Alternatives
Patients with thin corneas and extremely high nearsighted or farsighted prescriptions may not be good candidates for LASIK. Alternative procedures such as PRK or implantable intraocular lenses may be better alternatives.
Refractive Lens Exchange(RLE)
Refractive lens exchange, also called clear lens extraction, replaces the natural lens with a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in patients wishing to correct high farsightedness, high nearsightedness or presbyopia without undergoing a corneal modification procedure such as LASIK. Patients can choose from a wide range of IOLs in order to achieve the best possible vision for their individual eyes.
The refractive lens exchange procedure is the same as that used in cataract surgery; the only difference is that refractive lens exchange is performed to achieve refractive correction rather than cataract removal. Refractive lens exchange involves a rapid recovery and offers patients dramatic improvement in vision quality.
After surgery, patients enjoy clearer vision and greater focusing power almost immediately. Many eliminate or significantly reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses, and vision remains stable over time. This procedure also prevents the patient from developing cataracts in the future.
You may be a candidate for clear lens extraction if you:
- Want to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts
- Are over 50 years old
- Have high myopia (nearsightedness), high hyperopia (farsightedness), or presbyopia, with or without cataract
- Have early symptoms of cataracts
Although refractive lens exchange is considered safe for most patients, there are certain risks associated with any kind of procedure. You can discuss these risks, along with the benefits of this procedure, before deciding whether or not it is right for you.
AcrySof Angle-Supported Anterior Chamber
Phakic Lens™ also known as *Alcon AcrySof Cachet Phakic
- An ultra-thin intraocular (inside-the-eye) lens that sits in front of the eye's natural lens, just behind the iris, that is inserted through a small incision in the cornea.
- Candidates include adults with stable, high myopia.
- Dr. Rabinovitch is one of five original Canadian investigators for this lens.
Visian ICL™
The Visian ICL™ by STAAR Surgical is an insertable contact lens used to correct myopia (nearsightedness) in adults aged 21-45 without altering the cornea. Visian ICL offers High Definition Visian, a higher quality of vision than LASIK. It is the only minimally-invasive foldable lens available in the U.S. Made of a patented collagen-containing material called collamer, the Visian ICL is highly biocompatible, meaning it can be implanted in the eye with minimal risk of rejection.
Under topical anesthesia, the ICL and a gel-like substance are placed behind the iris through a tiny incision in the cornea. The gel is then removed. The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes and no stitches are required.
The ICL's location allows it to provide excellent quality of vision and also ensures that it is invisible to the patient and others. The ICL can be removed or replaced at any time, and patients can wear glasses or contact lenses or choose to have other procedures done with the ICL in place.
Learn more about the Visian ICL™ at www.visianinfo.com
Tel: 416-748-2020
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Toll Free: 1-888-748-2021
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