Verisyse, Veriflex, and Vision ICL lenses are types of intraocular lenses that are implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye (between the iris and cornea, or iris and eye lens) for the purpose of correcting refractive errors. The implantation of Verisyse, Veriflex, and Vision ICL lenses is an alternative to laser vision correction when the patient is not a suitable candidate for laser correction, such as in the case of high refractive errors or a cornea that’s too thin. A detailed examination is necessary to determine whether a patient who wants to correct their vision is a candidate for laser correction or for lens implantation, considering the numerous values and calculations that are checked.
The surgical procedure is most often performed under local anesthesia. When implanting Verisyse and Veriflex lenses, a small incision is made at the edge of the cornea and the lens is placed into the anterior chamber of the eye. Then, with special instruments, it is gently attached to the iris in front of the pupil at both ends. In this way, the lens is firmly placed in the appropriate position. Rarely, a single stitch is placed at the incision site (located under the upper eyelid) which is most often removed about a month after the surgery. When it comes to Vision ICL phakic intraocular lens, the implantation procedure is similar, except that the lens is not fixed to the iris but is implanted in front of the eye’s natural lens, and the wound on the cornea is not stitched.
Astigmatism is an irregular curvature of the cornea that is corrected with cylindrical diopters. By implanting toric phakic intraocular lenses, such as Vision ICL, astigmatism can now be corrected up to +6.00 diopters.
No. The implantation of lenses only corrects the diopter, while the accommodation in the eye remains preserved. This means that our natural lens, through the power of accommodation, adjusts and focuses for good near vision.
The implantation of lenses in the anterior chamber of the eye is a reversible process. With the onset of cataracts (clouding of our natural lens), phakic intraocular lenses can be easily removed from the eye and cataract surgery continues using the usual ultrasound method. In case of an impact, trauma, glaucoma, or any other eye condition, the lens is also removed and the appropriate treatment is applied.
Every surgical procedure carries a certain risk of complications. Firstly, there is the risk of infection, as with every surgery, but this risk is numerically negligible in our clinic, thanks to the vast experience of the surgeons and the standards of cleanliness and sterility in the operating rooms. There is also the possibility of transiently increased intraocular pressure during the recovery period immediately after the operation (most often the first 2 weeks) until a new dynamics of eye fluid circulation is established. Every eye operation also carries a risk of retinal detachment, but this is also extremely rare and infrequent. Any complication can be managed.
In a certain number of patients with implanted lenses, a change in diopter is possible (in 2% to 5% of cases). If the diopter changes, it is possible to perform laser diopter correction, or the difference can be corrected with glasses. The implantation of lenses is a reversible procedure, and in the case of a significant change in the diopter, it is possible to replace the lens with an appropriate one, or a stronger one.
Patients are warned about all limitations during the preoperative preparation, and on the check-up the morning after the operation. It is necessary to follow the instructions for using the mandatory therapy. The operated eye should not be washed for at least 7 days after surgery, as tap water sometimes contains impurities and microorganisms, and there is a fresh surgical wound on the eye. If necessary, the eye can be gently rinsed with artificial tears or saline. The eye should not be rubbed or touched with hands. For the first 7 to 10 days, it is necessary to protect the eye with darker glasses when going outside and avoid wind, smoke, dust, cooking steam, and the steam of cleaning agents. It is recommended not to lift heavier loads, not to stay in a bent position for a long time, to avoid heavier gymnastics, to avoid swimming pools, spas, and saunas – all this in the first month after the procedure. After the first month post-operation, all limitations are lifted.
In our clinic, we apply all methods of laser vision correction, including PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), as well as Epi-LASIK, LASEK, and T-PRK. Depending on the type and degree of refractive error, and the findings in the eye, the patient is given options to choose the technique by which the operation will be performed. In over 95% of cases, we apply the LASIK method.
There are two basic requirements that every candidate for surgery must meet: they must be over 18 years old, and their refractive error must have been stable for at least a year before surgery. Other requirements include having a refractive error between +6.00 D and -10.00 D, sufficient corneal thickness, and no other diseases, primarily at the back of the eye.
