Phakic Intraocular Lens (ICL) Surgery

Phakic intraocular lens surgery is a surgical procedure performed to eliminate the problems of myopia, astigmatism and hypermetropia. A phakic intraocular lens is placed in the eye without interfering with the eye's existing natural lens. This operation is performed on people whose eye degrees are too advanced to be corrected with excimer laser and who do not have a suitable corneal thickness for laser treatment.

What is Phakic Intraocular Lens (ICL) Surgery?

In phakic intraocular lens surgery, the patient's myopia problem is eliminated through an artificial lens permanently placed in the eye. The word "phakic" means "with a lens". When we say "lens" here, we mean the natural lens inside our eye. In other words, with this operation, a second lens is placed inside the eye without touching the lens that is naturally present in our eye.

When is Phakic Intraocular Lens Surgery Performed?

Eye degrees between -5.00 and -20.00 degrees can be corrected with this operation.

Eye defects up to -10 degrees can be corrected with LASIK, PRK or Smile laser surgery. Laser correction above these levels carries some risks. It should be emphasized here that -10 degrees is not valid for everyone.

Who Is Phakic Intraocular Lens Surgery Not Suitable For?

Eligible patients should be above 21 and below 45 years of age.

The operation can be performed in patients with myopia between -4.0 and -18.0 degrees, hypermetropia between +2.0 and +8.0 degrees and astigmatism of 4.0 degrees.

Patients should not have any eye defects other than myopia, astigmatism and hypermetropia. This surgery cannot be performed if the patient has glaucoma, cataracts or retinal diseases.

The eyeglasses rate has changed more than 0.50 in the last year;

Pregnant or breastfeeding;

This operation is not suitable for patients with intraocular infection and inflammation.

What Are the Advantages of Phakic Intraocular Lens Surgery?

The advantages of phakic intraocular lens surgery include a wide range of treatments, the possibility of removal in cases where adequate vision is not guaranteed, and an alternative treatment method. Excimer can be used to treat myopia, astigmatism, and hypermetropia that cannot be corrected with the laser.

How Is Phakic Intraocular Lens Surgery Performed?

Phakic intraocular lens surgery is performed in both eyes one week apart. It is not possible to intervene in both eyes with a single operation.

Intraocular phakic lenses to be used in surgery are specially prepared individually.

The operation is performed with local anesthesia. During the operation, the eye is numbed and a lens is inserted through millimeter incisions. No stitches are used.

A phakic intraocular lens is placed over or behind the existing iris tissue.

The operation takes 10 minutes and the patient's vision improves after the operation.

Then antibiotic drops are prescribed to the patient.

What to Consider After Phakic Intraocular Lens Surgery?

After phakic contact lens surgery, the patient is discharged home the same day. If there is no corneal edema, the patient may have normal vision 1 day after surgery. Drops prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly for 1 week.

Routine examinations should be scheduled on the 1st day, 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month after surgery. The doctor can change this frequency according to the situation.