Gel Injection to Replace Bifocal Contacts?

naturallygood · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 02:44 PM

I just read an article about a new technique that's being worked on to help people with presbyopia. It involves the removal of the stiff old natural lens and injecting a gel-like polymer in its place which acts more like a fresh, young lens.

Does anybody have more details about this exciting idea?

guru · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 01:59 PM

Sorry, i don't have any idea .

naturallygood · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Still no more takers for the polymer lens thing, huh?

skatss · #4 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 05:21 PM

I haven't heard of anything like this but I wonder if it's worth doing. Before I would have an operation that replaces anything in my eyes I would look long and hard into it. The last thing I want to do is to cause more problems than I already have. What is the point of the operation? Is it just so you won't have to wear glasses any longer or for something more serious?

Earthshock · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatss

I haven't heard of anything like this but I wonder if it's worth doing. Before I would have an operation that replaces anything in my eyes I would look long and hard into it. The last thing I want to do is to cause more problems than I already have. What is the point of the operation? Is it just so you won't have to wear glasses any longer or for something more serious?

I'm not an eye surgeon, but I'll try to answer your question, just to be a good virtual neighbor.

It sounds like this is a last-ditch effort to save someone's eyesight. If their natural lenses have pretty much been destroyed it might be a good idea to replace them with gel injections. Although the idea of someone sticking a needle in my eye creeps me out no end.

naturallygood · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthshock

I'm not an eye surgeon, but I'll try to answer your question, just to be a good virtual neighbor.

It sounds like this is a last-ditch effort to save someone's eyesight. If their natural lenses have pretty much been destroyed it might be a good idea to replace them with gel injections. Although the idea of someone sticking a needle in my eye creeps me out no end.

Yeah, the whole idea of an injection in your eye is rather horrifying. I think you're right about it being a "last-ditch effort."

Earthshock · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallygood

Yeah, the whole idea of an injection in your eye is rather horrifying. I think you're right about it being a "last-ditch effort."

I would hope so, especially of it's a choice between wearing bifocals or someone sticking a needle in my eye. I'd go for the specs myself.

naturallygood · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 03:47 PM

You said it. For a surgeon to actually want to remove a patient's lens it would have to mean that their own natural lens was pretty much destroyed, so even if the artificial lens doesn't give very good vision, it would have to be an improvement, wouldn't it? I can't imagine a gel that I could see through well enough that it could be in my eyes and I could still read the paper, presumably.

Earthshock · #9 (**permalink**) 04-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallygood

You said it. For a surgeon to actually want to remove a patient's lens it would have to mean that their own natural lens was pretty much destroyed, so even if the artificial lens doesn't give very good vision, it would have to be an improvement, wouldn't it? I can't imagine a gel that I could see through well enough that it could be in my eyes and I could still read the paper, presumably.

Since this is such a radical procedure, I doubt if it works as well as having a natural lens. You might be able to recognize loved ones and maybe even drive a car, but I'd be very surprised it someone who has had this artificial lens procedure done could read the small print in the newspaper.

tarooksesom · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2010, 01:02 AM

The procedure you are discribing sounds identical to cataract surgery, which I had on both eyes at the age of twenty. When I had it done the artificial lens put in was stiff, actually causing me to have presbyopia. Within just a few years though, a new flexible lens had been developed. My cousin and uncle have these lenses and have loved them.
So, you are right, surgery is for if your natural lens really is shot. At the same time, the surgery was a simple out patient surgery. And since the artificial lens they put in is custom made to your eye, they also fix any near sightedness or far sightedness at the same time. I know a lot of people that have lasik done, even multiple times. It is a little more evasive then lasik, but not much.

Purpleiris · #11 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

The procedure you are discribing sounds identical to cataract surgery, which I had on both eyes at the age of twenty. When I had it done the artificial lens put in was stiff, actually causing me to have presbyopia. Within just a few years though, a new flexible lens had been developed. My cousin and uncle have these lenses and have loved them.
So, you are right, surgery is for if your natural lens really is shot. At the same time, the surgery was a simple out patient surgery. And since the artificial lens they put in is custom made to your eye, they also fix any near sightedness or far sightedness at the same time. I know a lot of people that have lasik done, even multiple times. It is a little more evasive then lasik, but not much.

