Phakic Intraocular Lenses (cont.)
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR
Use the following checklist to help you guide your
discussion with your doctor about phakic lenses.
Know what makes you a poor candidate
- Do I have any conditions that would increase my
risks?
- Are the size of my pupils under low lighting
conditions bigger than the size of the lens? If so, what are my additional
risks?
- Is my anterior chamber shallow? If so, what are
my additional risks?
Know all the benefits, risks, and alternatives
- What are the benefits of the phakic lens for my
amount of nearsightedness?
- What are the risks of having the phakic lens
implanted?
- What is my risk of needing a corneal transplant in
the future, if I have the phakic lens implanted, based on my age and my
endothelial cell count?
- What could happen if I get hit in the eye or head
after phakic lens implantation that might be different from what could happen
if I did not have the lens implanted? Are my chances greater for a more severe
injury after phakic lens implantation?
- Can the phakic lens be removed? What are the risks of
removing the phakic lens?
- What other options are available for correcting
my nearsightedness?
Know preoperative, operative, and postoperative
expectations
- Will I need to limit my activities after treatment?
If so, for how long?
- What quality of vision can I expect in the first
week, first few months, and a year after surgery?
- What is the possibility that the phakic lens will not
completely correct my vision or that my prescription might be worse than
before surgery? What options for additional treatment will be available to me,
if needed?
- How likely is it that I will need to wear glasses or
contact lenses immediately after surgery and as I grow older?
- Should I have the phakic lens implanted in both eyes?
- What vision problems might I experience if I have the
phakic lens implanted in only one eye?
- How long will I have to wait before having
surgery on my other eye?
Know what the costs are
- How much will the surgery and follow-up cost? Will my
health insurance cover this surgery?
- Will there be additional costs if I need
additional procedures because the phakic lens
implanted in my eye is too strong or too weak or
because I have astigmatism? What is the likelihood
of this happening?
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