nIf you are nearsighted or farsighted implantable lenses are a reversible alternative to laser surgery. A Lens implant is an additional lens added into the eye. It is not a replacement of the body's own lens so patients do not lose the ability to focus on objects at close distances (accommodation).
Phakic lens implantation is an intraocular procedure that has been used since 1996. Marsden Eye Laser Clinic suggests phakic implants only when other less invasive procedures such as laser are not suitable.
About the lens implant: The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL has over 18 years of use and 150,000 procedures performed worldwide. Results prove that the Verisyse™ design is safe and effective for very nearsighted people who are tired of thick glasses and are not candidates for laser vision correction surgery.
How Verisyse™ works:The procedure involves placing the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL behind your cornea and in front of your pupil. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high-definition vision like a normal eye. Although the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired. The word "phakic" means that your natural crystalline lens remains in the eye. This is important because your natural lens plays an important role in helping your eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far (accommodation).
About the Verisyse™ procedure:Implanting the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Usually, one eye is treated at a time.
- A local anaesthetic is given to numb the eye so the procedure is virtually painless.
- Drops will be placed in your eyes in order to reduce the pupil size.
- A speculum will be placed between your eyelids to open your eye and prevent blinking.
- A small incision is made in the cornea for the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL to be placed in the space between the pupil and the cornea.
- The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is centered in front of the pupil (the black part in the center of your eye), and is gently attached to the iris (the coloured part of your eye) to hold the lens in place.
- The small incision is closed with microscopic stitches that dissolve over time.
- A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the time after the procedure.
Click to learn more about laser vision correction