Are You A Candidate for Implantable Contact Lens?

Formerly, the only American eye patients who were eligible to receive implantable contact lenses were those who had developed cataracts that were removed because of clouded vision.  Some surgeons are now using this same procedure to implant contact lenses into the eyes of patients who have an extreme nearsighted condition who will not benefit from LASIK surgery. 

Surgeons are being trained to use a Federal Drug Administration approved method of implanting contact lenses.  This method needs to be done in a sterile operating room and the procedure takes about fifteen minutes to perform.  When a contact lens has been implanted, the natural lens is not replaced.  The procedure does not include removing any tissue or reshaping the cornea in any way. 

Many eye surgeons are receiving training on this new method for treating farsightedness, nearsightedness, and some astigmatism.  They are the three most commonly found eye problems.  In Europe, this procedure has been widely used and has proven to be effective in correcting these vision problems.  It is important to note that not all patients who have astigmatism are good candidates for contact lens implants.  Some astigmatism problems may be too severe and may not be treatable.

There are risks involved in placing implantable contact lenses in the eyes.  Those include bleeding, infection, and a change of prescription, which would mean a new lens would need to be implanted.  There were problems with shifting of the lens but only by patients who received a blow to the eye.  Infection is always possible, but there were no reports of infection in over 1000 patients who had follow-up examinations.  The likelihood of infection seems to be low because the lens is sitting in liquid and constantly washed in tears.  The lens is made from the same material used for lens implants after cataract surgery. 

Several noted American celebrities have elected to have implantable contact lens with glowing reports and testimonials.  Those celebrities include Courtney Cox, Carole King, Brad Pitt, and Blair Underwood.  Shortly after the Federal Drug Administration approved the procedure, an operation was performed live on Good Morning America that saved the vision of a woman considered legally blind. 

Although prescriptions may change through the years, many of the patients who had implanted lenses needed only a quick touch-up to correct and restore vision.  This touch-up was done with a laser beam.  One of the most unexpected results was that most prescriptions stayed the same after implantable contact lens were inserted in the eye.  Studies imply that even if a prescription does change, a patient may only need to buy a pair of reading glasses for ideal vision.

If you feel you are a candidate for implantable contact lenses, talk to your eye doctor.  Tests may be needed to be sure your vision will be improved by having this procedure.  You will also need to look at what this procedure will cost and check to see if it is covered by your group health plan.  Implantable contact lenses can cost as much as $4000 to $5000 for both eyes.  A noted eye surgeon estimates about eight to ten million eye patients could benefit from this surgery.