Thanks for your post, tarooksesom. I'm very encouraged to hear how successful your surgery had been. I'm glad you had such a positive experience. Is there a fancy name for this procedure that Lens 101 surfers can research on line, or is it just called "cataract surgery"?

naturallygood · #12 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

The procedure you are discribing sounds identical to cataract surgery, which I had on both eyes at the age of twenty. When I had it done the artificial lens put in was stiff, actually causing me to have presbyopia. Within just a few years though, a new flexible lens had been developed. My cousin and uncle have these lenses and have loved them.
So, you are right, surgery is for if your natural lens really is shot. At the same time, the surgery was a simple out patient surgery. And since the artificial lens they put in is custom made to your eye, they also fix any near sightedness or far sightedness at the same time. I know a lot of people that have lasik done, even multiple times. It is a little more evasive then lasik, but not much.

Thank you for sharing your experience. What is your current correction status? Is your artificial lens still in place? What about the "new flexible lens" you mentioned your cousin and uncle having? Is it like yours?

tarooksesom · #13 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallygood

Thank you for sharing your experience. What is your current correction status? Is your artificial lens still in place? What about the "new flexible lens" you mentioned your cousin and uncle having? Is it like yours?

I'm not sure what my current correction status is, I'll have to check...

Initially my DR purposefully made my left eye weaker (so I could read up close) and my right 20/20. My right did relax a little in the months following the operation and for 10 years I wore a contact only in that eye. I used monovision. Right for distance, left for reading. At the time this was really my only option since the artificial lens was not flexible.

I have not researched the new flexible lens, and so I can't tell you much about them. I have one relative that hated them, and two that had good experience with them. Here is a website on cataracts to give you more info:
http://www.cataractsurgery.com/understand-cataract-treatment/what-is-an-intraocular-lens-iol.asp

When you have cataract surgery, they can make your vision 20/20, but it is a bit of a guessing game. Unlike Lasik where you can have "adjustments" if the vision isn't exactly 20/20, you can not have those adjustments with the artificial lens.

Oh, and yes, my artificial lens is still in place. Most people who have cataract surgery are in their later years. The lens last 20+ years, so most don't have to ever have them replaced. I expect to replace mine at least once. Probably in my mid 40's or 50's.

tarooksesom · #14 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpleiris

Thanks for your post, tarooksesom. I'm very encouraged to hear how successful your surgery had been. I'm glad you had such a positive experience. Is there a fancy name for this procedure that Lens 101 surfers can research on line, or is it just called "cataract surgery"?

I believe it is just called cataract surgery. The artificial lens is called an introacular lens.

To be clear, I'm not sure what exact surgery the original poster was refering to, it just sounded to me like cataract surgery.

My understanding is that people with cataracts and people with presbyopia have problems with the same lens in their eye (the lens at the back of the cornea). This lens is flexible and so it can focus up close and at distances. As we get older it loses it flexibility (presbyopia) it can also have the proteins in it break up (think egg whites cooking and changing from clear to white) causing "clouds" over the eye and eventual blindness. This cloudiness is called cataracts. And I can tell you, it is really annoying. Mostly because each part of the cloud reflexs light in a different direction, so car head lights, and just the sun can seem so incredibly bright they literally blind you from seeing anything around them. I remember one day going out for a walk, with sunglasses on, and being scared I couldn't make it home because the sun was so bright I couldn't see in front of me. Course, that was my most extreme experience. The reality was I didn't even know I had cataracts for years. Your DR will see them when he is measuring your eye. They are pretty obvious.

BoSoxFan · #15 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

I'm not sure what my current correction status is, I'll have to check...

Initially my DR purposefully made my left eye weaker (so I could read up close) and my right 20/20. My right did relax a little in the months following the operation and for 10 years I wore a contact only in that eye. I used monovision. Right for distance, left for reading. At the time this was really my only option since the artificial lens was not flexible.

I have not researched the new flexible lens, and so I can't tell you much about them. I have one relative that hated them, and two that had good experience with them. Here is a website on cataracts to give you more info:
http://www.cataractsurgery.com/understand-cataract-treatment/what-is-an-intraocular-lens-iol.asp

When you have cataract surgery, they can make your vision 20/20, but it is a bit of a guessing game. Unlike Lasik where you can have "adjustments" if the vision isn't exactly 20/20, you can not have those adjustments with the artificial lens.

Oh, and yes, my artificial lens is still in place. Most people who have cataract surgery are in their later years. The lens last 20+ years, so most don't have to ever have them replaced. I expect to replace mine at least once. Probably in my mid 40's or 50's.

