Corneal inlays represent the latest advances in treatment for presbyopic patients who prefer an alternative solution to glasses and contact lens for correcting poor near vision.

Inlays have also revolutionized the attitude to surgical vision-correction procedures for anyone over the age of 40.

The original corneal inlay

The first corneal inlay attempt can be traced back to 1949, when José Barraquer, a Colombian ophthalmologist developed his version of an intrastromal implant.

It was a case of trial and error in the beginning with many problems being presented ranging from corneal necrosis to opacification.

What makes the perfect inlay?

With continued research, clinical trials and advances in technology it was established that the perfect corneal inlay needed to be thin and small in diameter.

It also needed to be made of a material that allowed nutrients and fluid through it so as not to aggravate the eye.

Furthermore, the depth of implantation needed to be determined so that any inlay will not adversely affect vision or prove detrimental to eye health.

Presbia for presbyopia

The evolution of the corneal inlay for presbyopic patients has lead to the creation of the Presbia Flexivue Microlens™ which has been designed to sit inside the middle layer of the cornea.

Presbia is made from hydrophilic polymer, a material that is biologically compatible to the human eye. It is soluble and permeable which means it allows fluid and important nutrients to pass through.

Presbia microlens is 3mm in diameter and15 microns thick (width of a single silk fibre). Completely transparent, the inlay possesses refractive power to correct near vision, except in the lens’ central zone to allow for unaffected distance vision.

Implanted at an optimum depth of 280-300 microns into the middle layer of the cornea, the procedure takes less than ten minutes and does not involve any permanent loss of corneal tissue.

If you are over the age of 40 and suffering from presbyopia, you can find out more about Presbia and corneal inlay options at any Optilase clinic nationwide.

To book a free consultation call +353 1 223 8821.