www.healthyeye.co.za

ARTISAN LENS

Since 1986 thousands of people had great success with the implant of Artisan Lenses. For some patients it is normal to see sharp with the help of glasses and contact lenses.

Patients who are shortsighted see close up more clearly than far. For patients who are farsighted, it is the other way around.

The implanted Artisan lens

DESCRIPTION

Artisan Phakic Intraocular Lenses (PIOLs) are used in refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. They are designed to be permanently implanted into the eye to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lens.

The lenses are manufactured from Perspex CQ-UV, polymethalmethacrylate (PMMA) and are available in negative and positive powers.

The Artisan lens

Artisan lenses are unique and patented products which are designed for iris fixation.

For the implantation of Artisan lenses, special Artisan instruments and devices are used.

Do away with thick glasses & contact lenses

INDICATIONS FOR USE

Artisan PIOLs are intended for the reduction or elimination of myopia or hyperopia in patients:

with stabilized myopia or hyperopia, as demonstrated by a change of less than or equal to 1.0 diopter for at least 12 months prior to the preoperative examination.
without eye diseases
with a general healthy condition.

Phakic lenses are considered as an option for refractive correction of extreme cases of myopia (shortsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

These lenses may also be an option in cases where the corneal thickness is insufficient for excimer laser refractive surgery (LASIK).

Phakic intra-ocular lenses are preferred to lasik in these cases since it produces a more stable postoperative outcome as well as less glare and halo's in lower lighting conditions and thus better quality of vision. Phakic intra-ocular lenses may be combined with excimer laser (LASIK) surgery to correct any residual amounts of myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism.

Aphacic Artisan lenses also work extremely well for patients that had previous cataract operations without a lens implant, as a secondary implant, or as a primary lens in cataract surgery.

SURGERY

If you are a candidate for Artisan lens implants, the lenses are ordered to your individual specifications and implanted under local anaesthetic.

The Artisan lens is smaller than a contact lens and once in the eye, invisible.

The Artisan lens is inserted directly in front of the pupil and attached to the iris with two claws. Lenses are inserted one eye at a time.

In most case patients should be able to see better or normal the following day.

AFTER SURGERY

Due to the fact that one eye is treated at a time, you might need to wear you spectacles / a contact lens in the untreated eye during the week that you await treatment for the second eye.

A stitch is placed to close the corneal incision where the lens is inserted into the eye. This is ususally removed after one week.

If any residual refractive error remains after the implantation of the lens (myopia/hyperopia/astigmatism) this can be corrected with the Excimer Laser (LASIK), usually 6 weeks after the lens surgery.

ADVANTAGES

Phakic anterior chamber lens corrects high myopia and hyperopia not correctable by LASIK surgery.
Has superior predictability in results.
Is reversible.
Fast recovery and achievement of best possible vision.
Refractive stability, accuracy and patient gratification.
Potentially better functional vision compared to spectacles / contact lenses.
Invisible to onlookers.

WHO DOES THE ARTISAN PROCEDURE?
The Artisan Lens implants are done by Ophthalmic Surgeons, such as Dr. Maritz, suitably qualified to perform this procedure. The training and experience of the surgeon in this procedure is vital to the final visual outcome. Dr. Maritz in Benoni was one of the first surgeons in South Africa to perform this procedure.

PRE OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
During a consultation it will be confirmed whether you are a good candidate for the Artisan lens. Once this has been established, the operation procedure as well as all the relevant costs will be explained. As this operation can be considered by medical aids as a "functional improvement of lifestyle" operation and not a "life supporting" operation, they might not all be keen to carry the full cost of this procedure. Therefore, you have to confirm with your medical aid what their position will be. We will gladly provide a letter of motivation to be submitted to your medical aid, based on your circumstances giving all the necessary codes and information needed. Send us the details of your eyes and we will let you know if your eyes are suitable for refractive surgery.

Once all the above are clear, a complete eye evaluation will be performed to ensure your eyes are healthy and suitable for the specific procedure. You will receive drops in your eyes after which certain measurements will be taken of the cornea and eye to further determine if your eyes will be suitable and to plan the operation.

OPERATION
Do not wear any mascara or eye makeup on the day of surgery. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis. The procedure will take approximately 30 - 45 minutes but anticipate a 2 - 3 hour stay at the hospital.

Patients should be careful not to rub or press on the eye for a few days post operatively. Other than that they can continue with their lives as normal and do not anymore need to be bedridden. They may now bend down and wash their hair etc. as long as they don't exert or strain themselves excessively.

BE INFORMED
If you have any questions, or are uncertain about any aspect of this procedure, please feel free to contact any one of our staff members. They would be happy to be of assistance. Please call our office if you need more information on 011 422-1794 or fax 011 422-2809 to make an appointment.

WHO DOES THE OPERATION?
The operation and lens implantation is done by an Ophthalmic Surgeon. It is important to decide on the experience and training of the surgeon you choose to do your operation.