Thanks tarooksesom. I hope this operation will prove to be a blessing to you. How has it helped your day-to-day living?

tarooksesom · #16 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthshock

I'm not an eye surgeon, but I'll try to answer your question, just to be a good virtual neighbor.

It sounds like this is a last-ditch effort to save someone's eyesight. If their natural lenses have pretty much been destroyed it might be a good idea to replace them with gel injections. Although the idea of someone sticking a needle in my eye creeps me out no end.

having a needle stuck in my eye was pretty creepy, but only cus I knew they were going to do it. In reality, I didn't even see the needle go in. I did "feel" the pressure of the artifical lens unrolling in my eye once they put it in. It didn't hurt at all, but I'd say that was the creepiest part.

Just thought I'd pass that on.

tarooksesom · #17 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoSoxFan

Thanks tarooksesom. I hope this operation will prove to be a blessing to you. How has it helped your day-to-day living?

As was mentioned earlier, this surgery most likely is just for natural lens that are shot. That was my case. I could see fine (with contacts), but the cloudiness was causing everything to be very very bright. The Dr. said I had about two years until the clouds would completly cover my eyes. At that point I would be blind. So as far as helping my every day life I'd say having the surgery was great! I'm not blind.

On top of that the surgery corrected my very poor vision (I had glasses at age 5, and had to have hard contacts at age 11 to slow down how quickly my eyes were getting worse). So, when the surgery was over, I was thrilled to have 20/20 vision. Negatives of the surgery are that it is a surgery and has all the risks that go with it. Also, my artificial lens is not flexible, so I have presbyopia. This has been a challenge for me to deal with.

dragongirl81 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-13-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

As was mentioned earlier, this surgery most likely is just for natural lens that are shot. That was my case. I could see fine (with contacts), but the cloudiness was causing everything to be very very bright. The Dr. said I had about two years until the clouds would completely cover my eyes. At that point I would be blind. So as far as helping my every day life I'd say having the surgery was great! I'm not blind.

On top of that the surgery corrected my very poor vision (I had glasses at age 5, and had to have hard contacts at age 11 to slow down how quickly my eyes were getting worse). So, when the surgery was over, I was thrilled to have 20/20 vision. Negatives of the surgery are that it is a surgery and has all the risks that go with it. Also, my artificial lens is not flexible, so I have presbyopia. This has been a challenge for me to deal with.

Thanks for letting us know the details of your operation. I'm glad your distance vision is good anyway, even if reading is a bit of a challenge.

shunjames · #19 (**permalink**) 04-14-2010, 02:09 AM

Does anyone out there wear bifocal contacts? I am having a very hard time (two doctors and 10 differant contacts later) seeing as good in them as I do in my glasses, especially close up. I understand there will be a little differance, but when I can't read the names on my cell phone, or price tags, what good are they. I'm not going to use reading glasses with them, I might as well were my glasses. Am I expecting too much? I know absolutely NO ONE that wears them, so I was just wondering what anyone that does has to say. Thanks I appreciate the input.

Wendy94 · #20 (**permalink**) 04-14-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shunjames

Does anyone out there wear bifocal contacts? I am having a very hard time (two doctors and 10 differant contacts later) seeing as good in them as I do in my glasses, especially close up. I understand there will be a little differance, but when I can't read the names on my cell phone, or price tags, what good are they. I'm not going to use reading glasses with them, I might as well were my glasses. Am I expecting too much? I know absolutely NO ONE that wears them, so I was just wondering what anyone that does has to say. Thanks I appreciate the input.

Welcome shunjames. Good to have you here on Lens 101. I'm sorry your bifocal contact lenses aren't helping read price tags or see the names on your phone. I don't think it's too much to ask that you be able to read those things with your bifocal contacts. Normally I'd suggest trying another brand, but you've already tried that. I hate to say it but it's possible that bifocal contacts just aren't for you. You can't say that you didn't give them a fair shot.
I hope I'm wrong and that you find some bifocal contacts you're happy with. Would you please keep in touch with Lens 101 so we can keep tabs on how you're doing?

tarooksesom · #21 (**permalink**) 04-14-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shunjames

Does anyone out there wear bifocal contacts? I am having a very hard time (two doctors and 10 differant contacts later) seeing as good in them as I do in my glasses, especially close up. I understand there will be a little differance, but when I can't read the names on my cell phone, or price tags, what good are they. I'm not going to use reading glasses with them, I might as well were my glasses. Am I expecting too much? I know absolutely NO ONE that wears them, so I was just wondering what anyone that does has to say. Thanks I appreciate the input.

