Phakic IOL

Good vision, not obvious

Good vision is a very common thing for some of us. Most people, however, only see clearly with the aid of glasses or contact lenses; they are either near-sighted or far-sighted.Near-sighted people see close objects sharper than distant objects. Far-sighted people have the opposite problem: they see distant objects sharper than close objects.

Good vision after all?

In order to have good vision, near-sighted people need a minus correction, while far-sighted people need a plus correction, some people may need an additional cylindrical correction. This can be achieved by means of:

¨ Glasses

¨ Contact lenses

¨ Refractive surgery

For an increasing number of people, though, neither contact lenses nor glasses provide an acceptable solution and they may not be suitable for laser refractive surgery. For them, Phakic IOL could be the solution.

Is the Phakic lens something new?

Already since 1986, thousands of people all over the world enjoy good vision with the Phakic implantable lens.

The Phakic lens is an 'extra 'lens in the eye, that remains permanently in place.

What is not possible?

¨ It is not possible to correct the need for reading glasses

¨ It is not always possible to become totally independent of glasses or contact lenses

The Phakic lens

The Phakic lens is smaller than a contact lens and, once in the eye, it is hardly visible. During a short treatment, the Phakic lens is placed in the eye, just in front of the iris (the coloured part of the eye). By means of two tiny clips, the lens is fixed onto the iris. The clips make sure that the lens remains perfectly in place.

Available powers

¨ From -3 to -24 diopters (for near-sighted people)

¨ From +1 to +12 dioprers (for far-sighted)

The eye surgeon's preliminary examination will indicate whether you are a candidate for Phakic lenses or not.

The treatment

Often, the treatment is performed in an outpatient's setting, which makes it possible for you to return home immediately afterwards. Most people have normal vision again within a few days.

Advantages

The Phakic lens: ¨ Is safe - long time clinical experience

¨ Is safe - long time clinical experience

¨ Has a predictable outcome

¨ Is exchangeable: the lens can be replaced or removed, if necessary

¨ Gives optimal vision

¨ Provides a permanent solution

¨ Requires no maintenance

¨ Is placed in a quick procedure

¨ Gives almost immediately result: in most cases, you will be able to go about your daily life again in a couple of days.

¨ Is available for moderate as well as high refractive corrections.

No more steamed up glasses when cooking.

No need to worry about your glasses when participating in sports

No need to bother with putting in contact lenses

No longer the need for expensive contact lens solutions.

Is the Phakic lens something for you?

In order to be a candidate for treatment, you will have to:

¨ Be between 18 and 60 years old

¨ Be in general good health

¨ Have no eye disease and

¨ Have a stable refraction, which did not change for at least one year.