision stands as a beacon of excellence in eye care. As a surgeon-led clinic, Precision Vision operates independently, free from manufacturer affiliations, enabling our surgeons to select the most optimal lenses with meticulous precision for PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange procedures.
At Precision Vision, our commitment to unparalleled patient care extends to every aspect of our services, including PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange. From initial consultations to post-operative care, our state-of-the-art clinic on Harley Street ensures a seamless journey for our patients. Additionally, our extensive network of independent optometrists across the country offers convenient check-up options closer to home, guaranteeing exceptional aftercare tailored to each individual's needs following PiggyBack Intraocular Lens Exchange procedures.
Piggyback Surgery Prices starting from just £160.42 per eye/month.
with a £1250 deposit for 24 months
Lenses
At Precision Vision, we understand that NHS providers typically offer basic Monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implants, which only correct distant vision. However, we pride ourselves on delivering truly bespoke treatments tailored to your specific needs. During your consultation, following a comprehensive examination, we determine the most suitable type of lens based on your lifestyle and visual requirements.
We exclusively use revolutionary Trifocal Piggyback IOLs, which correct vision across all distances—distant, near, and intermediate, allowing our patients to enjoy freedom from glasses post-treatment. Unlike varifocal glasses or Multifocal contact lenses, adapting to Trifocal Piggyback lenses is natural and straightforward.
These advanced lenses provide superior vision quality by efficiently transmitting light through the implant, resulting in improved intermediate vision with minimal glare and halos, especially at night.
At Precision Vision London, we have no ties to any specific lens manufacturers, giving us the flexibility to offer the widest selection of lenses and cater to a broad range of prescriptions. Our reputation is built on our ability to treat patients who may have been deemed unsuitable by other clinics. Trust us for exceptional vision care tailored to your unique needs.
We provide two distinct types of IOLs for Piggyback lens treatment, each offering clear vision at different distances:
1. Monofocal: Available in both spherical and toric designs (for correcting astigmatism), this single-focus intraocular lens (IOL) ensures clear-distance vision. However, glasses are still required for reading and computer work.
2. Piggyback Trifocal: Available in spherical and toric designs, this innovative lens features a layered concentric circular design. It addresses various prescription issues with each layer, resulting in simultaneous correction of near, distance, and intermediate vision. This advanced lens is ideal for patients who have undergone cataract surgery through the NHS and wish to eliminate their reliance on varifocal or reading glasses, providing significant freedom from glasses.
Technology
The VERION Image Guided System
This is used to capture a digital reference image of the eye during the initial assessment which is used to create a surgical plan. This equipment is also used throughout the treatment allowing the surgeon to see all incisions and alignments in real time, improving accuracy and minimising errors especially whilst correcting astigmatism.
The Centurion Vision System
Precision Vision is the first clinic in the UK to possess this equipment and it is the newest phacoemulsification system available (this breaks up and removes the natural lens). It allows for smaller incisions and is able to optimise every phase of the lens removal. The device also controls the intra-ocular pressure throughout the treatment and enhances the control of the surgeon, consequently improving the patient’s outcome and accelerating the recovery process.
The Lux-OR Ophthalmic Microscope
The Lux-OR LX3 with Q-VUE Ophthalmic Microscope is designed to provide superior visualisation throughout the surgical procedure, this microscope is able to expand the visual field with a highly stable, 6x greater red reflex zone, providing excellent visual detail with superior visualisation of the retina.
Dr. CT Pillai MD DO, FRCS (Edin), FRCOpth (UK)
Meet Dr. CT Pillai, a distinguished ophthalmologist with MD, DO, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth (UK) credentials. As the Founder and Medical Director of Precision Vision, a leading Harley Street laser eye surgery clinic, Dr. CT Pillai brings unparalleled expertise to deliver precision and excellence in vision care.
Life-Changing Piggyback Intraocular Lens Surgery in Harley Street, London
At Precision Vision London, we offer advanced piggyback intraocular lens (IOL) implantation—a refined solution for patients seeking clearer vision after cataract or lens replacement surgery. As a trusted, independent clinic, we specialise in secondary lens procedures that are precisely tailored to correct residual refractive errors—helping patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses.
Experience world-class IOL enhancement surgery in the heart of London, performed by leading ophthalmologists using state-of-the-art technology. Our expert team, led by Dr. CT Pillai – a globally recognised surgeon with over 30 years of experience and 50,000+ successful procedures—is committed to delivering sharp, comfortable vision with exceptional care.
✅ Precision correction after cataract or lens surgery
✅ Expert surgeon-led treatment plans
✅ Personalised diagnostics and follow-up care
Call us today on 020 3884 6805 and discover how piggyback IOL surgery can transform your vision and quality of life
Piggyback Intraocular Lens Exchange FAQs
This treatment is used as an additional lens implant for patients with:
- Complex prescriptions
- Corneal abnormalities
- Patients who have had cataract surgery with monofocals on the NHS (or elsewhere) and want to get rid of reading and/or distance glasses or varifocal Glasses .
No pain is felt as anaesthetic drops are used to numb the eye. However some discomfort or pressure can be felt during the procedure.
The lens implant is inside the eye where there are no nerves or sensation, so it cannot be felt. It will not feel like a contact lens and you will be completely unaware that it is there, apart from experiencing greatly improved vision.
A Trifocal implant has more than one point of focus, enabling clear distance, intermediate and near vision. It has revolutionised the results of treatment and allows for patients to be glasses free.
A piggyback IOL placed in front of the existing intraocular lens implant, in the posterior sulcus, which is located behind the iris (coloured part of the eye).
Generally you will need 3-5 days off work (for most office jobs). Two for the treatment and one or two days afterwards to rest. Patients are able to perform most day to day tasks one day after surgery without any difficulty. Your working environment will also be taken into consideration and our surgeon will advise on what precautions should be taken at your consultation.
Monofocal implants focus light to only one point, meaning they correct distance vision only and glasses will be needed for near vision. This type of lens is usually used for people with corneal abnormalities as it gives them the best possible quality of vision.