Lens Implant Procedures

If you don’t want to bother with eyeglasses or manual insertion of contact lenses, corrective artificial lens implant is an alternative that you can consider (Credit: Mikelao)

If you don’t want to bother with eyeglasses or manual insertion of contact lenses, corrective artificial lens implant is an alternative that you can consider.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments are semicircular pieces of plastic that are implanted within the cornea to treat mild forms of myopia. These implant procedures are sometimes used for other conditions affecting the cornea.

The inserts are designed to change the shape of the cornea by adjusting the focusing power of the eyes so that light is focused onto the retina. A small incision is made near the upper edge of the cornea, in which the ring segments are inserted. The incision is closed with two small sutures that are usually removed two to four weeks after surgery.

While tissue removed during laser eye surgeries cannot be replaced, the intrastromal corneal ring segments are removable.

Phakic Intraocular Lenses (phakic IOLS) are new devices made of plastic or silicone for correcting nearsightedness. These thin lenses are implanted into the eye to help reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.

A small incision is made in the front of the eye, in which the phakic lens is inserted. Phakic refers to the lens being implanted into the eye without removing the eye’s natural lens. Since phakic IOLS involve entering the eye, the risk of complications is higher.

Phakic lens are intended to be permanent. Though, if a cataract develops, the natural and phakic lenses would have to be removed and replaced with artificial lenses.