Lens Implant Options

New York City, Manhattan, Long Island, NY

Not all people are suitable candidates for laser vision correction. The following conditions prevent approximately 30% of the population from undergoing this procedure:

• Thin corneas
• Irregularly shaped corneas
• Significant dry eye condition
• Severe myopia or hyperopia that exceeds the laser vision correction range
• Presbyopia

If you suffer from one of these conditions, you may be a better candidate for implant vision correction.

What is Implant Vision Correction?

Implant vision correction treats vision disorders by installing a synthetic lens inside your eye. The procedure employs similar techniques to those used in cataract surgery. The technology used has been highly successful on tens of millions of eyes over the past 25 years. In certain situations, implant vision correction can even be combined with laser vision correction to provide more precise results.

Kelly Vision Center offers two types of lens implant options:

• Phakic implants
• Non-phakic implants (clear lens extraction)

In phakic implant procedures, your eye’s natural lens is not removed whereas non-phakic procedures involve the removal of your eye’s natural lens. The non-phakic lens essentially takes the place of your natural lens. New York ophthalmologist Dr. James Kelly will recommend the appropriate type of implant based on your age and the condition for which you require treatment.

Phakic Implants

Ideal candidates for phakic implants have high levels of myopia, generally over 10 diopters and as much as 20 diopters. Patients with more moderate levels of myopia may also benefit from this procedure if their corneas are either too thin or too irregularly shaped to undergo LASIK.

Phakic implants can either be placed in front of the iris (the colored part of your eye) or behind the iris. Verisyse lenses are used when placement is in front of the iris; Visian lenses are used when placement is behind the iris. You will need to discontinue wearing your contact lenses about one week before your initial consultation so that Dr. Kelly can obtain the correct measurements to accurately determine which type of lens will be of the greatest benefit to you.

Visian implants have only been available for the past few years. Ideal candidates for Visian lens implants:

• Are between the ages of 20 and 50
• Have high levels of myopia and healthy eyes

A tiny incision is made, and the lens is inserted behind your iris in a structure called the ciliary sulcus. No stitches are needed. The lens can rarely be felt, and it will not need any maintenance. Your Visian lens implant will not be noticeable to others.

Verisyse implants have been used for more than 25 years on over 150,000 eyes. As with Visian lenses, ideal candidates:

• Are between the ages of 20 and 50
• Have high levels of myopia with healthy eyes

More than 50% of patients who get Verisyse implants see better than they ever did with glasses or contacts before the surgery. Please note that the procedure is reversible if necessary.

The risk of complications is very minimal with this procedure. On rare occasions, patients may experience some night glare. Other rare complications include:

• Cataract development
• Inflammation
• Infection

For highly myopic patients, Verisyse implants compare favorably to LASIK. The majority of patients with severe refractive errors who had LASIK performed on one eye and a Verisyse implant installed in the other eye find they see better with the Verisyse eye.

Phakic implant procedures can be completed within 20 minutes, and they are performed on an out-patient basis. You will be awake during the procedure, but local anesthetic will prevent you from feeling any discomfort.

If your eye changes after implantation, your current phakic lens can be removed and replaced by a lens of a different power. However, some people prefer to simply wear glasses or contact lenses with a mild prescription.

Non-phakic Implants/Clear Lens Extraction

Ideal candidates for non-phakic implants generally have high levels of hyperopia (over 5 diopters) or presbyopia. The non-phakic implant procedure is similar to the phakic implant procedure in terms of technology, results, safety, and recovery. The main difference between the two procedures is that in non-phakic implant procedures, your eye’s natural lens is removed before the implant is placed in your eye. Also, non-phakic implants are placed within the lens capsule instead of in structures farther in front of the eye.

The most advanced non-phakic IOL options are the ReSTOR® lens and Crystalens®. These lenses enable you to correct problems with both near and distance vision. Another benefit of the ReSTOR IOL is that you will not be at risk of developing cataracts in the future.

If you have been told that you are not a candidate for LASIK, please contact our New York ophthalmologists  today to find out if implant vision correction may be an ideal option for you.