LASIK with Corneal Inlay May Help Treat Presbyopia

A new study is showing that LASIK with the implantation of small-aperture corneal inlays helps to treat presbyopia. The Hawaiian study was performed on 2000 patients between the ages of 40 and 65. All patients underwent LASIK and were implanted with the Karma intracorneal inlay. Around 85% of those in the study were still satisfied a year after the 2011 study.

Presbyopia is an age related condition in which eye patients begin to lose the near vision. Most patients make do with reading glasses, even if they have undergone LASIK in the past.

Corneal inlays are made to closely resemble the surface of the eye and are made of biocompatible material. Like contact lenses, they alter the way light enters the eye. However, they are implanted into the eye and do not need further care. In this case, they are implanted at the same time as LASIK surgery.

The Karma corneal inlay is not approved yet by the FDA, but is under an investigational device exemption clinical trial. It was made to block light rays reflecting from objects nearby that would affect the vision of eyes with presbyopia. Its inclusion into the LASIK procedure as something positive may help rid patients of reading glasses, even though they have perfect far-sightedness.

If you would like to learn more about LASIK and treatment of presbyopia, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area today.