Intraocular lens implants

[green plastic]

I hear that this is soon going to be used for vision correction purposes. It is believed that it will be more effective at correcting higher prescriptions than lasik would be. Also, I think they are already using this in some foreign countries. Anyone have any insight on this?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by green plastic
I hear that this is soon going to be used for vision correction purposes. It is believed that it will be more effective at correcting higher prescriptions than lasik would be. Also, I think they are already using this in some foreign countries. Anyone have any insight on this?

I'm not a big fan of performing intraocular surgery for correction of refractive error unless there is a good surgical reason, e.g. visually significant cataract.

If the number of intraocular surgeries increase because more people want intraocular lenses for refractive correction, then we're also going to see a rise in post-surgical complications. For instance, the rate of endophthalmitis runs about 1:1000 (perhaps higher in certain hands). This is only one of several serious post-surgical complications that patients are putting themselves at risk for when signing up for intraocular lens implants. I think this is crazy if the patient is already 20/20 with correction before surgery.

 

[TomOD]

Andrew,

How do you feel about Lasik and Ck?

I am scheduled for CustomView Lasik the 10th of Oct. after having resisted refractive sx for the past 7 years. I feel the time is now right. I'm a -4.00 O.U. with 0.640 pachys and have an outstanding surgeon.

Btw and FWIW, my childhood friend is a -15.00 and is not a candidate for Lasik. He is contemplaing implantable CL's in a few months. We'll see.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by TomOD
Andrew,

How do you feel about Lasik and Ck?

I am scheduled for CustomView Lasik the 10th of Oct. after having resisted refractive sx for the past 7 years. I feel the time is now right. I'm a -4.00 O.U. with 0.640 pachys and have an outstanding surgeon.

Btw and FWIW, my childhood friend is a -15.00 and is not a candidate for Lasik. He is contemplaing implantable CL's in a few months. We'll see.

Tom,

I don't have much experience with Ck.

I think Lasik is a good option for many people. If you're a good candidate and you have a good surgeon, then I think you'll do great. However, if given the option, I would prefer LASEK or PRK because there's no corneal flap involved.

 

[green plastic]

Dr.Doan,
Do you think Lasik is a viable option for vision correction for someone with a -10.00 in both eyes? The reason why I'm asking is because I was really close to getting Lasik done, but my optometrist suggested that I wait a few years because they are coming out with newer procedures for vision corrections which might lead to better results for people with higher prescriptions. Do patients who are so nearsighted as -10.00 generally have success with Lasik (provided they have the right corneal thickness and healthy eyes)?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by green plastic
Dr.Doan,
Do you think Lasik is a viable option for vision correction for someone with a -10.00 in both eyes? The reason why I'm asking is because I was really close to getting Lasik done, but my optometrist suggested that I wait a few years because they are coming out with newer procedures for vision corrections which might lead to better results for people with higher prescriptions. Do patients who are so nearsighted as -10.00 generally have success with Lasik (provided they have the right corneal thickness and healthy eyes)?

A person with -10D may have success with LASIK. Consideration should always be given for: 1) prescription for the eyes have remained stable for years, 2) there's minimal corneal astigmatism and aberration, 3) corneal thickness, 4) free of corneal epithelial disease, e.g. no history of herpes, and 5) pupil size.

If you're a high myope and needed a prescription every year, then you're a poor candidate for LASIK.

I've seen patients with -8D to -9D of sphere who were 20/15 after LASIK but had progressive myopia and needed more LASIK because they were 20/40 after 1 year. Needless to say, these patients are not good candidates.

 

[Richard_Hom]

Originally posted by green plastic
I hear that this is soon going to be used for vision correction...purposes.Anyone have any insight on this?

Dear green plastic.

Should intraocular surgery be indicated with an implantable lens, then I would wait for the following features in order to avoid further for non-essential intraocular surgery:

1. Power changes to accommodate future changes in refraction
2. Retention of accommodation past the traditional onset of presbyopia
3. No interference with future laser surgery with whatever frequency or laser energy that would be envisioned
4. Ability to tolerate or obviating future drug delivery vehicles or sites

Fortunately, research and development is focusing on one or more of the above features.

Regards,
Richard_Hom