Corneal Inlays Minneapolis

Most adults over age 40 will find themselves needing to wear reading glasses at some point. For some people, this change is surprising, especially if they have not needed any previous vision correction. In Bloomington, MN, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu offers comprehensive eye exams for patients who are experiencing presbyopia, the gradual loss of ability to focus the eyes up close.

Dr. Chu and the caring team at Chu Vision Institute are eager to help patients find an ideal solution to this issue. One of our treatment options is an implantable device known as a corneal inlay, a tiny lens placed into the first few layers of the cornea. The inlay itself is lighter and smaller than a contact lens and looks like a ring with a small pinhole opening that helps focus light into the eye. We offer the AcuFocus KAMRA inlay, which is FDA approved to treat presbyopia by increasing the eye’s depth of focus. Dr. Chu was a lead investigator on the decade-long clinical trials for KAMRA corneal inlays, helping to pioneer this groundbreaking treatment for vision correction.

If you’re experiencing age-related vision concerns due to presbyopia, reach out to our office. We would be happy to provide more information about corneal inlays and other reading vision correction solutions.

BEST CANDIDATES FOR CORNEAL INLAYS

If you are between 45 – 60 years old and have trouble reading small print or viewing objects up close, you may be a good candidate for KAMRA corneal inlays. This solution works well for patients who already have good long-distance vision. If you need to correct a refractive error, Dr. Chu may suggest that you first undergo LASIK or another laser vision correction surgery. Sometimes, LASIK and corneal inlays can be done at the same time. Depending on how much reading you do on a regular basis, corneal inlays may or may not be the best option for you.

 CORNEAL INLAY PROCEDURE TECHNIQUE

On the day of your corneal inlay procedure, you will come to our on-site ambulatory surgery center in Bloomington, MN. The procedure is quick, lasting about ten minutes. We will provide you with numbing eye drops and possibly a light sedative so you stay comfortable for the duration of your treatment. Dr. Chu will use a laser to cut a small flap in the top layers of your non-dominant eye. Next, he will insert the AcuFocus KAMRA inlay through the same tiny opening. Once the device is positioned in your cornea, it works to correct your vision similar to how the small aperture of a camera helps focus a picture.

 WHAT TO EXPECT WITH CORNEAL INLAYS

Since corneal inlays are a minimally invasive treatment, you can expect to get back to your normal routine after a day or two. You may feel some burning or irritation in the treated eye, but this is normal and should subside quickly. Our staff will provide you with important recovery instructions, such as avoiding wearing reading glasses and using prescribed eye drops. Dr. Chu may ask you to attend a series of follow-up appointments to ensure that your healing is progressing adequately. You should start to notice better vision within the first few weeks with continued improvements over the next 2 – 6 months. Many patients who receive inlays find that they are able to reduce or eliminate the need to wear reading glasses.

 RELY LESS ON READERS

Corneal inlays can be a great choice to improve close-up eyesight while still maintaining clear, crisp distance vision. If you would like to learn more about vision correction with the AcuFocus KAMRA inlay, reach out to our office to schedule a consultation. Chu Vision Institute is proud to be one of the first practices in the Bloomington, MN area to introduce corneal inlays as a surgical option to reduce dependence on reading glasses.

Dr. Ralph Chu LASIK surgeon Minneapolis Ophthalmologists

Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu is a fellowship-trained corneal specialist and a nationally recognized leader in refractive and cataract procedures. His specialty areas include cataract, LASIK, cornea, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries for patients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities areas.

Posted on October 27, 2022

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