For some people, vision correction procedures like LASIK may not be advisable, perhaps due to extremely high prescriptions, thin corneas or dry eyes. In the past, being told that you were not a candidate for LASIK simply meant that there were no other options to surgically correct your vision. But now, phakic lens implants such as the Visian ICLTM and the VerisyseTM IOL can be used to permanently correct your vision, even if you’ve been turned down for LASIK or other procedures in the past. The word “phakic” means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye. This is important because your natural lens plays a critical role in helping your eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far. Both the Visian and Verisyse are considered phakic lenses, and although very similar, each has unique properties and attributes. Dr. Horn will recommend the correct lens for you, once a thorough examination of your eyes has been completed.

About the Visian ICL

The Visian ICL (implantable contact lens) is the first lens of its kind to be approved by the FDA for use in the United States. It is based on many years of research and development in adapting the proven technology of the IOL (intraocular lens) used for cataract surgery. The IOL cataract procedure is familiar to ophthalmologists and is performed safely on millions of patients each year. While the technology is similar, the Visian ICL procedure differs from cataract surgery as the natural lens is not removed from the eye. Instead, the Visian ICL is placed in front of the natural lens and the two work together to correct your vision.

About the Verisyse Phakic IOL

The VerisyseTM 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 LASIK.

About the Procedure

  1. Drops will be placed in your eyes in order to reduce the pupil size.
  2. Dr. Horn will use an instrument to comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure.
  3. A local anesthetic is given to numb your eye, so the procedure is virtually painless.
  4. A small incision is made in the cornea so that the phakic lens can be gently inserted.
  5. The Visian ICL is placed behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) and in front of your natural lens. If Dr. Horn is implanting the Verisyse IOL instead, it is centered in front of the pupil (the black part in the center of your eye), and is gently attached to the iris to hold the lens in place.
  6. The small incision is closed with microscopic stitches that dissolve on their own.
  7. A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the time just after the procedure.

Are you a candidate for phakic lens implant surgery?

A series of tests performed in our office will help you decide if the Visian or Verisyse procedure is right for you. In general, the requirements for phakic lens implant surgery are:

  • Your eyes are healthy with no eye disease, iris, pupil or corneal abnormality, or history of retinal detachment.
  • Your nearsightedness can be corrected with lenses between -5.0 to -20.0 diopters.
  • You have 2.5 diopters or less of astigmatism.
  • Your eyes are stable and your nearsightedness has not changed more than 0.50 diopters for 6 months prior to surgery.
  • You are not currently pregnant or nursing.