The procedure may differ somewhat in the various clinics but in general it is as follows:

• You visit a candidate patient meeting and/or you read all about the implantation
• With the aid of a pre-examination it is determined if you are suitable for a lens
• You sign a consent form
• You receive the treatment
• You return the following year for a couple of check ups

Information meetings 
It is extremely important that you are fully informed about all the aspects of the implantation of the Artisan or Artiflex lenses. For this reason the majority of the eye hospitals and clinics frequently organize candidate-patient meetings. During these meetings you will be fully informed about the advantages and disadvantages of the lens implantation. In the majority of cases a consultant or an optometrist is present to answer your questions. Often you will also meet a lens wearer; you will be able to listen to her/his story and of course to ask questions.
 

Pre examination 
To determine whether your eyes are suitable for a lens implantation your eyes will be screened thoroughly. A so called pre-examination is of great importance in order to avoid possible risks.
 
It’s important to remove:

• Soft contact lenses one week prior to the examination
• Hard lenses two weeks prior to the examination

  
During this examination you’ll be invited to discuss the condition of your eyes and your health in general. The desired correction will be determined very accurately and some additional measurements will be performed like: the length of your eye, your pupil diameter and your eye pressure. It is also important to have a "close look" at your eye with the slit lamp in order to carefully characterize possible disorders. Not only superficially but also inside the eye. The examination is painless but your eyes can be somewhat irritated afterwards. When all the appropriate information is known the eye doctor will make the final decision whether your eye is suitable for a lens implantation. 

  

Informed Consent  
If your eyes are suitable for a lens implantation and you are determined to have this treatment, you will be asked to sign a consent form. The declaration will state that you:
 

• Give permission to have this treatment and that this is your free will.
• Have been informed sufficiently concerning the treatment.
• Have been informed sufficiently about the possible risks and the advantages and disadvantages of lens implantations.

After signing this consent form you can make an appointment to have the first eye treated.

Treatment
A treatment with Artisan or Artiflex lenses will only happen if the pre-examination shows that your eyes are suited for this and if you meet the other conditions.
 
The treatment takes place in an outpatient clinic. The majority of the treatment centers will treat one eye at a time. At the reception a nurse will meet you. He/she puts a drops in your eye in order to reduce the pupil size. He/she will explain the procedure with you and help you to prepare for surgery. 
 
First you will receive an injection to sedate the eye. This can be compared with a dentist situation; it might hurt somewhat. After about 15 minutes the eye is fully sedated after which the surgeon will start the implantation of the lens. A little cut is made in the cornea through which the lens is inserted in the anterior chamber. When the lens is right in front of the pupil it is attached to the iris. A little fold of iris is pushed into the clips of the lens. In this way the lens will stay in its place. The small incision is sutured, in case of an Artisan lens, and the surgery is over.
 
After the procedure, which lasts about 30 minutes, the eye is covered with an eye patch and you are ready. After this you will be taken to the recovery room for a cup of tea or coffee. A nurse looks after your well being and will inform you of what you should and shouldn't do until the next day when you come back for the first check up. 
 
Check ups
The day after the treatment you’re allowed to take off the eye patch yourself. After this you should put some eye drops in the eye so that the surgeon is able to do his check up in a clear eye later that day. You will be able to see with the eye immediately but your vision of course will not be perfect yet

Rules after the treatment :
You can start you daily activities, when you feel up to it. One or two days of rest should be sufficient before getting back to your activities.
 
In order to let the eye heal properly and to avoid complications it’s important to follow certain rules for the first few days after the treatment:

• For up to 1 week after the treatment you should sleep with an eye patch, in order to avoid rubbing your eye and to avoid contact with any bedding materials.
• You should put drops in your eyes for the first three weeks after the surgery to avoid inflammatory reaction.
• For the first few days after the surgery you should avoid doing things that increase the pressure on your eye. 
• For the first few days after the treatment you will receive tablets and drops to avoid any increased eye pressure.
• You are not allowed to wear make up the first weeks after surgery.
• You are not allowed to go swimming for the first weeks after surgery.

About three weeks after the implantation your sight will reach the optimum level. Your consultant will check your vision.

During the first year after the treatment a post check-up will take place. If you have the need for more check-ups than the standard offer, this is possible.