IOL Eye Surgery

The procedure costs $3,000-$4,000 per eye, compared with about $2,000 per eye for LASIK. The cost isn't covered by most health insurance because, like LASIK, it is classified as cosmetic surgery.

But to some people the procedure is worth every penny, said Dr. Thomas S. Tooma, medical director of TLC Laser Eye Centers in Ontario and Newport Beach. Right now it's the only and best solution in the world for nearsightedness too extreme for other procedures, according to Tooma, who has treated nearly 50 patients with implantable IOLs. These are patients who were disabled by the magnitude of their myopia. Now the freedom they experience is exhilarating.

Although the lens is intended to be permanent, the procedure can be reversed - a big advantage over laser treatments such as LASIK. Steve Chesterman, spokesman for Santa Ana-based Advanced Medical Optics, the sole North American distributor of Verisyse, said 2 million to 5 million Americans a year could be candidates for the procedure.

IOL The Surgery Procedure

The patient gets few drops placed in the eye to reduce the size of the pupil and numb the surface of the eye. The surgeon then attaches an instrument to hold the eyelid open.

Peering through a surgical microscope, the doctor makes a 6 millimeter incision into the eye, inserting the phakic IOL and attaching it in front of the iris. The incision is closed with a few tiny stitches that dissolve on their own. Usually surgery takes no more than 15 to 30 minutes.

Immediately afterward - and later in bed - patients must wear a clear protective shield over the eye. Within hours, the vision - although still a bit blurry - improves. About 1 1/2 weeks later, vision gets sharp except for some astigmatism to have corrected with touch-up LASIK therapy.

The procedure is painless, has no complications and causes no halos or visual distortions.

Brief description:

1. A 6-millimeter incision is made in the cornea.

2. The phakic IOL is inserted vertically using forceps, and then rotated until it is centered in front of the pupil.

3. Once in place, an instrument is used to pinch a little nub of iris tissue between "crab claw" slot on each side of the IOL to hold it in place.