| Severe nearsightedness
and farsightedness can also be corrected with the implant of an additional
synthetic lens into the eye, which thereby corrects the existing refractive
error.
Phakic IOLs are typically used when the procedures of corneal surgery
cannot be performed or are at their limit, for example because the cornea
is too thin.
Why synthetic
lenses?
Synthetic lenses, which are implanted into the eye, are used for the
correction of severe to extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness. Today,
they are mainly used for the correction of severe nearsightedness exceeding
approximately –10 diopter. Combined with the LASIK procedure,
even more severe refractive errors and a potentially pre-existing astigmatism
can be corrected.
Synthetic lenses either are implanted into the eye in addition to the
eye’s natural lens (ICL/Artisan), or synthetic lenses replace
the eye’s natural lenses (CLE). In Germany, the ICL has been used
for 5 years and the Artisan lens for 10 years. Synthetic lenses have
been shown to be a sensible complement to the other procedures of refractive
surgery.
The goal of synthetic lenses is to provide freedom from the need for
eyeglasses or contact lenses.
How do phakic intraocular
lenses work?
Synthetic lenses are either implanted into the eye in addition to the
eye’s natural lens, or the eye’s natural lens is replaced with a synthetic lens. In both cases, a small incision (approximately
3 – 5 mm) is placed at the periphery of the cornea.
The new Veriflex pIOL is flexible and therefore foldable, which reduces the incision needed to 3.2 mm.
In the first case, the synthetic lens is placed into the anterior eye
chamber through the incision, and it is secured into place on the iris
or between the posterior surface of the cornea and iris with two small
flexible hooks. For lens exchanges, first the eye’s natural lens
is removed by ultrasound, and it is then replaced with a synthetic lens
as described above.
 Phakic lenses can be placed either in the anterior chamber of the eye between cornea and iris or in the posterior chamber behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. We have envoloped an flash animation demonstrating both procedures for you.
Simulate your lens
implantation here!
Phakic intraocular lens implants are
known for the high potential of exact predictability, the reproducibility
of the surgical success and the reversibility of the procedure. One
of the factors contributing to the safety of this procedure is the fact
that the intraocular anatomy or physiology of the eye is not changed.
The center of the cornea is not touched prior to surgery and nothing
about the anatomy of the eye is changed. |