When considering vision correction options, it's helpful to compare phakic lenses with eye laser surgery. Phakic lenses are a permanent solution that involves implanting a lens into the eye without removing the natural lens, making them ideal for patients with high levels of nearsightedness or other specific conditions. Phakic lenses can generally be safely removed when indidated. On the other hand, eye laser surgeries such as TransPRK work by reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors. Laser surgeries are generally less invasive and involve longer recovery times, but they may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with very high refractive errors or other corneal issues like keratoconus. Both options have their advantages and potential drawbacks, so it's essential to consult with an eye care specialist to determine the best approach for your individual needs.
What Are Phakic Lenses?
Phakic intraocular lenses, or phakic lenses, are specialized lenses made of plastic or silicone that are implanted into the eye to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. The term "phakic" indicates that these lenses are implanted without removing the eye's natural lens. During phakic lens implantation surgery, a small incision is made in the front of the eye, through which the phakic lens is inserted and placed just in front of or behind the iris.
What Do Phakic Lenses Treat?
Phakic lenses are primarily used to correct refractive errors, which are imperfections in the eye's focusing power. Specifically, all phakic lenses approved by the FDA are designed to correct nearsightedness (myopia). In a healthy eye, the cornea and natural lens focus light to create a clear image on the retina, much like a camera lens focuses light onto film. However, refractive errors cause images to be out of focus or blurred. For those who are nearsighted, distant objects appear blurry because the images come into focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Phakic lenses aim to redirect light so that it focuses correctly on the retina, providing clear distance vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Can Phakic Lenses Be Removed?
Phakic lenses are intended to be a permanent solution for vision correction. While they can be surgically removed if necessary, it is not guaranteed that your vision will return to its previous state before the implantation.
Differences Between Phakic Intraocular Lenses and Intraocular Lenses Following Cataract Surgery
The primary difference between phakic intraocular lenses and the intraocular lenses used after cataract surgery lies in the state of the eye's natural lens. Phakic lenses are implanted without removing the eye's natural lens, while intraocular lenses for cataract surgery replace the eye's cloudy natural lens (cataract) that has been removed.
Anatomy of the Eye
Understanding the anatomy of the eye helps in comprehending how phakic lenses work. The eye is a complex organ with several parts, including the sclera, cornea, iris, pupil, and optic nerve. When looking at an internal side view of the eye, we can see the anterior chamber, posterior chamber, natural lens, retina, and optic nerve.
How Phakic Lenses Work
Phakic lenses work by redirecting light to focus correctly on the retina, providing clear vision. In a nearsighted eye, light focuses in front of the retina, resulting in a blurry image. Phakic lenses adjust the focus so that light rays hit the retina directly, creating a sharp image and improving distance vision. Phakic lenses basically correct the focus the same as spectacles, contact lenses or laser eye surgery but in a permanent and effective way especially where the emmetropia (refractive error) is high.
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For more details on phakic lens implantation surgery and how it can benefit you, contact us today at Olympia Eye & Laser Centre in Namibia!
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