Laser correction of refractive errors and pregnancy have no direct correlation, and operations are performed even on women who have never given birth. There is a very small chance that hormonal changes during pregnancy will cause a change in refractive error, and this process is not influenced by the type of corrective aid (glasses, contact lenses) or laser surgery. In women whose refractive error did not change during their first pregnancy, there is a very small chance that this will happen in a subsequent pregnancy. The laser surgery itself has no influence on the choice of delivery method.
The examination can be performed on the same day as your call. Our nurses will provide you with the first available appointment that suits your schedule. Several doctors perform laser examinations, so we have the possibility to accommodate your needs to the fullest extent.
Before the examination, it’s necessary to remove contact lenses, at least 3 days prior for soft lenses, and 8 days for hard lenses. Also, ensure to arrange for someone to accompany you as you won’t be able to drive when your pupils are dilated. Additionally, please bring any old medical records if you have them.
Before the examination, you should remove soft contact lenses at least 3 full days in advance, while for semi-hard and hard contact lenses, this period is at least 8 days. This allows the surface of the eye to “rest”, ensuring the accuracy of measurements and results.
Laser eye surgery for vision correction has been in clinical use for over 20 years, and more than 40 million people worldwide have undergone this procedure. The only complications of this procedure can be temporary postoperative dryness of the eye and a partial return of the removed diopter. Both of these complications cannot lead to vision loss and cannot be predicted as they depend on the individual’s potential for tissue healing. Postoperative dryness of the eye is resolved with artificial tears in the form of drops that are instilled until the tear film recovers. A partial return of diopter can be addressed either with additional laser surgery or by wearing corrective glasses. It’s important to note that over 95% of patients experience no difficulties after the procedure.
Theoretically, it is possible to do the examination and surgery on the same day, but this is certainly not recommended. Since we dilate pupils during the exam in order to inspect your lens and the back of your eye, it’s necessary to wait 2-4 hours for the pupils to return to their original state, as required by the laser. The whole process then takes a long time and is not comfortable for the person waiting for surgery. We believe that it’s psychologically and technically much simpler to make at least a day’s difference between the examination and the surgery itself.
Before the laser vision correction surgery itself, anesthesia is given in the form of eye drops, making the operation completely painless. The surgery lasts 5 minutes per eye. The laser reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive error within seconds (1.5 seconds are needed to correct 1 diopter), and during this period it is necessary to look as calmly as possible at the lights above you. The operator communicates with you all the time, guiding you through the surgery. The laser has a so-called “eye tracker” which tracks eye movements, thus preventing the possibility of error. Before the surgery, a control check of the diopter and another short conversation are carried out. After the surgery, you will be given instructions by our nurses, and you will receive eye drops and a discharge letter. Your stay at the clinic that day lasts a little longer than an hour.
After the operation, you should refrain from strenuous physical activities for a month, while light jogging or gymnastics can be started already after 2 weeks. In the beginning, it is also advisable to avoid smoky and dusty rooms, and watching TV, working on a computer, and driving can be started as soon as the postoperative dryness of the eye no longer bothers you, or in other words when you feel safe. So, you can engage in these activities a few days after the surgery, but only to the extent that you feel comfortable. None of the mentioned activities can affect the possible return of the refractive error, so you don’t have to worry about that. Women should not wear makeup for 3 weeks after the surgery, but you can wash your face already after 3 days. In the first 3 postoperative days, instead of washing, the eye should be rinsed with artificial tears to reduce the possibility of infection. You are allowed to swim in the sea for 2 weeks after the surgery, but you should refrain from swimming in pools for a month due to the possibility of an eye infection.
Follow-up check-ups are done the day after the surgery, within a week, after a month, then after 3 months, and then annually. The first two check-ups are the most important, so it is desirable to have them done with us. Further check-ups are arranged individually. All check-ups within the first postoperative month are free of charge.
