Plastic lens may soon replace laser eye surgery

LONDON - Scientists from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have come up with a novel treatment to correct short-sightedness in people.

According to the researchers, the new treatment changes the path of light entering the eye by using a synthetic lens inserted in front of the natural lens.

Myopia or short-sightedness is a condition where the eye focuses images in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This means objects further away appear blurred.

Experts have carried out a review to compare these phakic intraocular lenses with laser surgery.

“Our findings suggest phakic IOLs are safer than excimer laser surgery for correcting moderate to high levels of short-sightedness,” dailymail.co.uk quoted lead author Allon Barsam as saying.

“Although it’s not currently standard clinical practice, it could be worth considering phakic IOL treatment over the more common laser surgery for patients with moderate short-sightedness,” Barsam added.

A year after surgery, the percentage of eyes with 20/20 vision without spectacles was the same for both procedures, but patients undergoing phakic IOL treatment had clearer spectacle corrected vision and better contrast sensitivity.