7.5 Years Later
Been a while since I’ve posted. Saw my ophthalmologist today. Vision is still 20/20. The distance between my ICL and natural lens shrank from 112 microns to closer to 100 microns. Apparently 90 microns is when the risk factor becomes serious. So the doctor said nothing to worry about for now as there may not be any changes in the future, but if things get worse we will look at options given the increased risk of early onset cataracts.
Two options exist. First, an additional iridotomy-based procedure which I would not be a fan of given the white line glare issues I’ve already written about in the past here. Second would be swapping out the lens which would essentially involve another ICL procedure. Something to consider for future years — fingers crossed I don’t get there and the vault space stays where it is! Hope you’re all staying safe in this crazy year! :/ Overall, eyes have been great to date! I shall keep monitoring.
Glad to hear your vision health is good 7.5 years later! Thank you for posting about your experience with Visian ICL. I am considering the surgery and it is helpful to read about your long-term experiences. Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks @Audz ! Definitely a lot to consider. Plus I assume the technology has evolved in the last 8 years :) all the best in whatever path you choose!
DeleteHi! Its been great to be able to read a long-term ICL experience from someone! :) im considering ICL as well since I'm not suitable for lasik. But I'm worried about long -term complications.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to ask if you have been updated about your endothelial cells? Aside from cataracts I also read that loss of endothelial cells is also a side-effect.
Also shrinking vault does it mean the lens is also now closer to your iris?
Its an elective surgery so Im afraid complications might make me regret my choice in future. If given another chance, would you still do ICL?
Thank you so much for this blog and reading this comment.!!
I wouldn't recommend it to be honest. The risk of cataract formation is highly downplayed. It really depends on your age but if youre around 35 or so, it's not bad because you'll likely need cataract surgery when you're 60 anyways, so even if you get an early ICL cataract in your 50's its not a huge deal. If you're in your early 20's and you need cataract surgery at 35, it's gonna suck.
Delete@Anna -- I think that's the main fear for everyone - any complications. For me, I haven't had any (yet) over the past 8 years, but remain anxious about it. I haven't asked about endothelial cells -- after all this time, I've forgotten about some of the issues I once researched. That being said, the shrinking # does refer to the space between the ICL lens and the natural lens: they said nothing to be concerned about right now as it may or may not shrink further. Cataracts is a risk for anyone aging - what @Vince said - so it would be a procedure similar to the ICL I believe. Hopefully it won't go there. Ultimately, like anything else, you'll need to weigh all the pros and cons. I made the decision I did because I decided to take the risk based on the fact that I did not have any other options at the time - it was ICL or glasses for me!
DeleteHow is your cornea tattoo doing? Is it faded at all, over these years? I took a picture of mine in the mirror and it did begin “fading” away. I had it redone but am not doing it again if this fades. We used India ink this time. It helps reduce the glare.
ReplyDeleteI asked about the white line glare and they said it can easily be stitched when I get cataract surgery but not now, as it’s a high risk of causing a cataract. Also the cataract lenses are “ok” not “excellent” and it would be a tradeoff. Yeah hopefully we don’t get cataracts for years to come. If you do, do a lot of research on who you pick for the surgery and the lens you’re implanting. Most go for a monofocal lens and wear glasses for near vision. Multifocals usually have bad vision quality and have glare at night which makes some patients miserable.
Hopefully when we get cataracts, we will have those capsular-bag filling iols that allow you to see all distances with excellent image quality.
Cheers to 2021 and good health.
@vince I haven't heard of stitching before -- would need to look that up! Just returned from my annual check-up and all is still good so will see what cataract technologies exist when we get to that point (hopefully not!). I can't see my tattoo as I have dark eye color -- and it never worked to begin with so I wouldn't know if it faded or not. But again, I can't see my white line glare unless I forcibly contort my eye into a bizarre position anyway so it doesn't really affect me. Cheers to your good health as well!
DeleteHey, I really want to get my iridectomy stitched. I read that you stitched yours. Can I email you some questions about that please ?
ReplyDeleteHi Emily - I haven't had stitching done before -- I believe you read @vince's comment above regarding corneal tattooing. Maybe Vince can help you with your questions!
DeleteI can certainly help if you have questions as there was a time when I was very keen on getting it stitched. As I have now developed a cataract, it doesn't make sense to do that yet as we will do that in a combined procedure when I'm ready to remove the cataract. In the US, I know a few doctors who are good and can do it. Just be cautious and make sure they've done the procedure before as pupilloplasty (that's the name of the procedure, sometimes it goes by "iridoplasty") essentially means "reshaping of the iris" or "pupil." As an iridotomy is small, it needs to be done delicately. If you have a surgical PI created by scissors or a vitrector, it will be larger and can be stitched easier, but it's still an '"advanced" surgery so you dont want anyone doing the operation if they are inexperienced.
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