Natural Vision for Everyday Living™
When your near vision deteriorated, your everyday routine changed dramatically. Simple activities like reading the care instructions for your clothes, checking the time on your wristwatch, viewing the control panels in your automobile or being able to tell the difference between shampoo and conditioner became frustrating tasks. Suddenly, you found yourself dependent on reading glasses. And, the glasses are never close by.
If you want visual freedom and less dependency on reading glasses, it’s time to discover how the KAMRA™ inlay can restore your everyday, walk-around vision.
Change is constant. Your struggle with near vision loss doesn't have to be. The innovative KAMRA™ inlay can reduce your dependency on reading glasses while maintaining your distance vision. Live with the visual ease, convenience and clarity your active lifestyle demands. Because life has so much more to offer than the constant search for reading glasses.
Sooner or Later, Everyone Faces Near Vision Loss
Whether you have enjoyed "perfect" vision until now or you have worn glasses for years due to myopia or farsightedness, the KAMRA™ inlay may be able to help.
Sharp, clear vision is the result of light rays passing through the cornea, pupil and lens and focusing directly upon the retina. If the cornea is not round or if it is too curved or too flat in relation to the length of the eye, vision will be blurry. The light rays will focus either in front of or behind the retina and result in "refractive errors," such as presbyopia, nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Presbyopia
- Presbyopia (prez-bee-O-pee-uh) is the clinical term for the loss of near vision
- Affects us all by the time we are in our 40s to 50s
- Over time, the eye’s natural lens becomes too stiff to focus up close
- Words and other nearby objects become blurry
How the KAMRA Inlay Works
Understanding the KAMRA™ inlay
The AcuFocus KAMRA inlay (formerly the AcuFocus ACI corneal inlay) is an implant designed to reverse the effects of presbyopia and restore near and intermediate vision.
The KAMRA inlay is an opaque circular micro-disc with a small opening (1.6 mm) in the centre. Additionally, there are 8,400 high precision, laser etched micro-openings along the surface of the inlay to help maintain a healthy cornea. 
When placed in the cornea, the small opening in the center of the KAMRA inlay blocks unfocused light and only allows focused light to reach the retina. With focused light rays, you can enjoy a wider range of improved vision for all distances – near, far and in between. The small-aperture technology is a superior alternative to options that use a multi-focal approach.
This microscopic ring has nearly ten years of research and development behind it. Furthermore, the KAMRA inlay received CE mark in 2005 and is now available in Europe and Asia.
The technology and research behind the inlay give you the peace of mind you need to take control of your near vision loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the inlay work?
Who can benefit from the KAMRA inlay?
The KAMRA inlay is ideal for individuals who have lost their near vision due to presbyopia and desire to do everyday activities without reading glasses. Presbyopia (prez-bee-‘O-pee-uh) happens to almost everyone in their 40s or 50s when the eye's natural lens becomes too stiff to focus up close.
What benefits does the inlay provide?
The KAMRA inlay restores visual freedom by reducing your dependency on reading glasses while maintaining your distance vision. You'll notice improved clarity when performing everyday activities, such as reading a text message, laptop screen, food label, price tag or receipt.
Will my eye look different once the inlay is in place?
The inlay is very discreet. It is smaller than a contact lens and lighter than a grain of salt. Even in blue eyes, it is very difficult for you or other people to detect.
Your Recovery - will I notice an immediate improvement?
Your visual recovery will depend on your personal healing patterns. While some patients see an improvement within the first week, you may require additional time.
How much of an improvement can I expect?
The amount of near vision improvement varies by individual. However, most patients can expect their near visual acuities to improve an average of three lines or more. To maximize your results, it's important to avoid reading glasses and use your eye drops as prescribed after receiving the inlay.
Will I still need to wear reading glasses?
The goal of the inlay is to reduce your dependency on reading glasses. The level of spectacle independence you achieve will vary. You may still require readers if you are working in dim light, performing a near task for a prolonged period of time or attempting to read tiny print. When your eyes are tired or your tear film is insufficient, you may choose to wear reading glasses to help alleviate strain.
How can I achieve the best results once the inlay is in place?
- Avoid your reading glasses! Constantly reaching for your glasses for up-close work only delays the amount of time it takes to experience near vision improvements.
- Practice reading without glasses. Your doctor may provide "tips" on how to retrain your brain to use the KAMRA inlay eye. In the beginning, you may want to try reading materials printed in a larger font size and progress to smaller font sizes over time.
- Use artificial tears as prescribed. If you experience blurry or fluctuating vision, you may have an ocular surface condition. It is important to use your artificial tears often to ensure your eye remains healthy, and you will see better with a good tear layer.
Possible Visual Symptoms
What are the most common side effects?
Your eye care provider will thoroughly discuss all of the potential risks and side effects with you prior to surgery. In general, the most common side effects include ocular surface changes, glare, halos and night vision disturbances. These are the same conditions you would experience after laser eye surgery. Over time, these conditions are expected to resolve or lessen.
What are the symptoms of halos?
Halos can vary in size and appear as a circular cloud around a light. Halos are typically the same color as the light.
What are the symptoms of glare?
If you experience glare, the objects in your field of vision will appear to be in fog or behind a veil, especially when looking towards bright lights.
What causes night vision disturbances?
If you experience halos and/or glare, you may have difficulty driving or seeing at night.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Symptoms may include blurry vision, double vision, ghost images, sensation of having something in your eye, or light sensitivity. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms, but you should still use your eye drops as prescribed. Your doctor will perform tests during your follow-up appointments to check for any changes.
Is it normal to experience blurry vision?
Yes, some blurry vision is normal during the first nine to 12 months. This is often a sign of changes to the ocular surface, inadequate tear film, strain or the adaptation process of the brain and eye relearning how to work together. Use artificial tears and give your eyes frequent breaks.
Is it normal for my vision to fluctuate after receiving the implant?
Yes, this is normal and may be related to ocular surface changes, strain or the adaptation process of the brain and eye relearning how to work together. Use your eye drops and give your eyes frequent breaks from near vision tasks. Of course, you should see your doctor if your vision decreases significantly or persistently.