A new way of correcting your eyesight could be safer than current laser technology – and it is just as effective.
The new technology, called phakic IOLs (intraocular lenses), has so far been reserved for extreme cases of myopia, or short-sightedness. However, a new review suggests it could be used for almost everyone who is thinking of laser eye surgery. A review by independent researchers at the Cochrane Centre has discovered that phakic IOLs are: * safer than laser surgery * preferred by patients considering laser surgery, and * just as effective.
The one great advantage is that the phakic system is less intrusive. It involves placing a small lens in front of the eye, almost like a permanent contact lens, whereas laser technology involves removing parts of the cornea. In their review, the Cochrane researchers looked at three trials that involved 132 patients who had either laser surgery or phakic IOLs. After a year, the same number had 20/20 vision, but the phakic patients had better contrast sensitivity. The phakic patients also preferred the procedure.
(Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2010; Issue 5. Art. No. CD007679).