Verisyse

When Megan Fastner left Anderson & Shapiro Eye Care, she saw a clearer, brighter world; a world whose clarity didn't end at the edges of her eyeglasses, a world whose colors weren't muted by thick lenses, a world free from the blurriness she had seen her whole life.

Megan was wearing new Verisyse implantable corrective lenses, inserted into her eyes by Dr. Michael B. Shapiro, Board-Certified ophthalmic surgeon, one of only a few refractive surgeons nationwide authorized to perform the procedure, and the only one in South-Central Wisconsin . The Verisyse lens, approved by the FDA in September, 2004, represents a breakthrough in vision correction. The Verisyse lens corrects moderate to severe nearsightedness offering hope for patients for whom LASIK is not an option because of the degree of their nearsightedness.

Time Magazine selected the Verisyse lens as one of the “Most Amazing Inventions of 2004”. After the lens is inserted into the eye, it attaches to the front of the iris, and acts like a tiny spectacle. The lens which has been used for twenty years in Europe , achieved impressive results in its three year clinical trial – 92% of myopic patients with 20/400 vision or worse improved to 20/40 vision, and 44% of patients achieved 20/20 vision.

Although the Verisyse lens is made from an inert plastic, and is intended to last a lifetime, the lens is removable if necessary. Or LASIK surgery may be performed that leaves the lens in place but reshapes the cornea to account for vision changes over time.

How do I know if I am a candidate?

You may be a candidate if you have been told you do not qualify for LASIK due to a high prescription or slight corneal stretching and your eyes are in good health.

What are the benefits of Verisyse over LASIK?

The benefits of the Verisyse procedure is that it does not remove any tissue, there is no reshaping of the eye, and no lens are removed, minimizing complications.

How long does the procedure last?

The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. There are no injections, just eye drop medication for the procedure.

What is the Verisyse lens made out of?

The Verisyse lens is made of the same plastic that is used in cataract lens implants for over fifty years. This material has been proven to be very safely tolerated by the eye.

Will I be able to see or feel the Verisyse lens in my eye?

Once the Verisyse lens is placed inside your eye, it is virtually undetectable; however, you and others may be able to see the lens in your eye if you look very closely. Because the Verisyse lens is placed inside your eye, you will not be able to feel it.

Can I see well near and at a distance with the Verisyse lens?

Most people who have the Verisyse procedure see well near and at a distance because their natural lens is left in place.

Can I go swimming with the Verisyse lens in my eye?

You can swim and participate in virtually any other activity with the Verisyse lens because unlike contact lenses, the Verisyse lens is placed behind the cornea of your eye. Therefore, it is not affected by external elements such as water.

Has the Verisyse lens been proven to work?

The lens is FDA approved and is being introduced to the United States after 7 years of FDA clinical trials involving more than 1000 U.S. patients. Additionally, its unique, patented lens design has been used in Europe for more than 17 years, and it has been successfully implanted in more than 150,000 eyes worldwide.