What are Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)?

The Verisyse™ Phakic Intraocular Lens is a tiny lens that is placed behind the cornea. It is designed to permanently treat nearsightedness by correcting the way the eye focuses light on the retina. The Verisyse lens (pictured below) is made out of PMMA, a material that has been safely used for decades in implants placed in the eye during cataract surgery. The word “phakic” means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye, and not removed as in cataract surgery. Leaving your natural lens in place is important to help your eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far. The Verisyse procedure is intended to be permanent, but the lens can be removed if desired. Placement of the lens requires a brief outpatient surgical procedure. With successful use in more than 150,000 procedures worldwide, the Verisyse design is proven to provide very precise and predictable correction of moderate to severe nearsightedness.


The Verisyse lens in the eye

Who can benefit from a Phakic Intraocular Lens?
For very nearsighted individuals who are not candidates for LASIK, the Verisyse Phakic Intraocular Lens may be an option to correct the focus of the eye. During your initial screening with Dr. Misra, your eye will be measured to determine the best procedure for you, and all available alternatives will be reviewed in detail. In general, you may be a candidate for the Verisyse procedure if you meet the following criteria:

1) You are 21 years of age or older.
2) Your eyes are healthy with no eye disease, iris, pupil or corneal abnormality, or history of retinal detachment.
3) Your nearsightedness can be corrected with lenses between –5.0 to   –20.0 Diopters.
4) You have 2.5 Diopters or less of astigmatism.
5) The focus of your eye is stable and your nearsightedness has not changed more than 0.50 Diopters for 6 months prior to surgery.
6) You are not currently pregnant or nursing.