Severe Myopia-15 d. Phakic ICL/IOL

[jribe]

Hello,
I am 25 years old and have severe myopia at -15 diopters in each eye.  I am at an increased risk for retinal detachment and at my last visit my opthalmologist saw some small tears; and i have had floaters for abotu 5 years.  

The Dr. said that because of my high myopia i should consider having Phakic IOL or ICL done (under names veresye and visian) he said this would stop the elongation of my eye (which would help prevent future detoriation) and also improve my vision.  While i would most likely still need to wear glasses/contacts of some sort - my vision and eye health would be greatly improved.

I'm very worried about my vision, because of my age i know that things can only get worse.  My vision changes about -1 diopter each year.  I don't know at what point it would cause a retinal detachment or anything else.

My question for any Doctors on the forum is:  Does having a Phakic IOL/ICL procedure done reduce the risk of my eye deteriorating further?  Will it help prevent a retinal detachment?

Thank you!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

WHOA STOP RIGH THERE... You either misunderstood or you were told wrong. ICL do not stop progressive myopia. They correct for what's already present.

Use the search feature and archives to read about ICL.  The risks include infection, bleeding, corneal damage, glaucoma and a very very small risk of loss of eye. A not insignificant number need to be removed.

They absolutely do not reduce the risk of RD.

Get a second opinion

JCH MD

[jribe]

thank you for your response.  Can you direct me to some research or website that supports this?

I can't find anything that says one way or the other...

I thought it could make sense that i would stop it; since the eye wouldn't be stetching get more light through... But some information would be much appreciated.

[kg17]

The Visian ICL technology is relatively new - especially in the U.S. so there are not an abundance of published studies with the numbers of patients needed to sort out what the short-term and long-term risks are and which populations they affect.  I've done extensive research into the subject after having opted for the surgery that resulted in several problems.  The technology will do nothing to stop progressive or degenerative myopia (which you likely have) and will increase your risks for several complications.  You can use the search feature on this site and read both Dukey's posts on degenerative myopia and my posts (kg17) on the Visian ICL.  European studies have made repeated recommendations that the Visian ICL should not be used in younger patients (<40) due to high risk of cataract formation which poses significant risks to the severely myopic eye.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[lily926]

I know two different people  with -7 and -10 of myopia and after having ICL lens they couldn't be happier. Both had been wearing glasses since very young age, so they are very satisfied with this new technology.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

It remains to be seen if they will still be happy in 5 to 10 years.

JCH MD

[kg17]

Amen.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[walkietalkie]

curious, ICL is reversible, right?

anyway, at -7 and -10, isn't it better to be corrected using Lasik?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

No ICL is not always reversible, these complications are permanent-corneal damage, glaucoma, cataracts

Lasik would not correct all of that degree of myopia but might correct 75-80%

JCH MD