Source: DGNews  |  Posted 8 years ago

By Deanna M Green, PhD

ANAHEIM, CA -- November 21, 2003 -- The STAAR implantable contact lens (ICL) effectively improves visual acuity (VA) by reversibly adjusting corneal curvature in highly myopic patients, according to findings presented here November 17th at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 2003 Annual Meeting. Most complications reported can be reduced with better positioning and placement.

Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) are potential new alternatives to laser-based refractive surgery. One advantage of IOLs over laser surgery is that they can be removed if necessary. They also offer a therapeutic option to patients who are not eligible for laser surgery.

I. Howard Fine, MD, from Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States, presented three-year results from the US FDA Myopia ICL study, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of the STAAR ICL in moderately to highly myopic patients.

The prospective study included 369 myopic eyes between -3.0D and -20.0D. The STAAR ICL was implanted into the posterior chamber of each eye. VA, manifest refractive spherical equivalence (MRSE), and complications were assessed up to 36 months after implantation.

Overall, a