Implantable contact lens
Discussion
I’m not suitable for laser surgery, although I’ve been approved for this pending an upcoming consultation.
I hate wearing glasses to the point I only wear them at home, rest of the time I wear contacts, not without issues though as my astigmatism is such that the lens doesn’t sit consistently on my eye so I have frequent focusing issues.
Has anyone had implantable contact lenses?, they appear successful on various websites however I’d like to hear from
those who have actually had this done
I hate wearing glasses to the point I only wear them at home, rest of the time I wear contacts, not without issues though as my astigmatism is such that the lens doesn’t sit consistently on my eye so I have frequent focusing issues.
Has anyone had implantable contact lenses?, they appear successful on various websites however I’d like to hear from
those who have actually had this done
I’ve not heard of implantable contact lenses (I wear contact lenses). Like you I’m not suitable for laser surgery and have astigmatism. I’ve accepted I’ll have to wear lenses and glasses but I see your point.
The Optimax websites describes them as “a flexible lens that is positioned in your eye between the iris (coloured part of the eye) and your natural lens.”.
In the past I’ve thought “wouldn’t a cataracts operation be the solution, they replace the lens and it’s a proven procedure”. I dropped the idea when I thought “if it’s that simple why do people have laser surgery”.
I saw my optician a few months ago and he said “You could have a cataracts operation. You would have to have this done privately as the NHS won’t because you don’t have a clinical need” (which I agree with).
He’s a great bloke but would have spent ages explaining all the questions I’d have (which is partly why I think he’s a great bloke). I was in a rush and thought I’d ask him next time.
Perhaps someone can explain why a cataracts operation wouldn’t answer the above and your OP.
The Optimax websites describes them as “a flexible lens that is positioned in your eye between the iris (coloured part of the eye) and your natural lens.”.
In the past I’ve thought “wouldn’t a cataracts operation be the solution, they replace the lens and it’s a proven procedure”. I dropped the idea when I thought “if it’s that simple why do people have laser surgery”.
I saw my optician a few months ago and he said “You could have a cataracts operation. You would have to have this done privately as the NHS won’t because you don’t have a clinical need” (which I agree with).
He’s a great bloke but would have spent ages explaining all the questions I’d have (which is partly why I think he’s a great bloke). I was in a rush and thought I’d ask him next time.
Perhaps someone can explain why a cataracts operation wouldn’t answer the above and your OP.
Edited by CCCS on Wednesday 22 June 18:24
I had cataracts surgery done privately at age 46 in both eyes. (I did have cataracts too).
Easy 15 minute procedure done with local. Less complications than my wife's laser surgery. Pin sharp vision (for distance). Great decision.
I still wear specs for close up work. But I was -8.0 in both eyes and had worn glasses/contacts for 40 years.
Easy 15 minute procedure done with local. Less complications than my wife's laser surgery. Pin sharp vision (for distance). Great decision.
I still wear specs for close up work. But I was -8.0 in both eyes and had worn glasses/contacts for 40 years.
I had a lens implant around 10 years ago.
I only have one eye (the left was removed after I was attacked)
Prior to that I was very short sighted.
I was in and out of Moorfields regularly and one of the doctors said I could have an implant, I didn’t know such things were available. He said I should have either a short sighted or long sighted one and I went for the short so it’s a fixed focal length and I still need glasses for reading but anything distance my eye (singular) is fantastic.
I’ve also had cataract surgery, a detached retina and laser surgery-endless really. I think maybe having just one eye puts pressure on the remaining one.
Anyway. The implant was a success. Like a miracle really and it’s great to wear and buy sunglasses off the shelf.
No pain but of course it’s a bit unnerving.
All the best.
I only have one eye (the left was removed after I was attacked)
Prior to that I was very short sighted.
I was in and out of Moorfields regularly and one of the doctors said I could have an implant, I didn’t know such things were available. He said I should have either a short sighted or long sighted one and I went for the short so it’s a fixed focal length and I still need glasses for reading but anything distance my eye (singular) is fantastic.
I’ve also had cataract surgery, a detached retina and laser surgery-endless really. I think maybe having just one eye puts pressure on the remaining one.
Anyway. The implant was a success. Like a miracle really and it’s great to wear and buy sunglasses off the shelf.
No pain but of course it’s a bit unnerving.
All the best.
