LASIK is a secure and precise method of achieving freedom from eyeglasses or contacts. There tend to be however a subset of patients who are not fit for LASIK surgery. Generally, a lot of these patients are either too myopic (shortsighted) and are ineligible for the solution possible with LASIK, have corneas that are too thin, or have keratoconus (atypically shaped corneas). Patients’ eyesight can sometimes get worse if treated with Laser in these kinds of circumstances, but thorough pre-operative examination identifies these cases.
In circumstances where the patient has an excessive level of myopia (shortsightedness) but still have a typical corneal shape, the most appropriate solution is the implantation of a Cachet lens, or a Phakic IOL (Intra-ocular Lens). This approach takes only 10 minutes long, is pain free and the patient can see clearly the following day. A Phakic IOL procedure comes with the capability to repair even the most extreme myopia perfectly. This lens’ safety and efficacy has been followed up on for over 10 years, exhibiting its superb long-term stability and safety. The lens cannot correct for astigmatism, as a result some people have a ‘bioptics’ procedure in which fine-tuning of the vision is done with the help of a tiny laser touch-up.
In the event the individual’s cornea is unnatural or the patient has extensive astigmatism, the most suitable choice of procedure is the implantation of an ICL (Intra-ocular Contact Lens). An ICL can help treat astigmatism as well as either myopia (shortsighted) or hyperopia (longsighted). A modern study investigated visual quality in high myopia (over -8 diopters) and determined it was superior in patients who had an ICL implantation in contrast to Laser eye surgery.
After being given an Intra-ocular Contact Lens, over 95% of patients are capable of seeing at the vision standard necessary for driving or even better, and simple and easy, fast and painless enhancement procedures are available for many patients who don’t initially meet this standard. There tends to be around a 1.7% chance of a cataract forming, which in these scenarios is a quick fix regardless by carrying out a cataract extraction / Intra-ocular Lens Implantation. This cataract / lens implantation is usually the only viable alternative to an ICL regardless.
This fantastic cutting edge technology of Phakic IOL Implantation is a thrilling development, offering liberty from eyeglasses and contact lenses in men and women who would likely never be able to acquire this otherwise, in a safe, fast and pain-free procedure with visual recovery within a day.
Dr. James Genge is a trusted laser eye surgeon and ophthalmologist from Sydney Australia. Want to learn more about laser eye surgery? Visit his website at Laser Eye Surgery Sydney.