Phakic IOL

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Phakic intraocular lenses are artificial lens implants that are placed inside the eye while the patient’s natural lens remains intact. Although the first type of this technology was only FDA approved for the treatment of myopia or nearsightedness on September 4th, 2004, the physicians and surgeons at Minnesota Eye Consultants have been implanting these lenses for the treatment of high degrees of nearsightedness and farsightedness since 1998 as part of the multi-center, national research studies.

Patients who would benefit from a phakic intraocular lens implant are those who have a strong glasses prescription, thin corneas or prefer a non-laser vision correction. The surgical technique is similar to that used in cataract surgery, the major difference being that the natural lens is not removed and remains functional. Using topical or local anesthetic, the surgeon creates a small incision in the eye and inserts the lens using specialized instruments. The exact technique and placement of the implant will differ depending on the type of lens implant chosen.

While an increase in vision may be noticed soon after the procedure, the patient will not fully realize the visual benefits of the implant for 6 to 8 weeks following the procedure, during which time the eye is healing. In some individuals another type of vision correction may be chosen to further enhance the patient’s vision.

Verisyse™ Phakic IOL

The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is used to treat moderate to severe myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness. With over 18 years of use and 150,000 procedures performed worldwide, results prove that the Verisyse™ design is safe and effective for very nearsighted people who are tired of thick glasses and are not candidates for Custom LASIK.

How Verisyse™ works

The procedure involves placing the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL behind your cornea and on top of your iris. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high-definition vision like a normal eye. Although the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired.

The word "phakic" means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye. This is important because your natural lens plays an important role in helping your eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far.

About the Verisyse™ procedure

Implanting the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Usually, one eye is treated at a time.

1. Drops will be placed in your eyes in order to reduce the pupil size.
2. For better access to your eye, your doctor will use an instrument to comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure.
3. A local anesthetic is given to numb the eye, so the procedure is virtually painless.
4. A small incision is made in the cornea for the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL to be placed in the space between the iris and the cornea.
5. The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is centered in front of the pupil (the black part in the center of your eye), and is gently attached to the iris (the colored part of your eye) to hold the lens in place.
6. The small incision is closed with microscopic stitches that dissolve over time.
7. A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the time just after the procedure.

How Verisyse™ looks in your eye

Diagram of an eye with the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL.

Be sure to discuss this procedure with your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you.

To learn the answers to frequently asked questions about the Verisyse™ phakic IOL, click here.