The Kamra Vision inlay is a recent development in refractive surgery and is used to treat presbyopia which is the natural loss of reading vision as we get older. The average person starts to need reading glasses aged around 45 years old and it gets progressively worse until they require reading glasses for every close vision task, such as sending a text or reading a menu. This is especially annoying for people who have always enjoyed perfect eyesight throughout their life and suddenly have to remember to carry reading glasses around with them. If you are short-sighted, presbyopia will affect you in a slightly different way. Once short-sighted people reach the age of around 45 years old they will have to start taking their glasses off to read, which again can be annoying.
Up until recently, laser eye surgery has struggled to provide a satisfactory solution to this natural loss of reading vision but there are now a few alternatives to choose from. The simplest method is monovision laser eye surgery and many clinics still perform this technique. In recent years, however, this has been superseded by more sophisticated treatments such as laser blended vision and Kamra vision Inlays. Kamra vision inlays are the most exciting development in treating presbyopia as they offer a permanent correction of people’s near vision problems.
What Are Kamra Vision Inlays & How Do They Work?
A Kamra vision inlay is effectively a tiny micro disc measuring approximately 4mm across. It has a central aperture which is 1.5 mm wide and weighs less than a grain of salt! It works on the small aperture ‘pinhole’ principle which effectively reduces the blurred vision from reaching your retina. The Kamra inlay has no actual power (prescription) and it is inserted into the non-dominant eye only which is assessed during a laser eye surgery consultation. Most people will also initially have laser eye surgery to ensure their distance vision is 100% perfect before the Kamra Inlay is inserted. This is all done as part of the same procedure which adds to the convenience of the treatment.
The main advantage of Kamra Vision inlays over monovision and blended vision is the improved range of focus that you get. This means that you will be able to see equally well for close, intermediate and far distances, which is not always the case with monovision and blended vision. As well as this, Kamra inlays will still leave you with normal binocular vision and contrast sensitivity which is another advantage over the other procedures. Another benefit of Kamra vision correction is that it is completely immune to our reading vision getting worse with age and the inlay never needs to be changed. The same inlay is used for all ages and the results are just as impressive for a 40-year-old as they are for a 70-year-old!
How Long Have Kamra Vision Inlays Been Around For?
To date around 10,000 Kamra vision procedures have been carried out worldwide after the manufacturers got approval after over 10 years development and $100 million worth of investment. Currently, only Focus laser vision carry out the procedure in the UK and this is as a result of their chief surgeon, Dr David Allamby being an expert in the field of presbyopic surgery.
How Long Does The Procedure Take & Is it Done On Both Eyes?
Most people will initially have laser eye surgery carried out on both eyes first to ensure their distance vision is perfect. Only if your distance vision is 100% perfect (which is unlikely) will your surgeon decide against performing the laser eye surgery. The inlay will then be placed under a flap within the cornea, with the whole procedure only taking around 15 minutes to perform. The inlay is inserted into the non-dominant eye only to ensure the best possible results.
Can Kamra Vision Inlays Correct Astigmatism?
Yes, Kamra Vision Inlays can correct astigmatism in the same way that laser eye surgery can correct astigmatism. If you have astigmatism this will first be removed by either Lasik or Lasek to ensure your distance vision is fully corrected. Kamra Vision Inlays can also be used to treat both long and short-sightedness although the treatment range is not as high for long-sightedness.
How Much Does Kamra Vision Inlay cost?
The current total cost at Focus laser vision is £5,200 for both eyes and £3,800 if only one eye is to be treated.
