PHAKIC INTRAOCULAR
LENS- ICL
advanced ocular technology
A phakic lens is an intraocular lens implanted in the eye without removing the crystalline lens or replacing any eye structure. The crystalline lens is the part of the eye between the iris and the vitreous body which focuses on objects at various distances by increasing or reducing its curvature.
The use of intraocular lenses in young patients is an alternative to laser surgery in cases where it cannot be performed due to high prescription, corneal pathologies, eye dryness and other conditions.
Reversible
Intraocular implants do not modify eye structure and therefore are totally reversible procedures.
Absence of eye dryness
Eye dryness will not be a concern because the corneal surface is not affected.
Biocompatible material
IOL are manufactured with biocompatible materials that are well tolerated by the eye.
Totally adjusted to each patient
Intraocular lenses are specifically adjusted for each patient and can correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
ADVANCED
REFRACTIVE SURGERY
Dr. Alonso clarifies the most frequent doubts regarding laser refractive surgery.
The expertise of our medical team combined with the use of state-of-the-art technology guarantee the best results for our patients. Schedule a non-binding consultation and we will recommend you the best treatment option for your condition.
Am I a candidate?
Candidates to intraocular implants include patients who, after an accurate ophthalmological examination to determine the safety of the procedure, no longer wish to rely on optical correction (eyeglasses or contact lenses) and do not meet the criteria for laser surgery.
Minimum age required for surgery is 18 years old.
Patients must be affected by a stable refractive error.
Patients must meet ophthalmological requirements.
TYPES OF
INTRAOCULAR LENSES
- Epicrystallinian intraocular lenses (usually implantable collamer lenses or ICL®) are the most commonly used nowadays. They are implanted in the posterior chamber of the eye, behind the iris and before the crystalline lens
- Iris-fixated intraocular lenses: in this case intraocular refractive surgery is used to implant the lens in the anterior chamber of the eye, before the iris.
ICL
LENSES
ICL or Implantable Collamer Lenses are made of biocompatible material and implanted between the iris and the crystalline lens. They correct the most common refractive errors as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. These lenses are specifically designed and adjusted for each eye and person.
Recovery process after implant surgery is simple and vision is recovered quickly. Implants allow the correction of refractive errors preserving the crystalline lens and without affecting the cornea.
A patient ‘s opinion on the correction of myopia with ICL
ICL correct high prescription errors.
ICL may be used to treat two refractive errors at once.
Surgery is fully reversible.
Comfortable and painless.
ICL® surgery procedure
ICL surgery involves making small incisions (which often do not require suturing) to insert the intraocular lens in the eye. Most cases (depending on the patient’s condition) allow the insertion of ICL lenses behind the iris without any fixation.
Patients with high prescriptions require intraocular lenses fixated to the anterior part of the iris. None of these procedures involves removing eye tissues or modifying any part of the eye, a lens is simply added to the equation. ICL surgery is an outpatient procedure carried out with local anaesthetic.
When are ICL recommended
Intraocular implants (usually Phakic ICL) without removing the natural lens, have become an excellent choice for the correction of refractive errors (myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism) in patients who are not presbyopic and need an alternative to laser correction surgery (either because they have very high prescription or because the conditions of the cornea do not allow laser correction).
POST-OPERATIVE PROCESS
OF IOL IMPLANTS SURGERY
After surgery patients must follow the specific recommendations of the doctor and observe the following directions:
- Patients can lead a normal life after surgery but must avoid impacts on the eyes
- Avoid rubbing the eyes
- Patients must observe basic hygienic measures before applying eye drops
- Maintain the area around the eyes clean and dry avoiding contact with them
CONSIDERATIONS OF
INTRAOCULAR LENSES
An accurate preoperative examination is essential to determine whether eye conditions are optimal for IOL implants and guarantee maximum safety during surgery.
Our clinic has the most advanced technology to measure different eye structures and forecast lens position and endothelial cellularity (number and disposition of the cells in the internal layer of the cornea), a key factor for safe IOL implants.
LENS
REPLACEMENT
Intraocular lenses are manufactured with biocompatible materials and may remain in the eye as long as adequate control measures are observed.
However, they must be removed when the patient reaches the age of cataract surgery. In these cases the lenses are replaced by others that are inserted into the eye’s capsular sac after the opacified crystalline lens is removed.
If dioptres increase with ageing it is possible to carry out some laser touch up on the lens. With such improvement the number of dioptres to be corrected will be less if prescription changes.
PIONEERS IN
OCULAR SURGERY
The expertise of our medical team combined with the use of state-of-the-art technology guarantee the best results for our patients.
«My brother had intraocular implant surgery a month ago. He had very high prescription for each eye. Everything came out perfect. He received special care from the very start and the treatment was excellent. Surgery was successful with a very satisfactory recovery.»
Carmen González.
«I have been a patient of the clinic for many years now. It is the family clinic. They have an excellent service quality and the staff always make us feel in a friendly atmosphere.»
Álvaro Lluch.
«I have been visiting this clinic for a while now and I’m very satisfied with them. The staff are very friendly and professional »
Esther Herranz.
PRICING AND
FINANCING
At CLÍNICA RAHHAL we want treatment to be affordable for our patients.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Select any of the following FAQs from our patients and check the answers. If your doubts are not solved please use the contact form below to get in touch with us.
When can I have surgery to correct myopia/hyperopia?
Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) can only be corrected when the patient’s prescription is stabilised, which occurs around the age of 20.
Can I have surgery if I also have astigmatism, aside from myopia/hyperopia?
Yes, any of the procedures currently used (laser and lens implants) allow the simultaneous correction of both errors.
What happens if my eyes move during the laser surgery procedure?
The eye must remain as stable as possible during surgery, therefore patients lie on a treatment table with their eyes fixed on a red light on the Excimer Laser machine.
A safety device called eye tracker compensates for involuntary eye movements following up the eye at milliseconds intervals and adjusting the direction of the laser pulses. In case of sudden movements the safety system fully stops the treatment.
How long does laser surgery last?
It is a quick procedure. Patients remain in the surgery room for 15- 20 minutes on average. Just a few seconds of that time are used for the application of the Excimer Laser. The remaining time is used to
prepare the patient’s eye for surgery.
Is laser surgery painful?
Refractive surgery procedures are carried out using topical (local) anaesthetics (eye drops). Patients do not experience any pain during the operation.
How will the post-operative/recovery period be?
LASIK and PRK procedures have a very simple post-operative processes which require only eyedrops and artificial tears.
After surgery it is recommended to rest at least for 24 hours. Most work activities can be resumed after 48 hours. Patients must wait at least a week to resume any sport activity.
I have a very high prescription. Can I undergo refractive surgery?
During the pre-op check up, our medical team will examine the condition of the cornea, namely corneal width and number of dioptres to be corrected. Laser treatment vaporises corneal tissue. The amount of extracted tissue is proportional to the number of dioptres to be treated. Intraocular lens implants may be considered if prescription is very high.
First visit
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