| Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants (IOLs) are essentially contact lenses
placed inside the eye on top of the natural crystalline lens, or attached to
the iris (colored part of the eye). Because no cornea tissue
is removed (as is done with LASIK), a Phakic IOL can correct extreme levels of nearsightedness and
farsightedness. Another benefit is that it can be removed, and its
effects potentially reversed.
Dougherty Laser Vision offers two types of Phakic IOLs: The Staar Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) and the Verisys (Artisan) Lens. Dr. Dougherty is
currently participating in an FDA clinical study of the Staar ICL as a treatment for farsightedness. The Verisys lens was approved by the FDA in 2004 for treating nearsightedness.
Refractive Lensectomy involves removing the natural lens of the eye with
ultrasonic energy and replacing it with an intraocular
lens (IOL) implant to treat high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness
and astigmatism. This surgery is typically reserved for patients over age 50
whose lens has stiffened and lost the ability to focus. These patients are also
likely to begin to develop early cataracts that can cloud vision. Refractive lensectomy is essentially cataract surgery with an
intraocular lens implant to decrease dependence on glasses and contacts. LASIK
is often used after lensectomy to fine tune the
results obtained with the IOL. Patients who have lensectomy will never need cataract surgery. The lens that is placed in the eye is
typically well tolerated and will outlive the patient.
Several different types of IOLs may be used in this
procedure:
Traditional IOLs treat a wide range of vision
problems from high nearsightedness to high farsightedness. These lenses do not
correct astigmatism or accommodate to restore partial reading vision.
Toric IOLs treat a wide range of vision problems from high
nearsightedness to high farsightedness, but also have the benefit of treating
astigmatism at the same time.
Accomodating and Multifocal IOLs are designed to provide clear near,
intermediate and far vision to help people with presbyopia (i.e., age-related loss of zooming power) become less dependent on bifocal
eyeglasses. Approved by the FDA in 2003, the Crystalens is an accomodating IOL equipped with tiny hinges that allow it to
move back and forth, or "accommodate," in a design intended to
provide seamless clear vision. Approved in 2005, the ReZoom lens is a multifocal lens with five distinct focusing zones intended to provide clear vision at wide
range of distance. |
