Anterior and posterior chamber phakic lenses – the only reversible method of correcting vision defects

Phakic lenses, called “inner contact lenses” or “implantable contact lenses,” are implanted in the patient’s eye in addition to the eye’s natural lens. This means that the natural lens is not removed.

An important differentiating factor is whether the phakic lens is in front of or behind the iris. Accordingly, a distinction is made between anterior chamber phakic lenses and posterior chamber phakic lenses.

Artisan and Artiflex anterior chamber lenses are implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye and fixated/attached to the iris (between the cornea and iris).

Artisan lenses (available in powers of -3 to -23.5 diopters) are constructed of a rigid material called PMMA, while Artiflex (in powers of -3 to – 14.5 diopters) are made of retractable silicone. The retractable lens can be implanted into the eye through a smaller incision, so healing of the surgical wound and vision rehabilitation take place very quickly.

EVO + Visian ICL ™ posterior chamber lenses made of Collamer® – a biocompatible material created from collagen that is very well tolerated by the eye – do not need to be fixed. They are simply inserted into the posterior chamber – they are implanted behind the iris, into the patient’s own lens bag.

The big advantage of rear chamber lenses is that they are not visible to other people. The invisible rear chamber is made

Both types of phakic lenses can be removed and replaced if the need arises, e.g., the visual defect will enlarge, which is why we say that phakic lenses are the only reversible method of correcting visual defects.

If, on the other hand, it becomes necessary to operate on cataracts or correct presbyopia, the phakic lens is “removed,” the own lens is removed as in a standard procedure, and a new artificial lens (other than the phakic lens) is implanted in its place.

Who qualifies for phakic lens implantation surgery

People between the ages of 18 and about 45 with stable visual impairment in the following ranges are eligible for phakic lens implantation surgery: nearsightedness to more than -20 diopters and farsightedness to + 10 diopters, and astigmatism to 6 cylindrical diopters.

Why the limit of about 45 years of age? Because the natural lens is preserved during phakic lens implantation, the accommodative abilities of the eye are also preserved. But after forty, just around the age of 45, there is a progressive stiffening of the natural lens, which leads to a weakening of the eye’s accommodative ability (presbyopia).

Depending on whether presbyopia (also known as presbyopia) is the only dysfunction of the eye or is accompanied by vision defects, different methods of correction are considered for the patient:

• without any other vision defect – /Femto-LASIK/Monovision PresbyMAX/ lens replacement
• hyperopia/myopia +3 to -5 Femto-LASIK/Monovision PresbyMAX/LASIK inpresbyopia
• all vision defects – lens replacement with monofocal or multifocal implants and EDOF

Is phakic lens implantation associated with complications?

The most common complication after phakic lens implantation may be that the natural and phakic lenses are too close. There may then be a risk of cataract development and the implanted lens must be removed. An extremely rare complication after phakic lens implantation can be a glaucoma attack.