Treatment of high level myopia hyperopia and astigmatism

When laser surgery isn't solution

Even though laser treatment is the most common method used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, it isn’t always the best option and it may be better to use intraocular lens implants due to:

• The excellent quality of vision achieved for patients with high level myopia or hyperopia.

• The existence of conditions which make laser surgery inadvisable, such as an insufficiency in the thickness of the cornea or other ocular deficiencies.

• Two different types of lenses are used to correct high level myopia or hyperopia:

• Phakic lenses: For patients under approximately 45 years of age who do not suffer from presbyopia (age related long-sightedness). The implant is placed in front of the patient’s original lens.

• Multifocal pseudophakic lenses: For patients with presbyopia. The original lens is extracted and replaced with a lens implant that allows the patient to see at both near and far distances.

What happens in the operation to implant intraocular lenses?

Phakic IOL

Using an applicator, an intraocular lens is inserted through a tiny incision of 3 mm which is made at the edge of the cornea. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and is positioned in either the anterior chamber (in front of the iris), posterior chamber (behind the iris) or as a replacement for the original lens. Finally, the incision heals without stitches.

Local anaesthetic, delivered with eye drops and without any injections, is used while the lens is being positioned. Although patients are awake throughout the intervention, a sedative is administered so they feel relaxed. The operation is not painful and the patient can go home once it is over. After recuperating for a day, patients can go back to their normal routine.

In cases where there is astigmatism as well as myopia or hyperopia, an intraocular lens which also corrects astigmatism is implanted.

Advantages of Intraocular Lenses

Intraocular lens implants should not be viewed as a last resort which is only used when laser surgery is not possible. In many cases, even when laser surgery is a viable option, your ophthalmologist may recommend intraocular lens implants as the best solution for high level myopia or hyperopia. This is because in these cases intraocular lenses will give the best quality vision out of all the available options (glasses, contact lenses or laser surgery) due to the fact that correction takes place inside the eye and allows objects to be seen at their actual size. In addition, age-related long-sightedness can also be corrected.

Once the lens is implanted inside the eye it can be neither seen nor felt. The treatment is safe and achieves the highest quality of vision. These facts make intraocular lens implants the best option for many patients  with high levels of myopia or hyperopia.