The refractive error of the eye is very carefully measured along with the dimensions of the eye. With this information, a bespoke lens is calculated for the eye and is implanted inside the eye. The Visian ICL ™ sits behind the iris just in front of the natural crystalline lens. The Artiflex ™ phakic IOL is fixed onto the front of the iris. Since this is an additive procedure the ability to focus for near with the natural lens inside the young eye is preserved. The lens can be implanted under a local anaesthetic or a general anaesthetic if preferred.

Laser eye surgery is our ‘go-to’ treatment for younger patients. However, for larger prescriptions or in patients with thinner corneas, phakic IOL implantation may be more suitable.

In older patients with signs of cataract, lens replacement cataract surgery is usually a better option.

ICL’s are small, ultra-thin contact lenses that are implanted into the eye to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. The ICL sits behind the coloured part of your eye and in front of your natural lens. Once implanted, the lens remains in your eye until you develop a cataract. Short sighted people develop cataract at a younger age – typically in their fifties.

The lens is not visible during normal social situations. If the light is shining straight into your face and someone looking at you comes very close then, they may see the lens if they have very good vision themselves.

The surgery to implant the lens usually takes about twenty minutes. It is usual to perform the surgery under a local anaesthetic with mild sedation, but we can arrange for a general anaesthetic if required.

You will be asked to use anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and topical lubricant drops for two to three months after surgery.

We ask you not to wear eye make-up for one week after surgery and to avoid tap/shower water going into the eye for one week after surgery.

No swimming for six weeks post-operatively.

Details of the most important specific complications are given below. Each complication is listed along with how often the complication occurs eg 1 in every 100 cases performed. As you can see the complications which occur quite commonly are mild and easily treated. The complications which can cause reduced vision, are thankfully very rare:

Artiflex ™ lenses are small, ultra-thin contact lenses that are implanted into the eye to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and/or astigmatism. An Artiflex ™ lens is attached to the iris with two tiny clips. Once implanted, the lens remains in your eye until you develop a cataract. Short sighted people develop cataract at a younger age – typically in their fifties.

The lens is not visible during normal social situations. If light is shining straight into your face and someone looking at you comes very close then they may see the lens if they have very good vision themselves.

The surgery to implant the lens usually takes about twenty minutes. It is usual to perform the surgery under a local anaesthetic but we can arrange for a general anaesthetic if required.

You will be asked to use anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and topical lubricant drops for two to three months after surgery.

We ask you not to wear eye make-up for one week after surgery and to avoid tap/shower water going into the eye for one week after surgery. We will also ask you not to swim for six weeks post-operatively.

Details of the most important specific complications are given below. Each complication is listed along with how often the complication occurs in about 1 in every 100 cases performed. As you can see the complications which occur quite commonly are mild and easily treated. The complications which can cause reduced vision, are thankfully very rare: