Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Solutions in sightwww.seri-lugano.ch

We are able to see because our eyes capture the light reflected by the ob-jects around us, and our brains, with the experience they carry, interpret and decode the stimuli transmitted through the eyes.

Vision is not a mechanical recording of reality. Oth-er factors, physical, physiological, and mental, are also involved in sight.

The rays of light reflected by an object penetrate the transparent outer layer of the eyeball (cornea) and pass through the pupil, a hole at the centre of the iris that dilates or contracts according to the light in the surrounding environment.

The iris, the coloured part of the eye, is made of muscle tissue and its function is to automatically regulate the diameter of the pupil. After passing through the pupil, the rays of light project their in-formation upside down on the retina, which is lo-cated inside the eye, and the brain then correctly interprets and decodes the images.

Roberto Pinelli MD FMH specialist in ophthalmology and eye surgery

Visual defects

A careful eye examination is an indispensable first step in building up an accurate clinical picture of the pathologies that are afflicting a patient with a view to identifying the most appropriate solutions as well as any operations that may be required to enhance vision.

MyopiaThe condition whereby a person can read with ease but cannot focus on distant objects without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. Myopia may have a number of causes: excessive corneal curvature, accentuated curvature of the crystalline lens or ex-cessive elongation of the eyeball.

HyperopiaThe opposite of myopia, it involves insufficient cor-neal curvature that causes images to focus behind the retina, even in young people, with the result that distant objects can be seen clearly but close up they become blurred. The point of focus has to be moved forward in order to have clear vision, and this is achieved by means of positive lenses that make the rays of light converge on the retina.

AstigmatismA sight defect caused by the irregular curvature of the cornea, it results in light rays from an object not being refracted evenly on the cornea, thus produc-ing different degrees of focus at different points. People suffering from astigmatism have difficulty focusing both at a distance and close up.

PresbyopiaA physiological condition that develops with age, it occurs when the crystalline lens, which allows the eye to focus, thickens and becomes increasingly re-sistant to the process of accommodation. A dwindling capacity to focus is an absolutely natural aspect of the ageing process.

A special lens

A phakic IOL is an intraocular lens implanted in the eye without removing the natural crystalline lens. It is therefore added to the existing natural lens that governs focusing.

The term ‘phakic’ refers to an eye that retains its natural crystalline lens, and IOL stands for Intra Ocular Lens.With phakic IOLs it is possible to definitively correct visual defects such as myopia and hyperopia, even when acute. Unlike other procedures, this tech-nique leaves the cornea practically intact and may be reversed if necessary.

An extremely advantageous solution The procedure involves inserting a permanent con-tact lens into the eye and has many benefits for the patient in terms of comfort, including enhanced visual acuity compared to before the operation.

The intraocular lens is as effective as corrective eyewear in terms of addressing visual defects, if not more so, but without the inconvenience. More-over, phakic IOLs may also be removed or replaced if necessary.

Who is it for?

Phakic IOLs are suitable for patients who for var-ious reasons do not qualify for other types of sur-gery.

Phakic IOLs may also be a suitable alternative where surface techniques with excimer laser would result in the removal of an excessive layer of cor-neal tissue. The procedure is also possible for ex-tremely acute visual defects or defects associated with astigmatism.

A detailed pre-op examination is required to assess a patient’s suitability for the procedure and the na-ture of their visual defect. The specialist will also be able to assess the eye’s fitness to receive the im-plant, as well as rule out any pathologies that would conflict with the procedure. It also affords the pa-tient the opportunity to make an informed choice and clear up any doubts or fears.

The procedure and its durationPhakic IOL implants are fast and painless, safe and effective. Patient satisfaction after the oper-ation is generally very high.

The procedure normally takes between 10 and 15 minutes per eye, and the patient can expect to be in the clinic for about an hour. The operation is carried out under topical anaesthe-sia using anaesthetic eye drops. A few miotic drops are also applied to temporarily reduce the pupil’s diameter. The patient remains conscious through-out the procedure without experiencing any discom-fort or pain, and can interact with the surgeon. The patient may return home straight after the opera-tion and resume normal activities after a few hours’ rest.

The IOL implant is per-formed without removing any corneal tissue. A tiny incision is made on the cor-nea, through which the lens is inserted into the eye and positioned as required, ac-cording to the type of lens.

Soft and invisible lensesThe lens is made of soft, biocompatible, and in cer-tain cases foldable material. It is invisible to the na-ked eye, and post-implant visual acuity is compara-ble to that achieved by LASIK surgery, considered worldwide the most exciting procedure in refractive surgery.

SERI Switzerland Eye Research Institute SA Riva Paradiso 2 CH-6900 Lugano-Paradiso T +41 (0)91 993 13 01 F +41 (0)91 993 13 02 info@seri-lugano.ch www.seri-lugano.chPhoto by F. Simonetti - Studio Camponovo archive.

SERI Switzerland Eye Research Institute is a centre for vision science research and innovation in the fi eld of eye surgery. Founded in 2013 in Lugano, it offers non-invasive, bilateral, and painless corrective sur-gery for all kinds of sight defect (including presbyopia).

Alongside refractive surgery, SERI Switzerland Eye Research Institute also offers tailored LAMal-recog-nised diagnosis and treatment in all areas of ophthal-mology, from retinal disorders to paediatric ophthal-mology.

Under the scientifi c guidance of Roberto Pinelli MD, SERI Switzerland Eye Research Institute is constantly breaking new ground in the fi elds of refractive sur-gery, clinical ophthalmology, eye surgery, and paedi-atric ophthalmology.

Treatment and surgery at SERI Lugano is always in line with the latest, safest, and most effective scien-tifi c developments available. This is made possible thanks to ongoing research and the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology.

SERI Lugano offers a wide range of surgical options and a highly personalised approach, as well as the latest generation of laser eye surgery technology, coupled with the expertise and relational skills of qualifi ed specialists.

The institutional culture at SERI Lugano is geared entirely to achieving excellence in the fi eld of vision sciences and full patient satisfaction.

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