Implantable Lenses-Phakic IOLs

Surgically implanted lenses, sometimes called phakic IOLs (intraocular lenses), are another option for patients who are looking for permanent correction of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperobia (farsightedness). These implants, which resemble contact lenses, are placed in one of two locations in the eye: between the clear lens in front of the eye (cornea) and the iris (colored portion of the eye) or just behind the iris.

Implantable lenses are similar to the intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery. However, implantable lenses are placed in eyes that retain their natural lens, unlike in cataract surgery where IOLs replace a natural lens that has turned cloudy.

Eye surgeons may consider implantable lenses when other vision correction procedures aren't a good option, such as when a person has thin corneas or myopia between -3.00 and -20.00 diopters. For some patients who receive phakic IOLs, LASIK is sometimes used as a follow-up to refine vision correction. Implantable lenses are a surgical alternative to LASIK or other type of laser refractive eye surgery and may produce better vision.

The two FDA-approved implantable lenses that are available in the United States are Verisyse made by Abbott Medical Optics and Visian ICL made by Staar Surgical.

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