The Benefits Of Choosing The Implantable Contact Lens

There is a difference between traditional contact lenses and the new option in the implantable contact lens.

The traditional type of contact lens can be made of a variety of products from rigid materials, including glass, through to the new soft contacts that are silicon hydrogels or similar products.

The material used to make the implantable contact lens is a naturally occurring collagen known as collamer. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), actually lists the lenses as implantable collamer lenses.

The current research has focussed in on using the implantable contact lens for treating moderately to significant cases of nearsightedness or myopia. These people can see up close without difficulty but cannot see objects that are distant to their body. The more severe the diagnosis of myopia the smaller the range of vision that the individual has when looking away from proximal objects.

The plus of the implantable contact :

In general implantable contact lens patients with moderate to significant myopia reported better overall results in studies than patients that used refractory or LASIK surgery as a way to correct the nearsightedness problem.

This is also an effective option for people that are not candidates for the LASIK procedure based on factor that rule them out for the procedure.

Like LASIK the procedure is relatively permanent although the implantable contact lens can be surgically removed if required.

The method used to place the implantable contact lens is relatively simple and has low risk in most patients. A small incision is made the cornea of the eye and the disk like lens is then placed just in front of the current lens in most procedures.

With some of the implantable lenses the potion of the artificial lens is behind the iris while in others it is in front of the iris. The existing natural lens is not removed since the implantable contact lens will simple take over the job of focusing the eye. This is a pain free type of surgery that is not long in duration and has a slightly higher than ninety five percent success rate in all patients.

Generally most doctors will only recommend implantable contact lens solutions if the patient is between the ages of 21 and 45. There has been little research or study in the effectiveness of the procedure in individuals older than 45 but due to the natural aging processes and increased vision problems it may not be appropriate. While the implant is permanent it is reversible and, as mentioned above, the lens can be surgically removed if there is any need.

Most patients have no complications post procedure with the implantable contact lens. Occasionally there are problems with incision infections but this is typically due to incorrect follow-up and care by the patient.

These infections are usually easily treated with antibacterial eye drops and antibiotics. Occasionally the lens that is selected either overcorrects or undercorrects, resulting in less than perfect vision. The lens can simply be replaced for many patients or they may also choose to wear corrective glasses that may allow the eye to adjust on its own over time.