THE SURGERY
This is also an outpatient procedure. In contrast to laser eye surgery, only one eye is treated at a time. There is generally a period of about one week between the two procedures.
In preparation for the surgery, you will receive an injection or eye drops as a local anesthetic of the eye.
Once the eye is fully anesthetized, the doctor can begin with the artificial lens implantation. The lens is advanced into the ocular chamber through a small incision in the cornea and stabilized. This ensures that the lens will remain at the precise correct location. If necessary, the incision is sutured and the procedure is finished. CARE Vision generally uses Artisan or Artiflex lenses, depending on the patient's suitability and requirements. These are small, ultra-thin „contact lenses“ that are not worn on the eye but rather in the eye. The lenses are fixated in the anterior chamber of the eye in front of the iris, which is where they typically stay forever. Should there nevertheless ever be a reason that necessitates the removal of the lens, this is absolutely no problem in most cases.
AFTER THE SURGERY
After the surgery, which only takes about a half an hour, the eye is covered with a patch and, after a final exam of your eyes and receiving instructions about what you should do in the next few days, you can go home. After the surgery, which only takes about a half an hour, the eye is covered with a patch and, after a final exam of your eyes and receiving instructions about what you should do in the next few days, you can go home. At this point you should be able to see with the treated eye, although not very well. Your vision will continue to improve over the following weeks. In order to guarantee an optimal healing process and prevent complications, you must take precautionary measures for some time after surgery, which will be explained to you by your doctor. During the first week after surgery you must seep with an eye patch over your eye to prevent you from rubbing your eyes while you sleep or from pressing a pillow or blanket onto your eye. You will receive exact instructions regarding what you must do and what you must avoid for a certain period of time after surgery.
FAQ about Phakic lenses
What is a phakic intraocular lens?
The phakic intraocular lens frees you from glasses and contact lenses. This lens implantation is a small surgery that lasts about 10 minutes per eye, and is placed to the natural lens in the posterior chamber of the eye. The artificial lens is not noticeable and not visible. It is custom-made for each patient to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Multiple vision problems can be correct at the same time with this procedure.
Where in the eye is the lens used?
The phakic intraocular lens is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye – in front of the natural eye lens to correct myopia, farsightedness or astigmatism.
For whom is the phakic lens treatment?
Phakic lenses are for patients who are not suitable for eye laser correction, e.g. because their refractive error is very high and is outside of the laser able range.
There should be enough room in the anterior segment for the implant. Patients with a very low narrow chamber angle or a very low anterior chamber depth are not suitable for this procedure. To determine whether or not that you are the right candidate for this procedure need to be examined individually during a preliminary examination.
In addition, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not do this surgery method during this period due to the hormonal changes.
Is this procedure reversible?
Yes, because the natural texture of the eye is not changed by the phakic lens. The natural lens is preserved, meaning that there is a harmonious interaction between the artificial lens and the natural structure of the eye.