The Future - Implanting Contact Lenses in Your Eye


Implanting lenses the futureThere may be a new future for many vision problems.  For years, millions of people have worn glasses so that they can see clearly. Then, came along contact lenses, which are similar to the eyes natural lens, but are placed at the front of the eye and have the required prescription.  Refractive surgery is a phenomenon in its won. Lasik and other laser treatments are becoming increasingly popular.  But what about, implanting a lens in the eye? Could this, be the future?

Laser eye surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear part of the eye, which is found over the iris (the coloured part).  Laser surgery is still a relatively new procedure and the long-term effects have often been subject to much debate.  Normal contact lenses have the inherent nuisance of having to be removed regularly, often on a daily basis. 

In comparison, implantable contact lenses have two main advantages.  Firstly, they don’t involve any permanent or irreversible changes to the eye.  Secondly, they can be changed as your vision changes but can also be left in the eye, long-term.

Until now, lens implants have been usually offered to patients that are not suitable for laser eye surgery, but this may soon change.  Implanting lenses involves minor surgery, in which a small cut is made in the eye and the lens is placed in front of the existing eye lens.  The new lens is made of plastic and patients are awake during the surgery.  Within 15 minutes, the surgery is complete and the eyes structure hasn’t been permanently changed.  The small incision heals naturally and quite rapidly.   

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that even though the principles of lens implants have been used for 20 years, as surgeons become more comfortable and experienced, the treatment will become more common.

Implantable lenses were approved by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1994 and new types are being developed.

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