Presbyopia Solution

Raindrop Near Vision Inlay

Be among the first in the Houston area to get the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay solution.

Raindrop Near Vision Inlay offers a long term solution to the natural loss of near vision caused by aging. Raindrop inlays help reshape the front of the eye to improve near and intermediate vision quickly and simply, with results typically seen within one week. The inlay is placed just below the surface of the non-dominate eye during a simple ten-minute procedure. The result: a long term solution to presbyopia.

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Raindrop Near Vision Inlay Procedure

Raindrop is a transparent, curved disc only the width of a pinhead that is inlayed within the cornea. Made of approximately 77% water and from material akin to a soft contact lens, it has similar properties and water content to the cornea.

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Great Day Houston Interview with Dr. Stewart

Dr. Stewart discusses the newly FDA-approved Raindrop Inlay for near vision correction. This revolutionary procedure eliminates the need for patients to adjust to monovision (correcting one eye for near vision and the other eye for distance). 

Clear Near Vision Is Just a Raindrop Away

Imagine having a solution to the hassle of reading glasses. The Raindrop Near Vision Inlay procedure improves near and intermediate vision quickly and simply, with results typically seen within one week.

Candidates:

  • Between 40 - 64 years old
  • Good distant vision bilaterally
  • Refraction ranges from -.50 - +1.00
  • Less than .75 of refractive cylinder
  • No history of dry eye or cataracts

Procedure Overview:

  • FDA approved
  • Performed on the non-dominant eye
  • Requires a cornea flap created by a femto laser
  • Clear inlay is placed in the center of the visual axis
  • Near vision improves significantly over the first week
  • The procedure is reversible

Ordinary Details with Extraordinary Clarity

Typical Results

On average, patients improve by 5 lines of near vision on an eye chart within one week of surgery, without the assistance of reading glasses. After two years, most patients are still able to see everyday items without the help of reading glasses:

  • 98% can read a newspaper for equivalent (20/40 or better at near distance)
  • 88% can read fine print or equivalent (20/32 or better at near distance)
  • 76% can read an email onscreen or equivalent (20/25 or better at an intermediate distance)

Prior to Surgery

If you are interested in freeing yourself from your reading glasses with a Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, go the the link below and complete the qualification questionnaire, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure.

Once it is determined that you are an eligible candidate, your eye doctor may implant a removable contact lens for five days to make sure your eyes will adapt as expected to the difference in vision.

When you are ready to move forward, be sure to schedule the procedure on a date you can arrange for someone to drive you home following the surgery. You will be prescribed a steroid eye drop that you will need to begin applying two days before surgery.

Day Of Surgery

On the day of your procedure you will be administered a numbing eye drop by your doctor, so you won’t feel any pain. During the 10 minute procedure you will be lying on your back and focusing on a light, allowing your eye to remain as still as possible. Your surgeon will create a flap in the middle area of the cornea with a keratome laser cutting device, similar to the first step in LASIK, and insert the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, then replace the flap to complete the procedure. That’s it! The eye heals itself with no need for stitches.

Post Surgery

There are some simple post procedure guidelines to assure your eye heals safely and as quickly as possible.

  • You will be required to wear an eye shield at night for up to four weeks to help prevent you from rubbing your eye while you sleep.
  • You will also be prescribed steroid and antibiotic eyedrops and will also need to use artificial tears in the eye with the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay to help minimize the risk of infection, inflammation and dry eye.

Aftercare

One of the most amazing aspects of the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay procedure is that you will be able to resume normal activities the day after, including driving!

For at least one week after your procedure, you should avoid rubbing your eyes, playing sports, wearing makeup, exercising, smoking, swimming, gardening, and being in dusty environments. It’s best to check with your eye care provider to determine when you can resume these activities.

As far as checkups are concerned you will likely see your doctor one day, one week, one month and every six months post procedure. Following the post-op check ups, an eye exam should be scheduled at least once a year, and sooner if you experience an issue with your inlay-implanted eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should consider the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay?

Age related near vision loss or presbyopia is the condition that leaves many of us reaching for reading glasses in our 40s and early 50s. Anybody who needs reading glasses for daily tasks such as using a mobile phone, reading a menu or fine print, or doing close-up work may be a candidate.

What causes this condition?

Presbyopia, or age related loss of near vision, happens when your lens loses elasticity, making it difficult to change your focus to see objects up close. Everyone - yes, everyone - will eventually develop presbyopia.

How effective is the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay procedure?

Most people who have had the Raindrop implanted see an improvement in their near vision within one week, and it continues to improve for several weeks. Patients need to use eye drops for several months for comfort and healing.

What is the inlay, exactly?

The inlay is a tiny disc, about the size of a pinhead. It is comprised of approximately 77 percent water and is placed just beneath the surface of the eye. It works by gently changing the central curvature of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye.

How long does it take?

The procedure is complete in 10 minutes, usually.

Is it painful?

Numbing drops are given for the procedure, but most patients do not experience any pain.

Does it have to be done with LASIK?

No, it is designed to be performed without LASIK. However, the procedure does require the use of an ophthalmic laser to create a LASIK-like flap just beneath the surface of the eye.

What is the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay made of?

It is a soft, biocompatible material, similar to a soft contact lens, which has similar properties and water content as the cornea.

Does it interfere with far vision?

One Raindrop Near Vision Inlay is placed in the cornea of the non-dominant eye. Both eyes work together to create one image. The near vision is improved in the Raindrop eye, while the distance is slightly affected. With both eyes working together, there is not a compromise for distance vision and patients still have a significant improvement in near vision.

Is it safe for the eye?

Extensive trials and usage show that it is safe. This was confirmed by the US FDA. Raindrop is bioengineered to facilitate the transport of nutrients and fluid to the eye.

Will people know I am wearing one?

No. It is transparent, so no one will realize there is a Raindrop® in your eye.

How does it work in low light?

Very well. Since Raindrop is transparent, 99.7% of light passes through the inlay and reaches the back of the eye where the image is processed. Raindrop performs well in all lighting conditions.

Can the inlay ever be removed?

Yes, the Raindrop can be removed and, in most cases, patients will go back to the same vision they had before Raindrop.

Schedule Your Raindrop Procedure Evaluation

Be one of the first to enjoy the benefits of this revolutionary new solution.

Dr. Colby Stewart has been selected by Revision Optics to begin using a new FDA approved device called the Raindrop Clear Inlay. This new technology offers a long-term, no-glasses solution for those suffering from presbyopia. The Raindrop Near Vision Inlay requires a simple laser procedure for a life-long benefit.

Ready to get started?

Call to Schedule Your FREE Evaluation

Call our Surgical Consultant, Yvette Gonzales at 713-558-8732 to schedule your evaluation with Dr. Stewart. 

During your free evaluation, Dr. Stewart will determine if you are a good candidate for Raindrop, explain the procedure, and schedule your surgery.