How Phakic Intraocular Lenses Differ from Crystalens
Today’s advanced vision technology offers two excellent options for patients seeking improved vision.
The Verisyse™ Phakic Intraocular Lens
Verisyse is a Phakic Intraocular Lens (IOL) implanted in the eye, either temporarily or permanently, to improve moderate to severe nearsightedness. The term “phakic” refers to an eye that retains its natural crystalline lens. In nearsightedness, the cornea, or front surface of the eye, bends light rays so that the light focuses correctly on the retina. Therefore, the cornea is too steep, focusing light rays in front of the retina and causing blurry vision.
The Verisyse Phakic IOL is implanted behind the cornea, on the iris, for improved focusing of light and, therefore, improved vision. The cornea remains in place and continues to focus between far and near objects. People who wear thick glasses or contact lenses and do not qualify for LASIK are excellent candidates for the Verisyse Phakic IOL.
Verisyse lenses are made from PMMA, a material used successfully in cataract surgery for over fifty years. The implant procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and takes approximately thirty minutes. The best candidates for the Verisyse Phakic IOL are:
- Over 21
- Have good eye health
- Have stable vision
- Are not pregnant or nursing
Crystalens™ Accommodating Intraocular Lens
Crystalens™ is a multifocal IOL designed specifically for replacement of the eye’s lens after cataract removal. Crystalens is made from a flexible silicone that features a hinged design. This means Crystalens™ can work naturally with the ciliary muscles of the eye so that the eye can “accommodate”, or shift its focus between distant and close objects. With monofocal IOLs, this ability is lost and the patient requires glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at all distances.
Crystalens™ is implanted using nearly identical surgical techniques as for cataract surgery. Success rates are high and millions of people today enjoy improved vision and freedom from corrective eyewear after cataract surgery because of Crystalens.
The best candidates for Crystalens are individuals who are:
- Over age 50 years
- Have cataracts
- Want to restore their full vision range
- Have little to no astigmatism
- Have good eye health
- Have not had previous cataract surgery
Does one of these solutions sound right for you? Schedule a consultation with an experienced eye surgeon to determine whether you are a candidate. In Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey, the experienced ophthalmology team at Susskind & Almallah Eye Associates offers the training, experience and results to ensure your procedure will improve your vision and your life. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/how-phakic-intraocular-lenses-differ-from-crystalens-1017375.html
What are Toric IOLs?
The 20 to 30 percent of cataract patients each year who also suffer from astigmatism have not always had the best options when it came to achieving complete vision improvement after cataract surgery. While their cataracts, and possibly any nearsightedness and farsightedness, could all be corrected with intraocular lens (IOLs), these patients’ astigmatism issues were not improved after the cataract removal and lens exchange surgery. Most of those patients had to remain in prescription glasses or contact lenses. Or they had to undergo another surgical procedure, such as LASIK, Custom LASIK or PRK, or a procedure called a limbal relaxation incision, which also alters the shape of the cornea. Today, the cutting-edge technology of premium Toric IOLs makes treating astigmatism in cataract patients a lot easier, and a lot more successful.
Toric IOLs and Astigmatism
Astigmatism, which is basically blurry vision from an irregularly-shaped cornea, is not a rare condition. In the U.S., it affects one in every six adults. Toric IOLs work to eliminate or reduce astigmatism by correcting the visual imbalance caused by the abnormal shape of the cornea. (A “perfect” cornea is circular. A cornea causing astigmatism is oval-shaped.)
Here are a few more facts about Toric IOLs:
- They are safe and made from non-toxic, long-lasting silicone or acrylic.
- They are flexible and easily inserted, with no history of after-implantation problems.
- They are removable, if for any reason they need to be replaced with another IOL.
- They are considered one of the most ideal solutions for patients with both cataracts and astigmatism.
Two Toric IOLs are manufactured right now, the STAAR® Toric IOL™ and the AcrySof® Toric IOL. The STAAR product has been FDA-approved for a decade now, and the AcrySof IOL has been approved for nearly five years.