I just began trying bifocal lenses. So far I have tried acuvue bifocal and have not been pleased (fuzzy distance. Reading is okay with a bright light. I can read my cell phone and price tags but not medicine bottles). I'm about to try acuvue for presbyopia. I'll post later on how that went. I've also had it recommend to me that the "best" multifocal lens are Air Optix multifocal and Proclear multifocal. They also highly recommend the new synergeyes. Have you tried any of these? What was your experience with them?

Knotlob · #22 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

I just began trying bifocal lenses. So far I have tried acuvue bifocal and have not been pleased (fuzzy distance. Reading is okay with a bright light. I can read my cell phone and price tags but not medicine bottles). I'm about to try acuvue for presbyopia. I'll post later on how that went. I've also had it recommend to me that the "best" multifocal lens are Air Optix multifocal and Proclear multifocal. They also highly recommend the new synergeyes. Have you tried any of these? What was your experience with them?

Is the new Synereyes a hybrid RGP lens with a 'soft lens' perimeter? They are not available in Europe yet - just curious.

knotlob

Georgiaonmymind · #23 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Is the new Synereyes a hybrid RGP lens with a 'soft lens' perimeter? They are not available in Europe yet - just curious.

knotlob

From the SynergEyes website: "SynergEyes®, Inc., is a 21st century company, founded by a small group of industry and eye care professionals that recognized the market need for a better hybrid contact lens that combined the superior visual acuity of a rigid lens with the comfort of a soft contact lens. The revolutionary SynergEyes® hybrid contact lens with its rigid center and soft lens skirt, allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds – a stable, high oxygen permeable rigid center that delivers consistent crisp, clear vision with the all-day comfort of a soft contact lens. "

Do you think these contact lenses will be helpful to tarooksesom?

Knotlob · #24 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgiaonmymind

From the SynergEyes website: "SynergEyes®, Inc., is a 21st century company, founded by a small group of industry and eye care professionals that recognized the market need for a better hybrid contact lens that combined the superior visual acuity of a rigid lens with the comfort of a soft contact lens. The revolutionary SynergEyes® hybrid contact lens with its rigid center and soft lens skirt, allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds – a stable, high oxygen permeable rigid center that delivers consistent crisp, clear vision with the all-day comfort of a soft contact lens. "

Do you think these contact lenses will be helpful to tarooksesom?

Hello Georgiaonmymind

I've read that blurb before and was interested, but this looks like a standard long distance vision correction. Are they also doing multifocal?

Probably no reason why they cannot, but if they are new, it may take some time to get to market.

It's certainly another lens to consider (though maybe not cheap) - but such eyesight problems can be tiresome and if you find a solution which works, then it may be a price worth paying.

knotlob

tarooksesom · #25 (**permalink**) 04-17-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Georgiaonmymind

I've read that blurb before and was interested, but this looks like a standard long distance vision correction. Are they also doing multifocal?

Probably no reason why they cannot, but if they are new, it may take some time to get to market.

It's certainly another lens to consider (though maybe not cheap) - but such eyesight problems can be tiresome and if you find a solution which works, then it may be a price worth paying.

knotlob

yes, synergyes comes in a multifocal option. Here is the link: http://www.synergeyes.com/ourlenses/synergeyes_m.html
My problem with gp and I imagine synergeyes would be the same is that I can't "test" them out first. I have to buy an expensive lens. If I end up hating it, I'm just out the money. So, I'm trying all the "trail" lenses first to see if one of them will work. I posted about synergeyes because I'd like to know if anyone has experiense with them. Does anyone know how much they cost? Has anyone tried the proclear or the air optix? I'd like to know what the pros and cons of these three types/brands of lenses are.

tarooksesom · #26 (**permalink**) 04-17-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

yes, synergyes comes in a multifocal option. Here is the link: http://www.synergeyes.com/ourlenses/synergeyes_m.html
My problem with gp and I imagine synergeyes would be the same is that I can't "test" them out first. I have to buy an expensive lens. If I end up hating it, I'm just out the money. So, I'm trying all the "trail" lenses first to see if one of them will work. I posted about synergeyes because I'd like to know if anyone has experiense with them. Does anyone know how much they cost? Has anyone tried the proclear or the air optix? I'd like to know what the pros and cons of these three types/brands of lenses are.