You can have 'cataract' surgery when you're young but it's called clear lens exchange as there is no cataract. A cataract is when your natural lens has become cloudy. So if no cataract and you have a refractive error, you can remove your natural lens and place an artificial one in its place. The downside if you're young is you will lose your accomodation (your ability to change focus for nearer tasks). So you would need reading glasses even if you're young (if standard monofocal lens used).
The implantable contact lens leaves your natural lens in place, so that can still accommodate. So if they put the distance correction in the extra lens you can hopefully still read ok.
Less long term data than cataract surgery. Likely the risk profile slightly higher and the lens can chafe and cause pigment release which can cause glaucoma. Sometimes the lens is placed further forward which can affect the cornea. Also as with all intraocular surgery there is always the risk of a really nasty in-eye infection (endophthalmitis) which can cause complete loss of vision.
Personally if glasses are an option I'd never dabble in any intraocular surgery but everyone's different!
Edit to add, sometimes when a cataract operation has a complication (the natural bag holding the lens is damaged), the lens is placed further forward. This is the less desirable solution because of the slightly higher risks, and this is the modus operandi of the implantable contact lens.
The implantable contact lens leaves your natural lens in place, so that can still accommodate. So if they put the distance correction in the extra lens you can hopefully still read ok.
Less long term data than cataract surgery. Likely the risk profile slightly higher and the lens can chafe and cause pigment release which can cause glaucoma. Sometimes the lens is placed further forward which can affect the cornea. Also as with all intraocular surgery there is always the risk of a really nasty in-eye infection (endophthalmitis) which can cause complete loss of vision.
Personally if glasses are an option I'd never dabble in any intraocular surgery but everyone's different!
Edit to add, sometimes when a cataract operation has a complication (the natural bag holding the lens is damaged), the lens is placed further forward. This is the less desirable solution because of the slightly higher risks, and this is the modus operandi of the implantable contact lens.
Edited by redhotsheep on Thursday 23 June 09:21
I have amblyopia, the vision in one of my eyes is extremely bad so I depend on my good eye, which leaves me very nervous to complications.
According to the optimax website
“ Following treatment, you must attend a cell count appointment once a year, at a cost of £50 per appointment. This is essential in order to check your eye health and lens compatibility.”
Will these appointments detect the risks you mentioned before damage occurs or can they develop and damage in small time frames?
I’m sure prolonged use of contact lenses carries its own set of risks, my sister used to wear them however she had a complication and now isn’t able to, obviously I’d rather glasses than be blind although as previously stated, I depend on my contacts daily so I’d love to be able to have this procedure
According to the optimax website
“ Following treatment, you must attend a cell count appointment once a year, at a cost of £50 per appointment. This is essential in order to check your eye health and lens compatibility.”
Will these appointments detect the risks you mentioned before damage occurs or can they develop and damage in small time frames?
I’m sure prolonged use of contact lenses carries its own set of risks, my sister used to wear them however she had a complication and now isn’t able to, obviously I’d rather glasses than be blind although as previously stated, I depend on my contacts daily so I’d love to be able to have this procedure
usn90 said:
I have amblyopia, the vision in one of my eyes is extremely bad so I depend on my good eye, which leaves me very nervous to complications.
According to the optimax website
“ Following treatment, you must attend a cell count appointment once a year, at a cost of £50 per appointment. This is essential in order to check your eye health and lens compatibility.”
Will these appointments detect the risks you mentioned before damage occurs or can they develop and damage in small time frames?
I’m sure prolonged use of contact lenses carries its own set of risks, my sister used to wear them however she had a complication and now isn’t able to, obviously I’d rather glasses than be blind although as previously stated, I depend on my contacts daily so I’d love to be able to have this procedure
I would have thought those appointments check mainly for eye pressure and your endothelial health. If they're annual they should probably be able to pick up small changes. Usually glaucoma would not cause any big changes in a year. If it causes glaucoma long term drops may help but who knows if they'd want to move / remove the lens. And if they see your corneal cell count decreasing there isn't much to do apart from think about removal. This would also make cataract surgery down the line harder. And these kind of implants can increase the rate of cataract formation. According to the optimax website
“ Following treatment, you must attend a cell count appointment once a year, at a cost of £50 per appointment. This is essential in order to check your eye health and lens compatibility.”
Will these appointments detect the risks you mentioned before damage occurs or can they develop and damage in small time frames?
