UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all

Did a search on the forum for this, but didn't turn up anything. I was wondering if anyone had come across these phakic lens implants? Basically a contact lens inserted into the eye to correct myopia and astigmatism. They leave your own lens in and can be 'reversible' a la intacs, but you need to have had Intacs done previously (presumably to make the cornea more regular?) before you can have an implant.

As ever, seems too good to be true, but this opthamologist in London even has them on his treatment path for keratoconus patients, when they become contact lens intolerant, which is basically what's happened to me due to blepharitis.

Here's a link, if you've not heard of it....

http://www.eyesite.org/corneahome.html

click on the keratoconus' tab at the top of th page and the treatment path is a couple of 'page downs' and the lens implants are discussed a bit further on.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Dave
Thanks for this. In our last newsletter (which you will have received if you're on our mailing list) one of our members described her recent experience of this procedure. She had had corneal transplants a long time ago, and the lens implants were done to improve her post graft vision. So I guess it would make sense that it could also be done after Intacs, which also stabilise the vision, if the post Intacs vision is still not good. From what I've read, it wouldn't help others with KC, because any changes in vision would mean that the implanted lens would no longer be the right prescription.
Like all innovations in KC options, I suspect that there are currently only a handful of eye surgeons offering this at the moment. But if it's effective, then hopefully it's something that will be taken up by more professionals and will be another option for some people.
Anne

Hi Dave

Yes phakic implants can be used in many ways in KC. They will be increasingly used as CXL becomes more mainstream, for once your KC is stabilised, it makes sense to correct with a phakic implant if you are CL intolerant. Currently, if you have a high prescription and astigmatism, one can have intacs to regularise the cornea, CXL to stabilise it and then phakic implants to correct the residual prescription.

Even if your KC is still unstable, if you are VERY shortsighted, phakic implants can be a way of getting your vision into the ball park if you have poor tolerance to CLs.

Thanks Anne and Lynn for the info - I used to receive the newsletter, but it may still be going to my old address, as we moved early last year.

I've already got Intacs in my left eye and it's worked reasonably well in terms of making my cornea more regular and reducing the level of astigmatism, but I'm still very short sighted. I don;t currently have Intacs in my right eye, but it's been stable for several years now and, as I'm in my mid 30s, I'd hope that it wouldn't progress much further now.

My consultant mentioned that he was being trained in the procedure last time I saw him, so I may discuss my options with him, as I really can't tolerate CLs any more due to blepharitis. However, he didn't seem keen to pursue it with me, on the grounds that 'you're having enough problems with your corneal surface as it is' - referring to the blepharitis. Do you think this is a major issue, or just that it'll take me a bit longer than someone without bleph to recover from the surgery (which was my experience when I had the Intacs in my left eye)?

A final couple of questions - I really don't fancy having CXL with my bleph the way it is at the moment, so do I HAVE to have CXL prior to having a lens implant, or can I take a risk and go for it without CXL in the knowledge that there may be further deterioration? Also, am I right in understanding that the procedure is reversible/you can have the implant removed and another one put in?

You can see where I'm going with this.....

Of course you can have phakic implants without CXL - it would reduce your myopia a good deal.

However..... how come your blepharitis is so out of control? Its usually not that bad to quieten down?

Hmm I'll pm you as well about this!

Lynn