glossary

The natural lens is suspended within the eye by elastic fibres around its circumference. These, and the lens capsule are retained during the cataract surgery to allow the lens implant to be supported in the position that the original lens occupied.

Ability to discern the details of an object. A normal average eye an angle of one minute of arc (1/60th degree). Assessment of the eye’s ability to distinguish object details and shape, using the smallest identifiable object that can be seen at a specified distance (usually 20 ft. or 16 in.) and letter height (8.87mm).

Field of vision: The entire area that can be seen when the eye is directed forward, including that which is seen with peripheral vision. The area visible to an eye that is fixating straight ahead.