AcuFocus Corneal Inlay (AcuFocus ACI 7000)
If you are over the age of 40, you’ve probably noticed that near objects are beginning to appear out of focus. You may be experiencing a condition called presbyopia.
With presbyopia, the natural lens of the eye has lost its flexibility. The lens is too and doesn't readily change its focus from distance to near. As a result, near objects are blurry.
Until recently, reading glasses were the primary option for people with presbyopia. However, many people prefer not to wear reading glasses because they can be inconvenient to use, inaccessible when needed the most, or unappealing for cosmetic reasons.
Recently a clinical study was initiated to prove the safety and effectiveness of the AcuFocus implant, a micro-thin inlay designed to improve near vision, and eliminate the inconvenience of reading glasses.
How does the AcuFocus Corneal Inlay work?
Smaller than a contact lens, the AcuFocus corneal inlay looks like a black ring and has a tiny aperture or hole in the center. This hole helps improve vision in two ways: It creates a pinhole effect so near objects appear more clearly and it focuses the light.
Typical course of surgery and postoperative recovery
The AcuFocus corneal inlay is implanted during an out-patient procedure under local anaesthesia with eye drops. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.
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The procedure in detail:
(1) First, a corneal flap is cut using either a mechanical microkeratome or a femtosecond laser.
(2) The tiny implant is placed in the cornea and centered over the pupil.
(3) The corneal flap is folded back, keeping the implant securely in place without the use of sutures.
Following the AcuFocus procedure, you will notice an improvement in near vision, which should continue over the next six to 12 months.
Unlike other presbyopic treatments, the AcuFocus corneal inlay can be removed.
Who is a candidate?
If you are between 45 and 55 years of age, have perfect distant vision (without glasses or contact lenses) and are interested in surgical presbyopia correction, the AcuFocus Corneal Inlay may be for you.
Professor Michael Knorz, MD of the FreeVis LASIK Center Mannheim is a participant in the international clinical AcuFocus study. Click here to contact us.