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Does Staar have an alternative to Lasik?

September 18, 2008

Analysis of:Insiders Buy Staar as Lasik Alternate Shows Potential (Update2) | www.bloomberg.com

The Staar ICL is a lens for the correction of high amounts of nearsightedness and will never take over a significant amount of the Lasik market. Their growth in the market for the ICL is in spite of the decrease in Lasik nationwide because more surgeons have been trained in its placement and because this procedure is so much more expensive than Lasik typically has a much longer lead time.  Costs for Lasik are $1200 to $2500 per eye and placement of the ICL is $4000- $5000+. Risk of surgery is hugely higher with the Visian ICL than it is with Lasik.

Does Eyeonics have a long term future

August 31, 2007

Analysis of:Eyeonics Files For IPO | www.socaltech.com

It seems most likely that the reason that the major ophthalmic houses did not want the Crystalens-Eyeonics company is that the technology has substantial problems.  Unlike the multifocal lenses, in order to give the best possible distance vision, near vision is not adequate to read ordinary small print.  Some surgeons complain of large numbers of long-term surgical complications associated with the mechanism of action of the lens with a significant explantation rate.  In discussing the issue of putting a "bifocal-type" lens in to the eye of an ophthalmologist, very few doctors would be willing to implant this lens in their own eye or the eye of a family member. 

The risk of infection is overblown

April 17, 2006

Analysis of:Investigation of Serious Eye Infections Associated With Soft Contact Lens Use and Contact Lens Solution | www.fda.gov

Much has been said in the popular press recently about the danger of fusarium corneal ulcers.  Even with the increased numbers there is a much greater risk of infection with a bacterial ulcer than with a fungal ulcer.

Will Surface Ablation take the place of Lasik

April 13, 2006

Analysis of:Refractive Surgery and the Resurgence of Surface Ablation Procedures | aaophp.aao.org

Some surgeons believe that Lasik has inherent dangers and that Surface Ablation reduces the risks substantially. 

Manufacturers are working on ways of mechanizing the removal of the corneal epithelium using very expensive technology.

Perspective on bifocal intraocular lenses.

April 13, 2006

Analysis of:The Beginning of a New Era: Bifocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) | aaophp.aao.org

I think that too much has been made of the advantages of these lenses.  There are many unhappy patients and surgeons and there are almost no surgeons who do not remove a significant number of these lenses.  The market for these lenses wikll contract as more news comes out about unhappy patients.

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