Herzig Eye Institute

Other Vision Correction Options

A small number of people have refractive errors that are too large or eye conditions that are not appropriate for laser vision correction. In these situations, the Herzig Eye Institute is able to offer four options: do nothing at all; refractive lens exchange; Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL) insertion or NearVision(sm) CK^®

Refractive Lens Exchange
(RLE)

For patients with very high levels of nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), and for people who have early lens opacities. People in their middle years may appreciate the dual advantage of a refractive lens exchange: not only will it correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, but it also prevents any future need for cataract surgery.

Unlike laser vision correction, which alters the shape of the cornea, refractive lens exchange changes the focusing power of the lens within the eye. During refractive lens exchange, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced by a lens implant, which has been selected to compensate for the eye's refractive problems. In effect, the lens implant acts like a permanent lens within the eye, with newer lens designs offering both distance and reading vision.

The Procedure

The refractive lens exchange is the same procedure as modern cataract surgery, the most common surgical procedure in North America. In the first part of the procedure, surgeons remove the defective natural lens.Then, a prescription lens implant is inserted into the same space.

Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL)

Intraocular Collamer Lenses are another option available for patients with high levels of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism that are too extreme for laser vision correction, and for whom laser vision correction on the cornea is not safe.

The Procedure

The Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL) is a very thin intraocular lens designed to rest in front of the eye's natural lens, just behind the iris. Before inserting the lens, the eye is made numb using anesthetic eye drops, and there is very little discomfort associated with the procedure. The surgery typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to perform, with only one eye being treated at a time. The second eye is usually treated several days after the first eye.

If either one of these procedures is more appropriate for you, it will be discussed with you in detail during your complimentary examination and consultation.