It is a film-like, mini ring with an opening in the center. The inlay is positioned within the first few layers of the eye known as the cornea. Smaller and thinner than a contact lens, it has proven to be a safe and lasting solution to restore everyday near vision. The inlay is generally placed in the non-dominant eye. The other eye is left untouched.

• It restores everyday vision so you can see text messages, a computer screen and the time on your wrist watch without reading glasses.
• The inlay provides a natural range of vision, from near to far.
• It offers long-lasting performance to help you enjoy clear near vision over time.

No. The inlay restores near and intermediate vision while maintaining distance vision.

The KAMRA inlay is ideal for active people over the age of 45 who have good uncorrected distance vision, but are unable to focus clearly on near objects or small print and dislike using reading glasses. They have healthy eyes without dryness or cataracts, and need reading glasses with +1.00 to +2.50 diopters of power. Good candidates consider their loss of near vision a disability, are cosmetic or lifestyle motivated, easy going and adaptable, and willing to participate in the recovery process. They also understand that there may be times when additional magnification is needed for small print, to see in dim light, or to perform near tasks for an extended period of time.

Yes. If your distance vision needs to be improved, LASIK can be done to correct it. Then, after an appropriate healing time, the KAMRA inlay treatment can be done. The fee for KAMRA inlay is reduced when treatment is done within 6 months of LASIK laser vision correction.

When you are young, the lens in your eye is stretchy and flexible. But with age it stiffens and becomes less elastic. As a result your lens cannot adjust focus from far to near so close objects become increasingly blurry. To compensate, you move objects further away to see them more clearly. This is why you start holding reading materials at arm’s length. The clinical term for this condition is presbyopia (prez-bee-‘O-pee-uh) and it eventually happens to everyone.

No. The KAMRA inlay is a lasting solution to presbyopia. However, the eventual development of cataracts may require cataract surgery. The KAMRA inlay does not accelerate the natural development of cataracts. But if undergoing cataract surgery results in a change of your prescription, laser vision correction could be needed to maintain optimal vision.

Yes. The most common treatment is corrective eyewear—reading glasses or contact lenses. Monovision with contact lenses or laser vision correction is another option. Monovision corrects one eye for distance and one eye for near. However, as the impact of presbyopia increases, monovision must be enhanced. Although some people easily adapt to monovision, many do not.

The KAMRA inlay is comprised of a proven biocompatible material called polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) that is frequently used in a wide variety of eye and other medical implants. Only 6 microns thick, it has 8400 tiny holes that allow the normal flow and passage of corneal nutrition. The inlay has been carefully tested and implanted safely in many thousands of eyes.

The KAMRA inlay is one-third the size of a contact lens and much thinner.  It measures 3.8 mm in diameter with a 1.6 mm opening in the center. The inlay is one-tenth the thickness of a sheet of paper—as thin as a red blood cell.

No. Unlike a contact lens, the inlay is placed within the first few layers of the cornea (the clear part of the eye) so you will not feel it.

Most patients report that the inlay is not visible. However, in bright light, it may be visible from the side—especially in people with light colored eyes.

The inlay is designed to help your eye focus light so near images and text look clear again. Right after the inlay is implanted you may experience some dimness in the implant eye. However, using both eyes, little to no dimness should be noticed.

No, the inlay will not affect your side or peripheral vision.

No. It is implanted within the first few layers of the eye and does not move.

The company’s earliest inlay was implanted in 2002 and many improvements have been made over the years. KAMRA is now the number one prescribed corneal inlay in the world.

Yes. If you are not satisfied with you new vision, the inlay can be removed. The global removal rate is less than 2%.

The procedure takes less than 15 minutes. Numbing drops are placed on the eye to make sure you are comfortable throughout the treatment. You will feel some pressure while the surgeon uses a laser to create a small pocket within the first few layers of your eye, but this only lasts a few seconds. Once the inlay is positioned within the pocket, the procedure is complete.

Our surgeons use the Ziemer femtosecond laser. This laser has highly advanced technology and numerous benefits over other femtosecond lasers in the marketplace.

When the numbing drops wear off, your eye may feel irritated or scratchy. You may also experience excessive tearing and light sensitivity. We will provide medications to help you manage these symptoms and we encourage you to go home and sleep for a few hours to rest your eyes.

