Alexander Eye Institute

Intraocular lenses (IOL), often referred to as ICLs, are artificial lens implants that are placed inside the eye, to improve severe nearsightedness, while your natural lens remains intact. Although the first type of this technology was only FDA approved for the treatment of myopia or nearsightedness in September 2004, the procedure has been used for more than 20-years in other countries and has been under study in the United States.

Those who would most benefit from an IOL implant have a high degree of prescription, thin corneas (not a candidate for LASIK surgery) or prefer a non-laser vision correction.

Alexander Eye Institute pioneered PermaClear, which is a lens replacement surgery common to cataract surgery except that a multifocal lens is used to replace the non-functioning natural crystalline lens. This procedure allows you to see clearly at all focal lengths; near, far and mid-range.

An IOL surgery is similar to a lens implant surgery. It differs, however, because the functioning natural lens is left in place. Dr. Alexander utilizes the appropriate intraocular lens to meet your vision correction need. An IOL surgery also differs in that it takes longer to realize the full benefit of the lens compared to UltraSight, a bladeless all laser LASIK surgery at AEI, or PermaClear. All aspects of the IOL surgery are explained prior to your procedure.

The Verisyse^TM (formerly ARTASAN®) phakic intraocular lens is produced by OPHTEC BV and is distributed in the United States by AMO. It is indicated "to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in nearsighted moderate to high nearsighted individuals." Additionally, these individual "may not qualify for laser vision correction because they have a high refractive correction, thin corneas, or a preference for non-laser vision correction."

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People with extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness may not be suitable candidates for LASIK, but may benefit from a Verisyse lens.

The implanted lens "provides superior quality of vision, especially for individuals with high myopia," Rick McCarley, president and chief executive officer of Ophtec USA said. "This technology provides an excellent alternative for surgeons whose myopic patients may not be good candidates for laser surgery and want to eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses," Jane E. Rady, corporate vice president of strategy and technology for AMO said. "The progressive design of the lens and its placement in the eye's anterior chamber provide high levels of safety and stability, and optimal visual outcomes."

The Verisyse lens is intended to be permanent, however, it can be removed. It is important to keep in mind that glasses may still be needed for night driving or activities performed in low light.

Call Alexander Eye Institute, 877-844-2020 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about Verisyse and other vision correction surgery.