I believe that what your doctors are recommending is the implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is called Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). You can read more about RLE by visiting http://www.USAEyes.org and clicking on | Considerations | Which Surgery For You? | RLE |
Your risks of problems related to surgery are astronomically high. Whether or not the possible outcome is worth the potential risk will depend upon many issues, but Ill raise the obviously problematic issue your retinas.
Being myopic (nearsighted, shortsighted) means that your eyes are longer than normal. Being very myopic means that your eyes are much longer than normal. You are incredibly myopic and your eyes are much, much longer than normal. Unfortunately, your retina is not larger than normal to accommodate the extra length of the eye. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the retina and raises the risk of detachment. In a natural state and without any surgery, you have a high risk of retinal detachment and subsequent blindness in the areas affected. This would be total blindness (black spots) that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
IOL surgery is relatively traumatic and increases the risk of retinal detachment. If you need IOL surgery because of disease, such as cataracts that are blocking vision, then IOL surgery makes some sense. To subject yourself to the elevated risk of retinal detachment for the convenience of a reduced need for corrective lenses when you are already at an elevated risk is not wise, in my opinion.
It may be possible to use phakic intraocular lenses (P-IOL). These P-IOLs do not replace the natural lens of the eye and are placed immediately in front or behind the iris. P-IOLs are not as traumatic to the eye, but still may not be appropriate for many reasons. To learn more visiting http://www.USAEyes.org and clicking on | Considerations | Which Surgery For You? | P-IOL |
Because of your severe myopia your eyes are in a compromised state. Be very careful.
Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Lasik Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification
I am not a doctor.