Could a Toric IOL be the right choice for you?
The first step in determining if a Toric IOL is the best option for you is to have an experienced and knowledgeable cataract surgeon verify that you have a significant degree of astigmatism, in addition to a cataract that needs removal.
If your eye doctor finds that you do have a moderate to high level of astigmatism, you may want to pursue a Toric IOL placement.
If you live in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area and want to learn more about Toric IOLs and how they might help you re-establish perfect vision after cataract surgery, please contact the Toric IOLs and cataract experts at Hummel Eye Associates, serving Oklahoma patients for 40 years. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/what-are-toric-iols-1017567.html
Specialization of EpiLASIK/SUPERLASIK for Unique Eye Types
Most people do not have flawless eyes. Maybe you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, and have a unique eye that makes you an unsuccessful candidate for traditional LASIK surgery. If you do, there are other options, such as superLASIK and epiLASIK.
How LASIK works
Traditional LASIK surgery utilizes an excimer laser, a cool ultraviolet laser that corrects a misshaped cornea. Your cornea is the front surface of your eye that light passes through while traveling to your retina. The light that passes behind your cornea and forms an image on your retina, which is transmitted by your optic nerve to your brain.
If your cornea is misshaped, the light rays bend at the incorrect angle, focusing behind or in front of your retina instead of on top of it. This creates vision problems such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Or, if your cornea contains small abnormalities in its circular shape, the light rays are received out of focus, which leads to blurred vision.
The excimer laser is used to vaporize miniscule pieces of your corneal tissue, which fixes the shape and surface of your cornea. This allows the rays of light to focus sharply on your retina and you may see clearly.
Role of your corneal flap
Before Dr. Khanna applies the laser beam on to your cornea to reshape it, he must cut a small flap on surface of your cornea and bend back to expose underlying tissue. The laser is then directed on that tissue and the flap is replaced. It heals itself in several days.
Corneal issues
If your corneas are too thin or too flat, traditional LASIK surgery is not advised. If your cornea is too thick, the little flap that must be cut may not be feasible. A flap that is completely detached will not heal correctly, and a flap that is does not fold back far enough will block the laser. Both will result in an unsuccessful procedure.
If your cornea is too flat, removing some of the tissue will just make your cornea flatter and your vision will not be improved.
SuperLASIK
The superLASIK procedure is ideal for anyone who has thin or abnormal corneas and cannot undergo standard LASIK surgery. A safer and more stable procedure, superLASIK blends PRK and LASIK with the use of an epikeratome instead of the microkeratome. This FDA-approved device raises a consistent 50 micron flap, which is even thinner than the flap created with Intralase.
Also, rather than using an alcohol-based solution to loosen the edges of the flap before its edges are lifted back–as in LASEK–a very fine plastic tool called an epithelial separator is used. This instrument is used instead of the alcohol solution because sometimes the alcohol may cause your epithelial cells to die. Because these cells comprise the surface cells on your cornea, your eye must actually grow more of these cells around the edges of the cut flap in order to heal properly.
Because there is no distortion to the design of your cornea, superLASIK provides a safer method of vision correction surgery for most people ages 18 and over. If you suffer from the following conditions, you may not be a candidate for this procedure:
- Keratoconus
- Pellucid marginal degeneration
- Other corneal diseases
- Some immunological disease
- Cataracts (in some cases)
The epithelial separator is in some ways a safer, more effective alternative to traditional LASIK. While vision improvement takes longer with epiLASIK, if you suffer from a thin cornea, this procedure is an ideal way to avoid complications.
If you or a loved one lives in Los Angeles and has a unique cornea, please contact our Orange County Office to schedule your free vision screening. Orange County ophthalmologist Dr. Khanna can help you find the procedure that is right for you. Please call today. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/specialization-of-epilasiksuperlasik-for-unique-eye-types-1017572.html