Photo of lovely blue eye

Contact Lenses Inside Your Eyes!

Phakic IOLs, implantable contact lenses, are presently being utilized as another way of delivering your best possible vision. Phakic IOLs are powerful eye surgery tools with almost unlimited potential to correct refractive errors (nearsightedness and farsightedness). By implanting a lens inside the eye, the need for glasses or contact lenses is virtually eliminated.

The phakic IOL is unique in that the thin intraocular lens implant is placed in the eye without removing the natural lens of the eye, as is required in cataract surgery. Given that the natural lens of the eye is not removed, the phakic IOL simply enhances rather than replaces the natural lens, allowing the retention of your natural focusing capability (accommodation) for near, midrange and far focusing tasks.


Implantable Lenses (Phakic IOL)

No contact lenses to wash, no glasses to remember, no risks of LASIK or other laser eye surgeries.

Surgically implanted lenses, also called phakic IOL's (intraocular lenses), are a breakthrough new option for people seeking a permanent correction of common vision errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness).

These phakic IOLs work like a contact lens inside the eye, and are placed between the clear front covering of the eye (cornea) and the iris (colored portion of the eye), or sometimes just behind the iris.

Implantable phakic IOL's are similar in size and design to those intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery. However, phakic IOLs are placed inside of eyes that still have their natural lenses, unlike in cataract surgery where an IOL replaces the natural lens that has turned cloudy (a cataract).

The eye's refraction needs to be stable for at least six months before performing phakic IOL implantation surgery. Once implanted, phakic IOL's cannot be felt in the eye, and there is no maintenance required at all. These lenses will last your entire lifetime. If vision changes after implantation, this can be corrected with glasses, removal of the lens entirely, or replacement of the lens with a different prescription.


    The Advantages of Phakic IOLs Over LASIK?

Phakic IOLs provide a highly predictable alteration in vision, unlike other refractive surgeries that rely on the healing process to result in the final refractive state. Phakic IOLs almost always meet or exceed the best vision achievable using eyeglasses or contacts, a result not always achieved with LASIK or other surgeries. Because of the stability of the artificial lens, the results do not regress over time, as is sometimes seen with LASIK and LTK. For several types of lenses, the surgical process is closely related to cataract surgery, so with only minor adjustments eye surgeons are already experienced in the implant procedure. Additionally, this surgery keeps the cornea and lens in its natural state, allowing the process to be reversed if necessary.

One of the most significant benefits of this surgery is the ability to treat with equal efficiency mild to severe nearsightedness and farsightedness, even to a refractive error that requires correction in the 10 to 20 diopter range. This is beyond what is recommended for treatment using LASIK or other laser based surgeries. Thus, eye surgeons are especially considering implantable lenses for their patients when other vision correction procedures aren't a good option, such as in cases of thin corneas or myopia between -3.00 diopters and -20.00. With some patients receiving phakic IOLs, LASIK may be used as a follow-up to refine vision correction.

 

    Risks of Phakic Lens Implantation

As with any surgical procedure, complications are rare but can occur following implantation of phakic IOLs. There is a slightly increased chance of retinal detachment, loss of cells in the thin layer covering the cornea (epithelium), inflammation, infection, and cataracts. Because phakic IOLs represent a relatively new technology, long-term effects and potential risks of lens implantation are unknown.

 

    Coming Soon Near You!

The implantation of artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs) in the eye has been a part of cataract surgery for many years. Phakic IOLs are already available in other countries; it is relatively recent that trials have begun in the United States. FDA trails are currently underway of phakic IOLs for the correction of high myopia and hyperopia in eyes without cataracts. Several of these trials are nearing completion, with some of them closed to further participants, and FDA approval of several types of phakic IOLs is anticipated in the very near future.

Look for phakic IOLs in the U.S. to include foldable styles that can be implanted through tiny incisions, which least disturbs the eye and encourages the best possible refractive outcome. Research also continues on multifocal phakic IOLs that potentially could correct presbyopia (defects in the ability to simultaneously focus near, middle, and distant ranges) similar to the functionality of multifocal eyeglasses and contact lenses.

What The FDA-Approved Phakic IOL Can Offer You Dramatic Improvement In Your Way of Living The Phakic IOL procedure is designed to dramatically improve your ability to naturally see the world with your own eyes - freeing you from the constant need for contacts or glasses. The Peace Of Mind You Need Gently inserted next to your natural lens, the entire Phakic IOL procedures requires only a tiny, micro-opening for insertion. Total Invisibility To You and Others Working invisibly, the Phakic IOL cannot be seen by you or anyone else. Your only reminder of the procedure will be the vision youll experience every day. Excellence For A Wide Range Of Eyesight Problems Anyone seeking clear vision may be a candidate for the Phakic IOL, including patients with extreme or special vision correction needs. Some Questions And We Have Answers Exactly Where Is Phakic IOL Placed In The Eye? The soft lens is placed in front of your eye's own natural lens. The lens will remain in position for as long as you desire. What Is Phakic IOL's Track Record? In order to ensure its safety, durability and long-term vision performance, the Phakic IOL was subjected to an exhaustive amount of research, development and FDA testing. In fact, during its FDA Clinical Trials, the Phakic IOL recorded an extraordinarily high patient satisfaction level of more than 99%. Now FDA-approved, the Phakic IOL is being used by more than 50,000 patients worldwide. Indeed, some trends even indicate that the Phakic IOL may be on its way to replacing LASIK. What Is Phakic IOL Made Of? The lens is made of Collamer, one of the most advanced internal lens materials in the world. It is both invisible and non-irritating. What Is Involved In The Phakic IOL Procedure? The procedure typically takes 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis with just numbing drops, making it quick, easy, and painless. Can They Dry Out Or Get Dirty Like A Contact Lens? The lens will never dry out since it is naturally and internally lubricated. Patients who suffer with dry eyes from traditional contact lenses particularly enjoy the Phakic IOL since this lens cannot be felt and there is no dry eye experience with the Phakic IOL. The Phakic IOL will never get dirty like traditional contacts. How Long Does Phakic IOL Stay In My Eye? The lens is designed to work flawlessly and unnoticed for the rest of your life. Can Phakic IOL Be Seen By The Naked Eye? The lens is invisible and cannot be seen by you or others. Can Phakic IOL Be Felt once it is in place? The lens cannot be felt.