Doctor First in Region to Perform Cutting-Edge Eye Surgery
This article has been archived. Information given in this article may be out-of-date or incorrect. Any web links listed in this article may be broken. Please search University of Kentucky News for more recent related articles.
Media Contact: , (859) 327-1040
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 4, 2006) − Dr. John Conklin, Jr. recently
became the first Ophthalmologist in the Lexington area to perform the Visian Implantable
Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery for nearsightedness.
The Visian ICL is a foldable, single collamer-lens that can be inserted through a small self-healing incision. The Visian ICL procedure is an excellent option for patients who do not qualify for laser refractive surgery alone because of an extreme refractive error or corneas that are structurally inappropriate.
That includes patients like Benjamin Webb, who has been wearing glasses or contact lenses since the third grade. Over the years his vision has gone from bad to worse. A few years ago, doctors told Ben his vision was too poor to get any benefit from corrective eye surgery -- until now.
Webb was among the first to receive the ICL surgery, with just local anesthesia and a tiny incision in the cornea. Looking through a microscope, Conklin used tiny manipulators to put the lens into place. "The implant actually floats in front of your natural lens, so in a sense we're actually implanting a contact lens inside the eye, so the patient doesn't have to care for it. It's good for the rest of their life and provides the patient with lovely, uncorrected vision," Conklin said.
Just days after the procedure Webb was seeing with 20/15 vision and is completely free of glasses and contacts for the first time in 20 years.
"I can see," Webb said. "I don't know what to say, other than I can see. I really can't believe it. I'm just so happy with the results."
It is important to note that this surgery is not for everyone. Conklin says it's best for people 21 to 45 years old, and it's not for people who may have scarring in the eye or who are at risk for Glaucoma. Anyone considering this procedure should first get a complete eye screening from an Ophthalmologist.
Conklin is Associate Professor at the UK HealthCare's Chandler Medical Center and Director of the UK Refractive Surgery Service.
For more information about the ICL procedure or any of the other services provided by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences visit their website or call (859) 323-5867.
The Visian ICL is a foldable, single collamer-lens that can be inserted through a small self-healing incision. The Visian ICL procedure is an excellent option for patients who do not qualify for laser refractive surgery alone because of an extreme refractive error or corneas that are structurally inappropriate.
That includes patients like Benjamin Webb, who has been wearing glasses or contact lenses since the third grade. Over the years his vision has gone from bad to worse. A few years ago, doctors told Ben his vision was too poor to get any benefit from corrective eye surgery -- until now.
Webb was among the first to receive the ICL surgery, with just local anesthesia and a tiny incision in the cornea. Looking through a microscope, Conklin used tiny manipulators to put the lens into place. "The implant actually floats in front of your natural lens, so in a sense we're actually implanting a contact lens inside the eye, so the patient doesn't have to care for it. It's good for the rest of their life and provides the patient with lovely, uncorrected vision," Conklin said.
Just days after the procedure Webb was seeing with 20/15 vision and is completely free of glasses and contacts for the first time in 20 years.
"I can see," Webb said. "I don't know what to say, other than I can see. I really can't believe it. I'm just so happy with the results."
It is important to note that this surgery is not for everyone. Conklin says it's best for people 21 to 45 years old, and it's not for people who may have scarring in the eye or who are at risk for Glaucoma. Anyone considering this procedure should first get a complete eye screening from an Ophthalmologist.
Conklin is Associate Professor at the UK HealthCare's Chandler Medical Center and Director of the UK Refractive Surgery Service.
For more information about the ICL procedure or any of the other services provided by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences visit their website or call (859) 323-5867.