What are Implantable Contact Lenses?
Implantable contact lenses, also known as Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs), are lenses that are surgically placed inside the eye to correct refractive errors such as short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia), and astigmatism.
Unlike traditional contact lenses that sit on the surface of the eye, phakic implants are positioned inside the eye, in front of the natural lens.
This type of vision correction can be an effective and reassuring option for individuals who may not be suitable candidates for laser eye surgery, such as LASIK or PRK.
At Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai or Abu Dhabi, our highly trained refractive surgery specialists will perform a comprehensive eye assessment to determine whether implantable contact lenses are the right option for you. We will take into account your prescription, eye structure, and lifestyle preferences to offer a safe and effective vision correction solution tailored to your needs.
What are the benefits of Implantable Lenses?
Phakic implants offer several benefits, including:
- Clear vision: Improved clarity for distance and near vision without needing glasses or contact lenses.
- Enhanced safety profile: Phakic implants offer a safer alternative for patients with high degrees of near-sightedness. They avoid the risks of removing corneal tissue, which is common in traditional laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK.
- Reversible procedure: The lens can be removed or replaced, offering flexibility for future eye health changes.
- Lower risk of dry eye: Phakic lenses do not cause dry eye, a common side effect of laser eye surgery.
How lens implants differ from Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Phakic implants and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) aim to correct vision but work in different ways. While RLE involves removing and replacing the natural lens with an artificial one, a technique often recommended for older individuals or those with cataract while phakic implants leave the natural lens intact and place an additional lens in front of it. This makes phakic implants a better choice for younger individuals with good accommodation (the ability to focus on objects at different distances).
What conditions are treated by Implantable Contact Lenses?
A variety of vision conditions are associated and treated with lens implants, including:
- Myopia (Short-Sightedness): High levels of myopia can be effectively corrected with phakic implants, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses.
- Hypermetropia (Long-Sightedness): Phakic implants can correct hypermetropia by improving the eye’s ability to focus on close objects.
- Astigmatism: Phakic implants can correct astigmatism by compensating for the cornea’s irregular shape, resulting in clearer vision at all distances.
- Presbyopia: Some advanced lenses, such as Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses, may help reduce dependence on reading glasses by improving focus at multiple distances.
What are the different types of implantable contact lenses?
There are several types of phakic implants designed to meet different visual needs:
- Anterior Implants: These lenses are placed in front of the iris (the coloured part of the eye) and are designed to improve vision for those with severe refractive errors.
- Posterior Implants: These lenses are positioned behind the iris but in front of the eye’s natural lens, providing excellent visual clarity while preserving the natural structure of the cornea.
- Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) Lenses: EDOF lenses offer improved vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses for both near and distance vision. These lenses are particularly useful for individuals with presbyopia or those who need clear vision at varying distances.
Who is suitable candidate for implantable contact lenses?
Phakic implants are suitable for individuals who:
- Are aged 21 or older, as the eyes should be fully developed before this procedure.
- Have stable vision and are not eligible for laser eye surgery due to thin corneas or high refractive errors.
- Are seeking a long-term solution for shortsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Do not have eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, or severe dry eye.
What happens during the Surgical Procedure?
Phakic implant surgery is typically a quick and minimally invasive procedure.
- Local anaesthetic eye drops are used to ensure comfort.
- A small incision is made, through which the lens is gently inserted in front of the natural lens.
- The procedure usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes per eye.
Most individuals notice an improvement in vision within a day or two.
What is the recovery time after lens implant surgery?
Recovery is usually smooth and relatively quick:
- Improved vision is often experienced within a few days.
- Return to normal activities typically occurs within one to two weeks.
- Some individuals may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity to light immediately after the procedure, but these symptoms usually resolve quickly.
Follow-up appointments will be arranged to ensure proper healing and to monitor your vision progress.
Phakic Implants (Implantable Contact Lenses) Specialists
Dr. Osama Giledi
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction SurgeryGCAA Approved Specialist Aeromedical Examiner
Associate Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
Dr. Osama Giledi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
Dr. Osama is skilled in managing ocular surface problems, including severe dry eye and Stem cell deficiency. He performs small incision phacoemulsification for his cataract surgery and is experienced in using toric and multifocal premium intraocular lenses. Dr. Osama’s expertise in managing complex corneal conditions includes all types of modern corneal graft procedures, such as DALK and DSAEK. He has performed over 23,000 refractive surgeries, including Lasik, LASEK, Intralase LASIK and Trans PRK, and phakic IOLs. He delivers the latest treatment for keratoconus, including Intracorneal ring segments, corneal cross-linking and complex laser treatment.
