Fixing plastic lens into eyes could replace laser surgery, say experts

A new type of procedure for correcting short-sightedness could be safer than laser eye surgery, according to a new scientific review.

The study also shows that patients preferred the new procedure, although both treatments improved vision to a similar degree.

Myopia or short-sightedness is a condition where the eye focuses images in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This means objects further away appear blurred. Around one in four people are short-sighted.

The new treatment changes the path of light entering the eye by using a synthetic lens inserted in front of the natural lens

Laser eye surgery bring images into focus by removing parts of the cornea. However, the new treatment changes the path of light entering the eye by using a synthetic lens inserted in front of the natural lens. Until now the operation has only been practiced in severely short-sighted patients.

Experts from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, carried out a review to compare these phakic intraocular lenses with laser surgery.

Lead author Allon Barsam said: 'Our findings suggest phakic IOLs are safer than excimer laser surgery for correcting moderate to high levels of short-sightedness.'

'Although it's not currently standard clinical practice, it could be worth considering phakic IOL treatment over the more common laser surgery for patients with moderate short-sightedness.'

The researchers reviewed data from three trials comparing the two types of surgery, which together included surgeries performed on 228 eyes in 132 patients.

A year after surgery, the percentage of eyes with 20/20 vision without spectacles was the same for both procedures, but patients undergoing phakic IOL treatment had clearer spectacle corrected vision and better contrast sensitivity.

Patients also scored the phakic IOL procedure more highly in patient satisfaction questionnaires.

Phakic IOL treatment carries a slightly increased risk of cataract, but further investigation of long term adverse effects is needed, according to the researchers.
'There may be more long term risks unique to patients with phakic IOLs that are not apparent after one year of follow-up,' Allon Barsam said
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