FORT MYERS/NAPLES – Local Ophthalmologist Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, is the only area eye surgeon selected by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) to be among the first doctors to use the new Verisyse phakic intraocular lens which received approval on Monday by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Verisyse IOL, for use in patients with myopia, or nearsightedness, is the first lens of its kind to receive FDA approval. The unique, patented lens design was introduced by OPHTEC, a privately held medical device manufacturer, more than 17 years ago in Europe and has been safely implanted in more than 150,000 eyes worldwide. In 2002, AMO acquired global distribution rights to the phakic IOL, which it markets under the Verisyse brand.
Dr. Frantz was specifically chosen by AMO to be among the first doctors to implant the Verisyse lens because AMO felt confident that he could effectively integrate it into his practice due to his excellent reputation and surgical outcomes. Dr. Frantz has been implanting various lenses in his patients for 15 years. He attended a training program this past April to learn about the specific details of the Verisyse IOL
“The Verisyse Phakic IOL has been proven to be safe and effective for very nearsighted people who are tired of thick glasses and are not candidates for CustomVue LASIK,’ explained Frantz. The word “phakic” means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye. “The procedure involves placing the Verisyse Phakic IOL behind your cornea and on top of your iris,” said Frantz. “This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high-definition vision like a normal eye,” he added. Although the Verisyse IOL is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired.
Many patients who have the Verisyse implant will see well near and at a distance because their natural lens is left in place. “Your own crystalline lens naturally adjusts to focus on near and distant objects; however, as you age, this natural lens function may diminish and you may need reading glasses to see objects that are near,” explained Frantz.
“Adding the Verisyse Phakic IOL to our practice gives us an additional option for our patients who are nearsighted,” said Frantz. As one of the area’s most experienced cataract and refractive specialists, Frantz offers several vision correction procedures for those who are nearsighted, farsighted, have astigmatism, or simply need reading glasses. These procedures include LASIK, NearVisionCK, and several lens implants, including the Crystalens.
To find out more about the Verisyse Phakic IOL or other vision correction options, Florida Eye Health offers complimentary screenings to find out which procedure is best for you. In Fort Myers, call 791-2020 and in Naples call 430-3939.