I’m sure prolonged use of contact lenses carries its own set of risks, my sister used to wear them however she had a complication and now isn’t able to, obviously I’d rather glasses than be blind although as previously stated, I depend on my contacts daily so I’d love to be able to have this procedure
Yes of course contacts also carry risk.
Just be cautious. Especially as you're amblyopic in the other eye. There is no chance I'd have elective surgery on my only eye if glasses gave me good vision. Of course from a patient point of view you either do well or you don't and the odds are well in your favour of doing well. But if you were one of the unlucky few (with shorter term endophthalmitis) or longer term complications that were difficult to treat (again unlikely), would you have felt comfortable that you could have justified the risk? Very personal choice.
At the appointment I'd ask them how long they have been doing this, and therefore what the longest followed up patients they have are. And what proportion of those have had long term complications and how they have been managed.
Edited by redhotsheep on Thursday 23 June 10:56
Arnold Cunningham said:
Interesting - so the lens that gets put in in a cataract op doesn't adjust like a natural lens?
My mother and my inlaws have all had it done for their cataracts - but I hadn't appreciated (paid attention, probably) that they still use glasses for close up stuff.
Not usually. Vast majority are monofocal, which is one power. We can choose what power this is ie best for distance or close but it can't change. My mother and my inlaws have all had it done for their cataracts - but I hadn't appreciated (paid attention, probably) that they still use glasses for close up stuff.
Multifocals can be used which can help for more than one distance but they have their own compromises and won't be as optically good at either distance. These are not routinely used in the NHS but are available in the private sector. (If I was having cataract surgery I'd choose monofocal)
redhotsheep said:
I would have thought those appointments check mainly for eye pressure and your endothelial health. If they're annual they should probably be able to pick up small changes. Usually glaucoma would not cause any big changes in a year. If it causes glaucoma long term drops may help but who knows if they'd want to move / remove the lens. And if they see your corneal cell count decreasing there isn't much to do apart from think about removal. This would also make cataract surgery down the line harder. And these kind of implants can increase the rate of cataract formation.
Yes of course contacts also carry risk.
Just be cautious. Especially as you're amblyopic in the other eye. There is no chance I'd have elective surgery on my only eye if glasses gave me good vision. Of course from a patient point of view you either do well or you don't and the odds are well in your favour of doing well. But if you were one of the unlucky few (with shorter term endophthalmitis) or longer term complications that were difficult to treat (again unlikely), would you have felt comfortable that you could have justified the risk? Very personal choice.
At the appointment I'd ask them how long they have been doing this, and therefore what the longest followed up patients they have are. And what proportion of those have had long term complications and how they have been managed.
Thanks.Yes of course contacts also carry risk.
Just be cautious. Especially as you're amblyopic in the other eye. There is no chance I'd have elective surgery on my only eye if glasses gave me good vision. Of course from a patient point of view you either do well or you don't and the odds are well in your favour of doing well. But if you were one of the unlucky few (with shorter term endophthalmitis) or longer term complications that were difficult to treat (again unlikely), would you have felt comfortable that you could have justified the risk? Very personal choice.
At the appointment I'd ask them how long they have been doing this, and therefore what the longest followed up patients they have are. And what proportion of those have had long term complications and how they have been managed.
Edited by redhotsheep on Thursday 23 June 10:56
If I had an easy time with Contacts it would be less of an issue, however I’ve tried lots of different lenses over the years and none have been perfect, my main issues whilst using is the lens moving around my eye and losing focus, with 2 good eyes this would be less of an issue but since I only have the one good eye it’s frustrating.
On top of that are the less important but daily struggles that come with lenses, I hate everything about wearing glasses from how they make me feel mentally and physically on my face.
Will see what they say at the consultation and go from
There, my understanding was they are removable so any issues they can be removed and I go back to square one with glasses and normal contact lenses.
redhotsheep said:
Not usually. Vast majority are monofocal, which is one power. We can choose what power this is ie best for distance or close but it can't change.
