Ever Heard About Implantable Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are comfortable alternatives to eyeglasses. They are used to correct vision problems, but these lenses must be removed daily for cleaning and replaced periodically. LASIK surgery is a permanent method to correct vision, but many people prefer contact lenses due to the cost factor.
Recent technological developments have made it possible to eliminate the need to remove and replace contact lenses. This is achieved through phakic intraocular lenses and implantable contact lenses.
Implantable Contact Lenses
These lenses are implanted in the eyes through a surgical procedure. They are ideal for people with myopia who seek a permanent solution to correct vision problems. The lenses can be implanted in locations such as:
- Between the cornea and iris
- Behind the iris
Both procedures have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
These lenses resemble contact lenses but have some noticeable differences. They are an alternative to laser eye surgery. Unlike contact lenses, one cannot feel their presence in the eyes, and there is no need for regular maintenance. They also yield better results compared to LASIK.
The big difference between the two lenses is how light enters the eyes. In a LASIK procedure, tissue is removed from the corneal layer, while in intraocular lens placement, the lenses are placed over the eyes and function similarly to eyeglasses. Intraocular lenses are mainly used in cataract surgery, where the natural lens of the eye is removed because it turns cloudy. In phakic intraocular lens placement, there is no need to remove the natural lens. Phakic intraocular lenses are best for people with myopia between -8 and -20 diopters.
Disadvantages:
All surgical procedures come with some associated risks, and this is also true for phakic intraocular lenses. Although complications are rare, it is important for a person to understand them and decide whether to undergo lens placement surgery or stick with traditional lenses. Some of the complications include eye inflammation, cataracts, retinal detachment, infection, glaucoma, increased pressure inside the eyes that can damage the optic nerve, difficulty driving, severe vision loss, loss of cells in the corneal layer, and halos around lights.
It is advised to consult an experienced surgeon before undergoing the surgery. Additionally, it is important to remove traditional contact lenses before going to bed every night to ensure the eyes don’t get damaged.