Phakic Refractive Lens

This procedure is recommended for the correction of high myopia (usually more than 9-10 diopters) and hyperopia (usually more than 6 diopters). It is also appropriate for lower diopters of refractive errors, when other parameters such as low thickness of the cornea do not allow the use of a laser beam for the correction of the eye's refractive error. The intraocular lens is placed in the posterior chamber in front of the natural crystalline lens of the eye without coming into contact with it.

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, its duration is 10-15 minutes for each eye and an average of 3 days of hospitalization is necessary. Usually we have to wait 1-2 days before operating the second eye. After implantation the accomodation and so the near vision is preserved as the crystalline lens remains in place. This method is suitable for patients who are less than 45 years old. In older patients we recommend the replacement of the natural crystalline lens for the correction of the patient's refractive error in order to prevent the development of cataract, that will lead to blurred vision and a second operation (see clear lens extraction).