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What Is Refractive Intraocular Lens (IOL) Correction? |
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A refractive intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens that is implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye. This lens is the most effective means of correcting high myopia (over -9.5 diopters) and hyperopia.
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History of Refractive IOL |
You're farsighted or extremely nearsighted. Your dream is to see clearly without coke-bottle glasses or contact lenses. Say hello to the revolutionary refractive intraocular lens. This fast, painless and affordable procedure‚ pioneered by Dr. Fitterman in Canada‚ corrects your vision problem without the complications of LASIK.
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"Fantastic! No glasses, no contacts, no corneal abrasions. Wonderful!!!"
Woody
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It all started with a cataract. This is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The only treatment is surgical removal, leaving patients without the optical benefit of their natural lens. That is, they become extremely farsighted. For many years, thick, strong, „coke-bottle¾ glasses were the only way for these patients to see, as relatively few were able to handle contact lenses for any length of time.
In 1949, one of the truly rare breakthroughs in medicine occurred. Harold Ridley fashioned an artificial lens that he implanted in the eye of a cataract patient. While far from perfect, the procedure worked well enough to encourage further refinement. Today, intraocular lens replacement virtually goes hand-in-hand with cataract lens removal, giving millions of cataract patients a new lease on life. Decades of wear prove the safety of these lenses.
What about those people who don't have cataracts but who are so farsighted or nearsighted that they must wear their glasses from first thing in the morning until last thing at night? It has been determined that most of these people can benefit from modern intraocular (IOL) technology and microsurgery.
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The Refractive IOL Procedure |
"Having worn glasses since I was four I never thought I'd know what it would be like to wake up and see without the aid of some sort of corrective lens - That is, until I met Dr. Fitterman and his remarkable staff. Through Refractive Implant Sergery, they've made my unreachable fantasy a reality! Thank you Dr. Fitterman."
Jennifer Cordes
White Rock, Age 33
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Intraocular lenses are designed and used to correct refractive errors ‚ that is, nearsighted and farsighted eyes. Since the natural lens of the eye is left undisturbed, the procedure is much simpler than a cataract operation. Dr. Fitterman makes a small incision at the edge of the cornea and places the appropriate tiny plastic lens in the anterior chamber of the eye ‚ the space between the iris and the cornea. Dr. Fitterman then closes the incision with stitches.
Today's intraocular lenses have a flawless finish, extreme flexibility and excellent optics. More than a million artificial lenses of similar design have been used in cataract surgery for over 20 years as a replacement for a cloudy natural lens. Indeed, as one of the pioneers of this microsurgery in North America, Dr. Fitterman has a great deal of experience with the artificial lens implant, and has performed well over 10,000 documented procedures.
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Problems with Alternative Refractive Procedures |
LASIK
Laser InSitu Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a modification of PRK that is effective for correcting myopia. In this procedure a miniature precision-cutting device called a microkeratome is used to create a hinged flap on the front surface of the cornea. This flap is folded back, and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped with the same eximer laser used for PRK. The corneal flap is then replaced precisely in its original position. |
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Until now, there have been two refractive procedures available to correct high myopia (nearsightedness): Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Laser-in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). There have also been two refractive procedures available to correct hyperopia (farsightedness): Holmium Laser Thermokeratoplastyln (LTK) and LASIK.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
This procedure corrects refractive problems using a laser to reshape the cornea. While it is a safe, non-invasive treatment for the correction of myopia, the higher the myopia, the deeper the laser must go. This can cause more corneal haze (glare at night from bright lights), requiring steroid drops for a longer period of time. Also, the higher the myopia, the more common it is for the cornea to regress to its original shape, requiring further laser correction.
LASIK for Hyperopia (Laser-in-situ Keratomileusis)
In this procedure suction is used on the eye to make it very hard, an instrument is used to make a flap, then the Excimer laser is used in the periphery of the cornea to steepen it and finally the flap is replaced. There have been some serious complications during LASIK surgery, mostly associated with the flap (both before and after laser treatment), and it is not uncommon for patients to lose two or more lines of best corrected vision. Many cases of high myopes are also reporting a significant decrease in night vision.
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Are You A Refractive IOL Candidate? |
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Your first step toward good vision with unaided eyes is to schedule a free, no-obligation eye examination with Dr. Fitterman. In general, the following factors determine whether or not Refractive IOL correction will work for you:
- You are at least 20 years old
- Your anterior chamber depth is not less than 2.8 mm
- Your vision problem is high myopia (over -9.5 diopters) or hyperopia
- You refraction has been stable for two years
- You have no ocular inflammation of the anterior or posterior segments
- You have no ocular conditions such as corneal, retinal, vitreal or iris disease
- You do not have monocular vision
- You do not have cataracts
- You have no ocular abnormalities, i.e. Diabetes
If all or most of the following statements are true for you, then you probably will be happy with the results of this procedure:
1. If Refractive IOL correction can free me from the hassles of contact lenses or glasses, and improves my quality of life, it is worth the investment.
2. I would like natural, normal vision 24 hours a day without glasses or contacts.
3. My dependence on glasses and/or contacts feels like a handicap.
4. I worry that if a crisis arises when I am not wearing my lenses, I will not be able to help myself or others.
5. I don't tolerate contact lenses very well.
6. I am an avid sports person and freeing myself from corrective lenses will improve my performance.
7. My career opportunities will improve if I do not have to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision.
8. I like the way I look better without glasses.
Dr. Fitterman can help you develop a full understanding of your refractive problem so that you can make an informed decision about proceeding with this procedure. Ultimately, though, the decision to have Refractive IOL correction is yours. Only you know what the impact of wearing glasses and/or contact lenses has had on the quality of your life.
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