Corneal inlay with concurrent LASIK may treat presbyopic myopes

There are several presbyopia-correcting corneal inlays on the market in the Asia-Pacific region, and our clinic, a high-volume commercial LASIK practice in Japan, has the most experience with the Raindrop from ReVision Optics. In fact, our center is the most experienced commercial Raindrop clinic in the world. Formerly known as the Vue+ and PresbyLens, the Raindrop is a microscopic hydrogel inlay with a 2-mm diameter and thickness of approximately 30 µm.It is placed under a femtosecond laser flap, and its thin edge allows the cornea to lay flat and seal securely. The Raindrop is comprised of approximately 80% water and therefore has a refractive index similar to the cornea; it also allows free flow of nutrients and oxygen across the cornea. Perhaps most notably, it creates a profocal cornea, ie, near vision on the visual axis with a gradual transition to intermediate and distance vision out to the periphery. Furthermore, because the Raindrop is physiologically transparent, it does not restrict the amount of light reaching the retina and is invisible to the naked eye.