The Procedure

Before deciding to have phakic intraocular lens implantation surgery, you will need an initial examination to make sure your eye is healthy and suitable for surgery. Your provider will take a complete medical history and perform a thorough examination of both eyes.
 
If you wear contact lenses, your provider may ask you to stop wearing them before your initial examination so that the results of your exam are more accurate.

Based on the initial exam, your provider will determine the size of the lens that will be implanted in your eye. This is extremely important because if the lens is not the correct size, it can rotate inside the eye, causing astigmatism or damage to the natural lens. It can also block the natural flow of fluid inside the eye, causing glaucoma.

Just before the actual procedure, numbing drops will be placed in your eye. Your eye and the surrounding area will then be cleaned and an instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open.

Your provider will make an incision in your eye. Next, a lubricating medication will be placed into your eye to help protect the back of the cornea during the insertion of the phakic lens. The provider will insert the phakic lens through the incision and place it in the proper position within the eye.

In some cases, an "emergency release valve" is prepared by making one large or two smaller holes in the iris, in case the pupil is blocked, in order to avoid glaucoma. This procedure is called iridectomy. This is either done during the surgery, or several weeks before the actual lens implantation.

Finally, your provider will remove the lubricant. In some cases, the provider may close the incision with tiny stitches, depending upon the type of incision. Your provider will place eye drops or ointment in your eye and cover your eye with a patch. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.

After the procedure, you will be asked to go home and rest for the remainder of the day. You'll be instructed to keep your eyes clean, and avoid infectious environments, such as saunas or swimming pools. You will be given eye drops containing anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications for use until your eye has healed completely. Your eye will be mostly recovered within a week, and complete recovery should be expected in about three weeks. During your recovery, you should not lift heavy things, or do anything that elevates your blood pressure. Also, you should avoid contact sports within the next several months.