Verisyse & Veriflex Lens Implant
Veriflex Lens Implant Study
"Foldable lens being evaluated to treat young adults who are extremely near-sighted."
Lora Nehrig has one of the most challenging jobs in healthcare: she is an R.N. who works nights in an Intensive Care Unit, a place where patients, families and doctors interact frequently over life and death matters. Five years on the job, Lora loves the fast-paced environment and the close involvement with families facing challenging circumstances. Working nights has taken its toll on her eyes, however; they are often tired from the strain of reading and writing on computers under the turned-down lights of the evening shift.
When Lora was referred to Dr. Price she hoped to be a candidate for LASIK to treat astigmatism (a condition where images lose their sharpness and crispness). Having worn glasses since the third grade and contacts since the sixth grade, Lora’s eyes were often itchy, and dry. She was initially disappointed to find out that she was not a candidate for LASIK, but then was excited to be offered the opportunity to participate in an FDA clinical trial for a new lens called the Veriflex lens.
The lens is for people under age 45 that are extremely near-sighted and it is foldable so it can be implanted through a small incision. Dr. Kathy Kelley is managing the study, just as she managed the earlier study of the Verisyse lens, which is rigid and goes through a larger incision.
Dr. Kelley explained to Lora that, in this trial, each patient will receive the investigational foldable lens in one eye and the FDA-approved rigid lens in their other eye. Participating in the study also provides a helpful chance for patients to benefit from this lens who otherwise might not be able to afford it.
Lora went home to think it over, and discussed it with the two physicians who had referred her to Dr. Price, and with her fiancée. Tired of reaching for glasses in the middle of the night before she could get out of bed, and tired of wearing contacts all daylong, Lora decided to enter the study. Her first eye surgery was successfully performed on March 17, just a month after her initial visit. On March 29, she had the second eye surgery and is now able to see 20/20 with both eyes corrected. “The surgery is quick, only about 15 -20 minutes long, and Dr. Price and his staff were just wonderful,” Lora said, “They did a great job explaining everything to me ahead of time so I was really well prepared and knew what to expect.”
For patients who are considering being part of a clinical trial or study, Lora cautioned, “Ask a lot of questions, consider your options carefully and once you decide, do whatever you can to improve your life. It’s worth it!”
For more information about the new FDA Study, please contact Dr. Kathy Kelley, the study manager at 317-814 -2859. You can read more stories of people of people with extreme nearsightedness in our book, Celebration of Light, which is available for a $20 donation to the Cornea Research Foundation of America. To order a copy, please go to www.Authorhouse.com or pick one up at Price Vision Group when you come in for your next visit. (You can also call Elaine Voci at 317-814-2993 for more information, and ask her about coming to speak to your group at no cost.)
"Dr. Price and the Cornea Research Foundation participated in the study that led to recent FDA approval of a rigid lens that can be placed in the eye to give better vision to very near-sighted young adults."
The FDA approved the first implantable lens for nearsightedness, giving people with extremely poor eyesight a new way to see the world around them. The lens is attached to the iris or colored part of the eye and is an alternative to glasses, contact lenses and LASIK surgery. Dr. Price participated in the approval study and has implanted over 150 of these lenses since 1998.
This lens has been used in Europe for 17 years and is manufactured by Ophtec USA Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., under the trade name Artisan. Advanced Medical Optics will distribute it under the Verisyse brand name in North America.
During surgery Dr. Price slips the tiny lens through a small incision and attaches it to the iris to hold it in place. Similar to a photographer bringing a camera lens into focus, the plastic lens helps create sharper images.
The implantable lens comes in different powers to fit the patient's needs. The lens provides crisp and clear vision especially to those who have high myopia. 92 percent of the 662 study patients who had moderate or severe nearsightedness ended up with 20/40 or better vision.Over half of the study patients could see better after receiving the Verisyse lens than they could ever see with glasses or contact lenses.
Some people may still need glasses for night driving and other activities preformed in low light conditions even after the surgical procedure. There's a risk of cataracts or infection with the procedure, but none of the patients in the U.S trials at our center developed cataracts.
People with thick glasses and corneas that are too thin for LASIK are among the best candidates for the new implantable lens.
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