Do you have a very high refractive error, struggle with astigmatism, or has your doctor told you that your cornea is too thin for laser? If you thought that was the end and you were stuck with glasses – we have groundbreaking news! Meet phakic lenses. This is not cataract surgery where the natural lens is removed. Think of them as an ultra-intelligent, reversible add-on to your eye that gives you perfect visual clarity even with the highest refractive errors. Wondering how it actually works and why it’s safer? We’ll explain everything!
What will you learn from the text below?
- How do phakic lenses differ from traditional intraocular lenses? They differ in that they are add-on lenses, meaning your natural lens stays where it was, and thanks to that you can still accommodate normally – see sharply at different distances.
- For whom is this method intended if excimer laser is not an option? It’s a chance for people between 21 and 60 years of age (with stable refraction from age 18) with stable but very high myopia (even above −20 diopters) or hyperopia.
- Why do surgeons call phakic lenses the only reversible vision correction method? Because these lenses, uniquely, can be safely removed or replaced at any time if, for example, your refraction changes in a few years.
- How quickly will I return to full life after such a procedure? Although the procedure itself is very quick (15–20 minutes) and initial healing takes about a week, you will achieve full, stable visual acuity after approximately 4 weeks.
- What are the main advantages of modern posterior chamber lenses? These lenses, made from innovative Collamer®, are completely invisible and undetectable, and we implant them through a micro-incision without the need for sutures.
1. Phakic Lenses: A Solution for Refractive Errors Not Correctable by Laser
For years you thought your refractive error was “incurable”? Time to change that thinking!
Add-on, not replacement: The secret to preserving natural accommodation
Doctors often call them “internal contact lenses.” Why do we use the word “add-on”? Because it’s literally an addition! Your natural lens remains in the eye – and that’s key! Thanks to this, it retains its accommodative abilities, that magical power that allows you to see sharply near and far, simultaneously.
The only reversible method: Why does safety mean the ability to reverse?
Let’s think: is there anything safer than a surgery that can be reversed? That’s exactly why phakic lenses are the only reversible method of correcting refractive error! If in 10 years your refraction changes (or, say, you decide to have cataract surgery), we simply remove or replace the phakic lens. This gives tremendous peace of mind and flexibility in planning the future.
2. Who Are Phakic Lenses For? Qualification Criteria
These lenses come into play when other options fail, but here too we have strict rules.
Age and stability of refraction: Who can and who cannot benefit from this method?
For this procedure to work perfectly, we must stick to the framework. ICL lenses are approved for people between 21 and 60 years of age (with stable refraction from age 18), but they deliver the most before age 45. Why? Because at that age your natural lens is in its best form. Of course, you must also have a stable refractive error.
Range of refractive errors: When excimer laser is not enough
Phakic lenses are absolute champions when it comes to “difficult cases.” We’re talking about errors of:
- Myopia: even above −20 diopters.
- Hyperopia: up to +10 diopters.
- Astigmatism: up to 6 cylindrical diopters.
And what’s best? This solution is extremely safe even if you have thin corneas that disqualify you from laser correction.
3. Types and Materials: Posterior Chamber vs. Anterior Chamber
Let’s look inside! Modern surgery offers two main locations for lenses.
Artisan and Artiflex Lenses: Fixation in the anterior chamber of the eye
Think of them as the classics of the genre. These are anterior chamber lenses (e.g., Artisan made of rigid PMMA or Artiflex made of foldable silicone). They are fixed between the cornea and the iris. They are solid and have been proven for years.
EVO + Visian ICL™: The latest Collamer® technology (behind the iris)
This is the crème de la crème. EVO + Visian ICL™ are posterior chamber lenses, and we consider them a modern technical achievement. Why? They are made of Collamer® – a collagen-based material that is so biocompatible that your eye simply loves it.
Statement by Dr. Victor Derhartunian:
*”For us surgeons, Collamer® is a revolution. The posterior chamber lenses we make from it require no fixation – we gently insert them into the posterior chamber, behind the iris. This is super safe and minimally invasive! What’s more, because they are foldable, the entire implantation is done through a micro-incision (only 2.8 mm) that doesn’t even require sutures.”*
4. Safety and Recovery: The Practice of the Procedure
Ready for a life-changing experience? It will take you less time than you think!
Short and painless procedure: High safety even with thin corneas
The surgery itself takes only 15–20 minutes. That’s really fast! The procedure is painless, and the risk is minimal. Afterward, we protect your eye with a bandage, which we remove the very next day.
Case Study: Magda L.
Magda L. (28 years old, −15 D) was thrilled: “I waited for this for years, and the procedure was shorter than waiting for coffee! I only felt slight pressure. The next morning I removed the bandage and saw the world sharp and clear. The full clarity I dreamed of appeared incredibly quickly.“
Return to form: A week of healing and full acuity after 4 weeks
Your eye needs only about a week for initial healing. And when will you see maximum acuity? Although improvement is immediate, full stabilization and that highest quality of vision will be achieved after approximately 4 weeks.
Comfort and protection: Undetectable lenses with UV filters
These are your new superpowers! Phakic lenses are completely invisible from the outside (no one will guess!) and, most importantly, undetectable to you. We’ve built in UV filters, so they additionally protect your eyes from harmful radiation.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I switch phakic lenses for laser correction in the future?
Yes! That’s the magic of reversibility. We can remove them, and if your eye meets the conditions – you can undergo laser correction.
2. What are the main differences between EVO ICL™ and anterior chamber lenses?
The most important difference is safety. ICL are made of biocompatible Collamer® and we place them deeper (behind the iris), which is simply gentler on the cornea and eye structure.
3. Can I see my phakic lenses in the mirror?
No. They are transparent and placed inside the eyeball. There’s no chance you’ll see them, nor will anyone else notice them.
4. After phakic lens implantation, will I still need to use reading glasses in later age?
Probably yes. The lenses correct distance refraction. Your natural lens will undergo natural aging over time anyway (presbyopia), so after age 45 you will need reading glasses, just like everyone else.
5. Do phakic lenses protect against cataracts?
No, they have no effect on that process. If a cataract develops in the future, the doctor will simply remove the phakic lens during standard cataract surgery.
Sources
- Packer M. Meta-analysis and review: effectiveness, safety, and central port design of the intraocular collamer lens. Clin Ophthalmol 2016;10:1059–1077. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S111620
Related topics: ICL phakic lenses at SwissLaser
- Phakic ICL Lenses – Compendium: Qualification, Procedure, Price
- Phakic ICL Lenses in Warsaw
- Phakic ICL Lenses in Krakow
- Phakic Lens Price List and Installments
- Laser or Phakic Lens – Comparison
- Qualification for Phakic Lens Implantation
- Anterior and Posterior Chamber Lenses
- Preliminary Online Qualification
The procedure is performed in Warsaw (ul. Kolejowa 1) and Krakow (ul. Kluczborska 15/U3). The price is PLN 11,000 per eye, also for toric versions. Book an appointment or complete the preliminary qualification.
