You know what it’s like to dream of life without those thick lenses? Or the freedom from constantly putting in contact lenses? If you have extremely high refractive error – the kind where doctors turn you away, saying laser isn’t enough – don’t lose hope! At Swisslaser clinics in Warsaw and Krakow, we have a solution you’ll love: phakic lenses. We think of them as tiny “internal glasses” that we implant into the eye. It’s not only effective, but also a fully reversible method of correction. It’s precisely this reversibility that gives you tremendous peace of mind, and gives us confidence that we’re offering you maximum safety. Want to know if this technological marvel is right for you?
What will you learn from the text below?
- How do phakic lenses differ from classic contact lenses? Remember, these aren’t ordinary lenses! We implant them permanently into the eye as an addition to your natural lens, not a replacement for external glasses.
- What refractive errors can phakic lenses correct? If you have a record-breaking error, there’s hope: we correct myopia up to over -20 diopters, hyperopia up to +10 D, and significant astigmatism as well.
- Why is this procedure called “reversible”? It’s simple: at any time we can remove or replace the lens without permanently changing the shape of the cornea. Super safe!
- Who does not qualify for phakic lens implantation? We typically advise against this solution for patients over 45 years of age, in whom natural lens stiffening – presbyopia – is already occurring.
- Are there different types of phakic lenses? Of course! We have those in front (anterior chamber, attached to the iris) and those in back (posterior chamber, which are completely invisible).
Phakic lenses – Reversible method of vision correction
Think of a phakic lens as a tiny, super-precise “internal lens.” We gently implant it into the eye, where it works together with your natural lens, improving visual acuity.
Definition and characteristics of phakic lenses
We treat these little technological marvels as an additional pair of contact lenses, with the difference that you don’t have to put them in or take them out every day!
- What phakic lenses are (Internal/implantable contact lenses): These are special implants that are manufactured entirely from biocompatible materials.
- Location in the eye (Addition to the natural lens): They work in harmony with the natural lens, which minimizes intervention. Thanks to this, your eye retains its ability to accommodate.
- Unique feature: Reversibility of the method: What if technology advances in 10 years? No problem! We can safely remove or replace the phakic lens, restoring the eye to its pre-procedure state. Isn’t that great?
Types of phakic lenses and their placement
The key difference is where in the eye we place the implant. We have two main types that differ in attachment method and material:
- Anterior chamber lenses (Artisan and Artiflex)
- Examples and power: We have Artisan (rigid PMMA) – corrects errors up to -23.5 D, and Artiflex (foldable silicone) – up to -14.5 D.
- Location and attachment (Anterior chamber, iris fixation): We gently attach them to the iris, that is, between the cornea and the colored part of the eye.
- Advantages of the foldable lens: Artiflex allows us to make a smaller incision, which of course means that wound healing is super fast.
- Posterior chamber lenses (EVO + Visian ICL™)
- Example and material (EVO + Visian ICL™, Collamer®): We make them from Collamer® – an innovative collagen-based material that your eye treats almost like its own tissue.
- Location (Behind the iris, in the capsule of the natural lens): We simply gently introduce them behind the iris, into the capsule of your own lens.
- Attachment requirement: They are designed so that we don’t have to attach them!
- Cosmetic advantage: They are completely invisible to others. No one will know your secret!
Qualification for phakic lens implantation
Who can benefit from this breakthrough method? When do we say “yes” to phakic lenses?
- Required patient age (18 to approximately 45 years of age): We’re looking for adults in this age range.
- Condition: Stable refractive error: Essential! Your error must be stable for at least one year.
- Ranges of corrected errors: Lenses are ideal for “extreme” cases, correcting myopia up to over -20 D, hyperopia up to +10 D, and astigmatism up to 6 D cyl.
- Age limit and presbyopia (Preserving the eye’s accommodative abilities): Why do we advise against this after age 45? Because then your natural lens begins to stiffen (presbyopia). Although the phakic lens preserves accommodation, it’s better to consider other options, such as lens replacement, which immediately solves the problem of presbyopia.
Dr. Victor Derhartunian emphasizes: “Phakic lenses are our first line of defense in treating extremely high refractive errors, where laser is risky. Using materials such as Collamer® ensures that the lens is treated by the eye almost like its own tissue. We give patients the assurance that if necessary, we can take a step back. Such reversibility gives us and our patients tremendous peace of mind and safety.”
Procedure in case of necessary intervention
What if another eye disease appears in a few years, or the refractive error changes?
- Removing the phakic lens: If the refractive error increases or for other reasons we need to remove it, we can simply take it out. This way we have a clear path to other interventions.
- Cataract and presbyopia surgery: If a cataract develops (something normal with age), we first remove the phakic lens, and immediately afterward the natural, clouded lens. In its place we implant a new, perfectly matched artificial lens that corrects the cataract and often presbyopia as well! In such situations, if presbyopia is present, we consider methods such as Monovision or Refractive Lens Exchange.
Potential complications
We talk openly about risk. Your safety is paramount, and statistics show that complications are rare.
- Most common risk (Too close distance between natural and phakic lens): It may happen that the implant is located too close to your natural lens.
- Consequences of too close distance (Risk of cataract development): Such proximity may minimally accelerate cataract development. If this happens, we remove the implanted lens, eliminating the problem.
- Other rare risk: Very rarely we note a short-term increase in intraocular pressure (glaucoma attack).
Case study: New life with Visian ICL™
Ms. Karolina (28 years old, Warsaw) struggled with myopia of -15 D. She heard everywhere that laser was out of the question because her cornea was too thin (which often rules out LASIK and Femto-LASIK).
Patient statement: “For years I heard that my refractive error was untreatable. After a consultation at Swisslaser and examinations, I qualified for Visian ICL™ posterior chamber lenses. The procedure itself was quick and painless. Sometimes I touch my eye and forget that I have an implant in it. My eyes are completely natural, and I finally see sharply, without the distortions that my glasses gave me. The feeling that this lens is made of biocompatible material and can be removed if necessary gave me peace and a sense of full control over my vision.”
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Do I feel the presence of the phakic lens in my eye?
Not at all! The lens is placed deep inside the eye and is completely integrated with the structures. Forget the feeling of sand under the eyelid that external lenses give.
Do I need to clean phakic lenses?
Of course not. Because the lens is inside, your eye takes care of it itself, “washing” it with intraocular fluid. No maintenance required!
Does phakic lens implantation exclude me from future procedures?
Quite the opposite! Phakic lenses are reversible and do not interfere with future treatment in any way. If you need cataract surgery, we’ll simply remove the phakic lens and perform the standard procedure.
Do the refractive errors of both eyes have to be in the same range for me to have phakic lenses implanted?
No, we treat each eye individually. If one has -18 D and the other -10 D, we simply implant two different, perfectly matched lenses.
How long does the procedure itself take?
The phakic lens implantation procedure is quick and minimally invasive. It typically takes approximately 15-30 minutes per eye. It is performed under local anesthesia, and the patient returns home almost immediately!
Related topics: ICL phakic lenses at SwissLaser
- ICL phakic lenses – compendium: qualification, procedure, price
- ICL phakic lenses in Warsaw
- ICL phakic lenses in Krakow
- Phakic lens pricing and installments
- Laser or phakic lens – comparison
- Qualification for phakic lens implantation
- Preliminary online qualification
We perform the procedure in Warsaw (1 Kolejowa Street) and in Krakow (15/U3 Kluczborska Street). Price 11,000 PLN per eye, also in toric version. Schedule an appointment or complete the preliminary qualification.