Dr. Osama graduated from Libya and completed his ophthalmic training in the UK, attaining a Fellowship in Ophthalmology from The Royal College of Edinburgh in 1996. He completed two years of higher subspecialty training fellowship on the anterior segment, Cornea and refractive surgery in 2003 at the prestigious Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. He worked as a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Centre for Sight London and the Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank at Queen Victoria Hospital. Dr Osama has 22 years of experience in the UK, providing services for anterior segment, Cornea, Refractive and cataract surgery.
In addition to his clinical commitments, Dr. Osama has extensive experience in teaching and training; he is a noted presenter at national and international meetings and has extensive research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is a member of the Royal College Surgeons of Edinburgh, the United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
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Dr. Miguel Morcillo
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive vision correction surgery
Dr. Miguel Morcillo is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive (Vision Correction – LASIK, LASEK, TransPRK) Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
Dr. Miguel holds a Spanish Degree in Medicine from the Universitat de Valencia. He completed his Residency in Ophthalmology under the MIR (Medico Interno Residente) system of the Spanish Ministry of Health. He has more than 25 years of experience, most of which was attained in Spain. He also worked in Italy and finally moved to the UAE in 2017 and has been practising in the UAE since that time. Dr. Miguel started his career working with Clinica Baviera, the largest private ophthalmology group in Europe, in Madrid and Valencia. He helped develop many of the refractive treatments offered today, such as LASIK, LASEK, ICLs and multifocal IOLs, in addition to collaborations with other hospitals to provide high-quality cataract and refractive surgery to patients. Dr. Miguel trained in cornea surgery at NIIOS Eye Institute (Rotterdam) and, since then became an experienced educator for other surgeons in the fields of the anterior segment and refractive surgery.
He has been a member of “Surgical Eye Expeditions International” since 1999, an American non-government organisation that arranges eye camps worldwide. Dr. Miguel has assisted several eye charity camps in numerous countries of Africa, in addition to Peru, Panama and India, providing free eye care and performing surgeries to those who could not afford it in less developed areas.
His research efforts include surgical topics and outcomes such as Ultrathin LASIK, Keratoconus screening, ICLs, and multifocal IOLs, among others. He has presented various papers in national and international congresses and journals and organised educational courses on refractive surgery for peers and opticians.
He is a member of Sociedad Española de Oftalmologia (SEO), the Panamerican Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and the European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS).
He is also the recipient of the Dr. P C Mahendra Memorial ACOIN International Award in India in recognition of his charitable work with people in need.
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Dr. Imad Hakim
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract and Refractive vision correction surgery
Dr. Imad Hakim is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialised in Cataract and Refractive vision correction surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
He holds a graduate degree from the University of Aleppo in Syria, obtained in 2002. Dr. Hakim also holds a certificate in Ophthalmology from Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich, Germany. He undertook his sub specialty training in Cataract and Refractive surgery at Realeyes Eye Clinic in Munich, Germany.
His areas of expertise are in Femto laser assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS), Refractive vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, TransPRK, PTK, Implantable Contact Lenses ICLs, Multifocal Intraocular Lenses IOLs and Add-On IOL ), Keratoconus, Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) Laser Eye Surgery and General Ophthalmology.
He has more than 15 years of regional and international experience in countries including Germany and UAE.
In his career, he has practiced in leading medical institutions such as Realeyes Eye Clinic in Munich, Germany as well as American Hospital in Dubai, U.A.E.
He has published research papers on Cataracts and Retina in leading journals.
He is a member of the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), The German Committee for Refractive Surgery (KRC), Commission of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and Professional Association of German Ophthalmologists (BVA).
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Dr. Esmaeil Arbabi
Medical Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist in Corneal transplant, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Dr. Esmaeil Mohammad Arbabi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with excellent surgical experience including all types of corneal transplants (DMEK, DSAEK, PDEK, DALK, PKP), ocular surface reconstruction, complex cataract and laser refractive surgery.
Prior to joining Moorfields Eye Hospital Center, he was Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon (Cornea, Cataract & Laser Refractive Surgery) and the Lead for Refractive Services at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Dr. Esmaeil holds several prestigious degrees and certifications in the field of cataract and refractive surgery including MSc in Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) from Royal College of Ophthalmologist and Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology Subspecialty Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery (FEBOS-CR).
He is a member of Royal College of Ophthalmologists, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, European Board of Ophthalmology, UK Cross-Linking Consortium, EYE -LAW CHAMBERS - Medicolegal Expert and Expert, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
He is instrumental in high quality papers in various peer reviewed journals and numerous scientific and ophthalmology publications. He is also an examiner for the University of Leeds and the University of Liverpool and for the European Board of Ophthalmologist (FEBO exam).
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