We will thoroughly review potential side effects with you before surgery, but the most common include dry eye, glare, halos and night vision disturbances. These are the same conditions that patients can experience with LASIK laser vision correction. If they are noticed, they are expected to resolve or lessen over time.

Your recovery will depend on your personal healing patterns. While some patients see an improvement within the first week to a month, most may require additional time.

As with any surgery, follow-up appointments are very important. Your doctor needs to follow your progress. While we do not anticipate any post-operative issues, some can only be detected by special assessments and may otherwise go unnoticed.

Yes, it is common to experience these symptoms on and off during the first 3 to 6 months. This is often a sign of dry eye or your brain adapting to the new vision. Use your eye drops as prescribed and give your eyes frequent breaks. If the condition persists, contact your eye doctor for a consultation.

The amount of near vision improvement varies by individual. However, most patients can expect their near vision to improve an average of three lines or more on an eye chart. This enables them to do everyday activities such as read a menu or send a text message.

Most patients are able to resume normal activities and return to work within 24 hours.

The goal of the KAMRA inlay is to reduce your dependency on reading glasses. However, you may still need magnification if you are working in dim light, performing a near task for prolonged periods of time, or reading tiny print.

You can aid your healing process by using post-operative medications and artificial tear drops as prescribed. You can accelerate your visual recovery by not using reading glasses when performing near tasks.

If you have undergone another kind of eye surgery, you may still be a candidate for KAMRA. A full assessment is needed to determine if you qualify for treatment.

Yes. If you have had either of these surgeries, but are frustrated with the need for reading glasses, the KAMRA inlay may be an option.

If you develop a cataract, our surgeons can remove your clouded natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens implant. Unless your prescription changes, your inlay will continue to provide excellent near vision. It’s important to note that the inlay should not increase any risks associated with having cataract surgery.

Several conditions can arise after treatment including infection, dry eye, glare or halos, reduced or fluctuating vision and night vision problems. But if these occur, they are usually temporary and resolve with time.

Yes, depending upon the results of your clinical evaluation.

One benefit of the KAMRA inlay is that it leaves future enhancements and treatment options available to you because it can be surgically removed.

You may still be an excellent candidate for KAMRA inlay. To determine if you are eligible, your eyes will need to be assessed by your eye doctor. If you do get the inlay, it is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations when managing your symptoms.

Our fee for KAMRA inlay treatment is $3750 and includes an in-depth consultation and comprehensive eye exam, pre-surgery testing, and 1-day post-operative exam. This is in addition to the important before and after-surgery care provided by your referring doctor.

Yes. Your family optometric physician will charge a fee for the important care they provide. Your doctor will:

• Evaluate your vision to determine if you are a good candidate
• Perform numerous eye tests and share the results with the surgeon
• Perform several follow-up exams
• Monitor key aspects of your vision during your recovery to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome

We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and CareCredit.

CareCredit is one of the nation's top medical financing providers. Payments can be less than $93 per month and it takes only minutes to apply. You can select the terms that best suit your budget. Click here to apply or call CareCredit at 800-365-8295 at least a week before surgery. When asked for the business name or doctor's last name, enter or say Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute.

Yes. If your employer offers a Flex Spending Account (FSA) that allows you to have some pre-tax dollars set aside each month from your paycheck to pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance, this is a good time to use it. By not paying taxes on this money, you can substantially increase your spending power. Ask your employer for more details.

To get started, talk with your family optometrist or call 800-884-7254 and speak with one of our knowledgeable surgery counselors. Our counselors can answer your questions, review treatment details and send you a package of information. You can also click on "Get Started" in the top right corner of this window to contact a counselor by email.

No. Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute is a highly respected referral center and patients are accepted for treatment on the recommendation and referral of family eye doctors. We work closely with over 1700 optometric physicians from Alaska to New Mexico. If you do not have a family optometrist, we can help you find one.

Your family eye doctor will:

• Evaluate your vision to determine if you are a good candidate
• Perform numerous before-treatment tests and share the results with the surgeon
• Perform important follow-up exams at prescribed intervals to ensure proper healing
• Monitor key aspects of your vision during your recovery to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome