Approximately one third of the population is affected by myopia. People with myopia are able to better see near objects than objects in the distance. Because of this, myopia is often referred to as nearsightedness.
An elongated eyeball (eye that is too long from front to back) is typically the cause for nearsightedness. Because the eye is longer than it should be, the incoming light rays tend to focus in front of the retina, instead of on it. This causes distant objects to appear blurry.
The degree of nearsightedness determines the distance that a patient can see. A patient with severe myopia may only be able to clearly see a few inches, while a patient with mild myopia may be able to focus on and clearly see objects several yards in the distance.
No matter the degree of severity, nearsightedness can become a hindrance in life: causing myopic patients to have difficulty seeing highway signs, move scenes, or a field / court at a sporting event. This limitation causes many myopic patients to seek treatment.
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Myopia has often been corrected through the use of corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses. Prescription eyewear, however, is not a permanent solution to refractive error, since they are only effective when being worn.
Technological advancements have made refractive procedures another viable nearsightedness correction option. Some advanced methods for correcting myopia include:
STAAR Surgical Company has manufactured one of the first phakic IOLs (intraocular lens) for refractive surgery approved by the FDA for use in the United States: the Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens). The company has also developed the Visian Toric ICL, which provides nearsightedness and astigmatism correction. Currently the toric version of the phakic IOL is only available outside of the United States, as it is currently under review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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The Visian ICL is a Collamer lens placed into the eye between the iris and the eye's natural crystalline lens. By combining its focusing power with the eye's natural lens (similar to the theory behind a traditional prescription contact lens), the Visian ICL is able to correct for a wide range of myopia.
An improved quality of vision is noticed with the Visian ICL. The Collamer lens produces sharper vision than other refractive surgical procedures. 1, 2 Also, the unique Collamer material makes the Visian ICL "invisible" to the body. (It is not seen as a foreign object by the immune system.)
Unlike other myopia (nearsightedness) correction surgical procedures like LASIK or PRK, the implantation of the Visian ICL does not remove or alter the eye's tissue. Instead, during the refractive surgical procedure, a small incision is made and the foldable Collamer lens is inserted into the eye to supplement the eye's natural lens.
STAAR Surgical Company's implantable Collamer lenses are not permanently placed in the eye and can be removed if a prescription change is needed for further nearsightedness correction or if a cataract develops and needs to be treated.
Over 99 percent of patients were satisfied with the results of their Visian ICL implantation. 3
Additional information is available on the Visian ICL page of this website.
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To determine if you are a candidate for refractive surgery with a phakic IOL, visit your ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam. You eye doctor will inform you if your degree of myopia is best treated with a phakic IOL or if another form of nearsighted correction is better suited for your circumstances. It is important to find a qualified eye surgeon who is a certified Visian ICL professional for your vision correction needs.
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1. Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia. J. Cornea Ext Dis, 2003;22(4):324-331.
2. Sarver EJ, Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Image quality in myopic eyes corrected with laser in situ keratomileusis and phakic intraocular lens. J Refracr Surg. 2003; 19(4):397-404.
3. UV-absorbing Collamer implantable contact lens (ICL) for the correction of myopia. PMA# P030016. Presentation to the Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Panel. October 3, 2003.
*Not available in the US