Phakic Intraocular Lenses (Phakic IOLs) are artificial lens implants that are placed inside the eye while your natural lens remains intact. Although the first type of this technology was FDA approved for the treatment of myopia or nearsightedness in 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 this particular refractive surgery 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 a topical or local anesthetic, your surgeon will create a small incision in your eye and insert 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, you won’t fully realize the visual benefits of the implant for 6 to 8 weeks following the procedure, during which time your eye is healing. In some individuals, another type of vision correction may be chosen to further enhance the vision.
Two common Phakic lenses used at Minnesota Eye Consultants are the Visian ICL and the Verisyse IOL. The advantage of Phakic lenses is that they can correct your vision, yet no natural tissue is removed in any way during the procedure. If for the unlikely reason you need or wish to remove your Phakic lens implant in the future, you have the option to do so.
Visian ICL
The Visian ICL is inserted behind the iris and in front of your natural lens. Similar to cataract surgery, this procedure is typically performed one eye at a time. There is very little discomfort and normally no pain associated with the surgery. You’ll be instructed to use eye drops following and we’ll see you back the following day for a follow-up visit.
The Visian Toric ICL was approved by the FDA in 2018 for moderate to high levels of myopia and astigmatism, offering a solution to yet another group of individuals.
Verisyse™ IOL
When using the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL during surgery, the lens is placed behind your cornea and on top of your iris. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality vision more similar to a normal eye. This procedure is very similar to the Visian ICL in many ways. We again treat one eye at a time and prescribe eye drop medications following the surgery.