Refractive Intraocular Lenses

Phakic Intraocular Lens

What if you find you are not a candidate for LASIK or ASA? Do you feel like your prescription is too high? What if you still want to be glasses-free and see the world clearly? Are there any other options? The answer is YES! You may be a candidate for phakic intraocular lenses, another type of refractive surgery.

What are Phakic Intraocular Lenses?

Phakic intraocular lenses (Phakic IOLs) are a special type of lens designed to correct vision in the same way as contact lenses except they are placed permanently inside the eye. The term Phakic IOL means an artificial lens which is implanted inside the eye, leaving the eye's natural lens in place. Phakic IOLs are often used to correct vision in patients unsuitable for LASIK (thin corneas, high refractive errors, etc).

There are many different types of phakic intraocular lens such as the implantable collamer lens (ICL), anterior chamber phakic IOLs, and the phakic refractive lens (PRL). Dr.Mneimneh has found through experience, research, and communication with other renowned international doctors that ICL brings the highest chance for success, and we have chosen to use this method and lens exclusively.

Who are candidates?

Phakic IOLs are indicated for patients not suited for LASIK. The surgeon will consider in the following cases:

  • High amount of nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • High amount of astigmatism
  • Severe dry eyes
  • Patients 21-45 years of age with an anterior chamber depth of 3.00 mm or greater
  • Thin cornea
  • No cataracts
  • Adequate understanding of the benefits and limitations of Phakic IOL
  • Prescription stable (within 0.50 Diopters) for at least 1 year

What are the advantages?

  • Wide range of treatment
  • Minimal side effects
  • Made of biocompatible material which is gentle to the eye
  • Small and foldable for easy insertion
  • Small incision which eliminates need for any sutures
  • Does not alter the tissue of the cornea
  • Can be combined with other corrective options
  • Reversible (lens can be removed or replaced if needed)
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