I had 2 doctors turn me down for Lasik. I know my eyes are -12 or -13 and I do have a lot of astigmatism. The doctors told me I had thick corneas. But they both recommended I look into the Verisyse procedure. Are there any people on this forum who had this procedure? Please tell me your experience. I am having trouble finding reported problems, I guess because it is so new in this country. Thank you.

I went to the Verisyse website and contacted the company. They recommended a Doctor in my area who was Verisyse trained. Perhaps you can try that. In a search engine, enter Vision in Focus and that should lead you to the correct website.

The Verisyse phakic intraocular lens (P-IOL) has been available in Europe for more than a decade so there is a lot of information about its strengths and limitations available, even if not included in the FDA clinical outcomes information.

The Verisyse approved in the US can not correct astigmatism. To correct both your high myopia and your astigmatism, you would probably require a combination of lens-based and laser surgery, if it is actually possible to correct.

It is very important to remember that the Verisyse is a long-term, but temporary, correction. If you live long enough, at some point the lens must be removed. It will need to be removed because you have developed a cataract (naturally or otherwise) or because the cells on the underside of your cornea have diminished in quantity to the point they can no longer tolerate the P-IOL.

You may also find it interesting to know that the FDA advisory panel actually deadlocked on whether or not to approve this lens, with the deciding vote for approval being cast by the chair of the panel.

If you are at or over 40 years of age and have an otherwise healthy eye, you may want to consider Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) as an alternative if you find that Verisyse is not up to the task. Visit http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/rle.htm for details about RLE.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I am not a doctor. While checking lasik websites, most generally put a limit of -10 diopters that can efficently be treated by lasik. Any higher than that and the risks start to go up, up, up. Your thick corneas are good for treating much of your myopia. In my opinion I would NOT take two risks, both from lasik and IOLs, more can go wrong with two types of surgury. Id choose one or the other. Your uncorrected vision is perhaps 20/2000 and if lasik can take out -10 diopters and possible reduce your astigmistim you might then achieve 20/200 uncorrected. This means much thinner, lighter glasses and a reduction in their dependancy. Of course you will want to discuss your options with a doctor, for I am not one and what I said is just my opinion.

The Verisyse phakic IOL is a very viable alternative for patients with high degrees of myopia, especially those who are not candidates for LASIK. I am certified in the Verisyse procedure and have used both this technology and a second phakic intraocular lens technology called the PRL (I was a surgeon in the phase 3 clinical trial in the US. The PRL is currently available in Europe, but will not get approved in the US due to lack of financial support.
For the Verisyse phakic IOL - for appropriate patients, this technology is very exciting. The verisyse IOL can provide excellent quality of vision. On the other hand. since the surgery is intraocular, there is more risk than with LASIK.
The key thing to do is discuss your options with your own doctor.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

I am 40 yrs old but have no problems with accomodation. I read about the RLE. I guess I will talk to my doctor about that. Kind of scary to remove a "good" natural lens, but if it will have to be removed someday anyway....

I am putting this off till January 2006. I hope to hear of some other people's experience with verisyse in the meantime. Thanks to all who replied to my post.