Multifocals can be used which can help for more than one distance but they have their own compromises and won't be as optically good at either distance. These are not routinely used in the NHS but are available in the private sector. (If I was having cataract surgery I'd choose monofocal)
Thanks. Certainly my mother in law had terrible sight all her life - and I know the lenses have largely corrected that so she can see pretty well without glasses now. I'll pay attention and see if she still uses glasses for close up stuff - I am sure she must. Or just doesn't look at things nearby maybe, I dunno. Multifocals can be used which can help for more than one distance but they have their own compromises and won't be as optically good at either distance. These are not routinely used in the NHS but are available in the private sector. (If I was having cataract surgery I'd choose monofocal)
I was following this thread since as a kid I had excellent vision, but years of staring at computer screens meant I have ended up a bit short sighted. On top of that, I'm 47, so I now feel like I'm both a bit short and long sighted, if you know what I mean. Long sighted with my glasses on, short sighted without. Was wondering what the best options could be - looks like we're still saying a bit of laser surgery is the best all round option in most cases?
I had cataract surgery recently and was offered the option of corrective lenses if I was willing to pay the uplift (cataracts were covered by medical insurance). I went for the varifocal ones as that's what I had in my glasses and I got on with them ok. Other than having to go go back for another vitrectomy, they have been fine. The only slight issue is the series of rings used to produce the varifocal lens can cause a halo effect around bright lights at night. It's not really a problem though and on my recent trip to Le Mans I tried a pair of polarised yellow tinted glasses and they seemed to help quite a lot.
mike9009 said:
I had cataracts surgery done privately at age 46 in both eyes. (I did have cataracts too).
Easy 15 minute procedure done with local. Less complications than my wife's laser surgery. Pin sharp vision (for distance). Great decision.
I still wear specs for close up work. But I was -8.0 in both eyes and had worn glasses/contacts for 40 years.
after the op how long were you 'blind' for? were they on both eyes at the same time?Easy 15 minute procedure done with local. Less complications than my wife's laser surgery. Pin sharp vision (for distance). Great decision.
I still wear specs for close up work. But I was -8.0 in both eyes and had worn glasses/contacts for 40 years.
I had this done at the start of 2020. My eyes were too high a prescription to go down the Lasik/Lasek route.
The procedure was done a Moorfields, which I found fantastic, along with the aftercare. 1 week apart, no pain, and recovery was less than a week both times. I was WFH the day after both times.
The only real downside I saw was the cost over laser equivalents. My eyesight is spot on 2 years on, with no side effects.
I’d been wearing contact lenses from the age of 13, and would have had to for the rest of my life - my view was that the risk of picking up an infection at some point was going to be higher than the one off ICL surgery. I recently knew of someone who picked up a parasite behind a contact lens whilst swimming in the sea which ended up in them permanently losing their eyesight in one eye.
The procedure was done a Moorfields, which I found fantastic, along with the aftercare. 1 week apart, no pain, and recovery was less than a week both times. I was WFH the day after both times.
The only real downside I saw was the cost over laser equivalents. My eyesight is spot on 2 years on, with no side effects.
I’d been wearing contact lenses from the age of 13, and would have had to for the rest of my life - my view was that the risk of picking up an infection at some point was going to be higher than the one off ICL surgery. I recently knew of someone who picked up a parasite behind a contact lens whilst swimming in the sea which ended up in them permanently losing their eyesight in one eye.
NickXX said:
I had this done at the start of 2020. My eyes were too high a prescription to go down the Lasik/Lasek route.
The procedure was done a Moorfields, which I found fantastic, along with the aftercare. 1 week apart, no pain, and recovery was less than a week both times. I was WFH the day after both times.
The only real downside I saw was the cost over laser equivalents. My eyesight is spot on 2 years on, with no side effects.
I’d been wearing contact lenses from the age of 13, and would have had to for the rest of my life - my view was that the risk of picking up an infection at some point was going to be higher than the one off ICL surgery. I recently knew of someone who picked up a parasite behind a contact lens whilst swimming in the sea which ended up in them permanently losing their eyesight in one eye.
I have the same thoughts.The procedure was done a Moorfields, which I found fantastic, along with the aftercare. 1 week apart, no pain, and recovery was less than a week both times. I was WFH the day after both times.
The only real downside I saw was the cost over laser equivalents. My eyesight is spot on 2 years on, with no side effects.
I’d been wearing contact lenses from the age of 13, and would have had to for the rest of my life - my view was that the risk of picking up an infection at some point was going to be higher than the one off ICL surgery. I recently knew of someone who picked up a parasite behind a contact lens whilst swimming in the sea which ended up in them permanently losing their eyesight in one eye.
Regarding recovery time, how long until you was able to drive?
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