The newest technologies to increase precision and safety of vision correction procedures includes Presbyopic Implant in Eye (PIE). Here, specialist Rajeesh Khanna of Khanna Vision Institute addresses patients’ most frequently asked questions about the procedure.
Q. What is PIE?
A. Presbyopia Implant in Eye are special lenses made to fit inside the natural lens. Each is custom designed using nanotechnology. They are biocompatible so your eye will not reject them. Made of silicon or acrylic, the FDA-approved PIE lenses include Restor, Technis Multifocal, Symfony, Crystalens and Trulign. Be careful of others such as tetraflex and Softec HD, which are not FDA approved presbyopic implants.
Q. Is PIE better than LASIK?
A. Lasik works on the static cornea to yield monofocal vision. In youth, the natural lens is still flexible and can change shape and allow one to see at intermediate and near distances, but the story changes for many in their 40s when the natural lenses have accumulated baggage in the form of fibers, which are added every year.
Q. Is PIE an option for people younger than 45?
A. In certain selected cases, such as with cataracts or for those with short eyes and very high numbers.
Q. Does PIE surgery help glaucoma?
A. Yes, it reduces the pressure of the eye. PIE implants are 6 to 7 times thinner than the natural lens, thus causing less obstruction of the outflow channels.
Q. Is PIE permanent?
A. Yes, it is a permanent surgery. Even though one may be 20/20 right away, the vision keeps improving with time. It is amazing to see that after nine years vision is even better than in Year One.
Q. Is PIE the same as cataract surgery?
A. No. While PIE evolved from cataract and Lasik eye surgery, the two are distinct. As an analogy, there are many cars, but only one Tesla Model S. Similarly, “cataract” is a generic term, whereas “PIE” denotes a specific procedure.
Q. Are PIE and refractive lens exchange similar?
A. No, they are not. The beauty of PIE is that we do not remove the lens. Instead, we make an opening in the natural lens and vacuum out the contents. The new PIE is placed in this natural space where it can stay safely throughout one’s life.
Q. Are fine tunings important with PIE?
A. They are the distinction between an ordinary painting and a Picasso. Many people believe putting the PIE implant in is the end-all. Sadly, they are mistaken. PIE is an outcome-dependent procedure.
Q. Can those who have had Lasik or Radial Keratotomy still be eligible for PIE?
A. Yes! An experienced PIE surgeon can free you of misery of glasses after Lasik and RK.
With insurance covering the procedure in selected cases, easy monthly installment plans, and a lifetime guarantee, PIE is one of the best long-term investments one can make.
To learn more about PIE, call the Khanna Vision Institute at 310.896.4944 or visit KhannaInstitute.com. Khanna Vision Institute is located at 31824 Village Center Road # F, in Westlake Village.
