There is always some degree of risk associated with any surgery and refractive procedures are no different. Corneal refractive surgery and the implantation of phakic IOLs have both individual and shared features and risks. For example, LASIK and PRK share complications like dry eyes, but only LASIK has the risk of corneal flap complication. Similarly, Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens) and the Verisyse phakic intraocular lens are each implanted into the eye, but each has a different lens placement. Below, the similarities and differences of refractive procedures are outline.
All refractive procedures are designed to improve some degree of refractive error, which may include nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. In addition to sharing the common goal of improvement of vision, the procedures also share possible risks.
Both LASIK and PRK are laser eye surgeries used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. Because of the similarity between the procedures, PRK and LASIK share additional possible complications.
In addition to the shared risks listed above, there are other possible PRK complications.
Because PRK surgery requires that the outer layer of the cornea be removed prior to the procedure, there is an increased healing time for the eye. The recovery during the first few days after surgery may be more painful than LASIK recovery, due to the removal of the epithelial cells.
Additional PRK complications include an increased sensitivity to light and the development of corneal haze. Corneal haze is a gray-white opacity that develops where the cornea was reshaped. In most cases, the haze will disappear within nine months; however, some occurrences of corneal haze do not disappear.
Although LASIK has a quicker recovery time than PRK, it has additional complications also. Unfortunately, LASIK complications like corneal flap errors, diffuse lamellar keratitis, and ectasia can be quite serious and may be difficult to correct.
There are several LASIK complications involving the corneal flap, including an incorrectly cut flap, failure of the flap to adhere correctly, and a wrinkle developing in the flap. These flap-related LASIK complications can cause irregular astigmatism leading to distorted vision. These LASIK complications can occur in both traditional LASIK and INTRALASE® procedures, although studies show a lower occurrence of flap complications when LASIK is performed with the INTRALASE laser.
Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is a serious possible LASIK complications. DLK, which can occur in both traditional and INTRALASE procedures, involves cells getting under the corneal flap. As a reaction to the foreign material, the eye becomes inflamed and begins to scar. Without prompt treatment, DLK can cause permanent vision loss.
Probably the most serious LASIK complication, corneal ectasia is the progressive thinning of the cornea that may lead to the need for a corneal transplant. Although rare, as the length of time since LASIK was first introduced grows, there is an increase in the number of LASIK patients who have developed ectasia. New patient criteria may curb some ectasia occurrences by screening out people now deemed inappropriate for LASIK surgery. Ectasia is primarily a LASIK complication, however, in rare occasions, it may also occur with PRK.
The Visian ICL and the Verisyse P-IOL are each a phakic intraocular lens approved by the FDA for myopia correction. View the potential risks and complications of the phakic IOLs.
Although the Visian ICL and the Verisyse phakic intraocular lens share some characteristics, there are several notable distinctions between the lenses. These differences include:
To learn more about phakic IOL, PRK, and LASIK complications (including dry eyes, overcorrection, and undercorrection) or for a more in-depth comparison between Verisyse phakic intraocular lens and the Visian ICL, meet with an experienced myopia eye doctor or contact STAAR Surgical Company today.
For more information on the benefits of the Visian ICL compared to the Verisyse phakic intraocular lens and corneal refractive surgery, contact STAAR Surgical Company.
When researching Visian ICL, you may encounter unfamiliar terminology related to this and other products and procedures. For your convenience, the Visian ICL Glossary defines many of the ophthalmic terms used throughout this website.