I found a website that states the Synergeyes multifocal cost 75 per lens (150 for the pair) and must be replaced every 6 months. So 300 bucks a year for me.

Knotlob · #27 (**permalink**) 04-17-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

I found a website that states the Synergeyes multifocal cost 75 per lens (150 for the pair) and must be replaced every 6 months. So 300 bucks a year for me.

$75/lens is cheaper than a high end Gas Permeable lens, but as I suspected, the soft lens bit limits it's life. Still, I'm sure they could do better than 6 months. After all, I used to wear CooperVision/Hydron Omniflex Yearly lenses and they lasted the year, barring accidents.

knotlob

naturallygood · #28 (**permalink**) 04-19-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

As was mentioned earlier, this surgery most likely is just for natural lens that are shot. That was my case. I could see fine (with contacts), but the cloudiness was causing everything to be very very bright. The Dr. said I had about two years until the clouds would completly cover my eyes. At that point I would be blind. So as far as helping my every day life I'd say having the surgery was great! I'm not blind.

On top of that the surgery corrected my very poor vision (I had glasses at age 5, and had to have hard contacts at age 11 to slow down how quickly my eyes were getting worse). So, when the surgery was over, I was thrilled to have 20/20 vision. Negatives of the surgery are that it is a surgery and has all the risks that go with it. Also, my artificial lens is not flexible, so I have presbyopia. This has been a challenge for me to deal with.

So what's new for you and your surgically corrected vision? Later on in this thread you talk about getting contacts. Are they for correcting your presbyopia?

tarooksesom · #29 (**permalink**) 04-19-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallygood

So what's new for you and your surgically corrected vision? Later on in this thread you talk about getting contacts. Are they for correcting your presbyopia?

Yes. The surgery was 10 years ago. I've been using monovision since then, but now need to have contacts specifically for they presbyopia.

Autonation · #30 (**permalink**) 04-20-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

Yes. The surgery was 10 years ago. I've been using monovision since then, but now need to have contacts specifically for the presbyopia.

Can you still use monovision lenses even with hyperopia? I would think that would just involve adjusting the prescription on the "reading" lens, right?

Maybe you can use a monocle. Monocles are cool.

tarooksesom · #31 (**permalink**) 04-20-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autonation

Can you still use monovision lenses even with hyperopia? I would think that would just involve adjusting the prescription on the "reading" lens, right?

Maybe you can use a monocle. Monocles are cool.

If that's a monocle, then yes! they are very cool. I can still use monovision. The problem I'm having is that I've begun playing tennis again. and monovision messes up my depth perception a bit. Also messes up night driving a bit. So, I've decided to stop doing monovision so my night driving improves ALL the time, and my tennis playing improves too. (Okay, so maybe there's more to the tennis then just my eyes.....lol

)

Tonythetiger · #32 (**permalink**) 04-21-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

If that's a monocle, then yes! they are very cool. I can still use monovision. The problem I'm having is that I've begun playing tennis again. and monovision messes up my depth perception a bit. Also messes up night driving a bit. So, I've decided to stop doing monovision so my night driving improves ALL the time, and my tennis playing improves too. (Okay, so maybe there's more to the tennis then just my eyes.....lol

)

Yeah, maybe monovision is not for you. What alternatives do you have?

dragongirl81 · #33 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autonation

Can you still use monovision lenses even with hyperopia? I would think that would just involve adjusting the prescription on the "reading" lens, right?

Maybe you can use a monocle. Monocles are cool.

They're even cooler when worn by a cat. A human can never hope to be so cool.

Autonation · #34 (**permalink**) 06-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarooksesom

If that's a monocle, then yes! they are very cool. I can still use monovision. The problem I'm having is that I've begun playing tennis again. and monovision messes up my depth perception a bit. Also messes up night driving a bit. So, I've decided to stop doing monovision so my night driving improves ALL the time, and my tennis playing improves too. (Okay, so maybe there's more to the tennis then just my eyes.....lol

)

So what you're saying is that you can still use monovision . . . except for the depth perception, night driving and playing tennis. Otherwise they're fine? It sounds like as long as you're reading in broad daylight you're good to go with those monovision lenses.