DMEI Among First to Offer Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay Procedure

NOTICE: We were notified by Revision Optics, the manufacturer of the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, that they were going out of business and no longer distributing the inlay after January 30, 2018. DMEI encourages you to review our other elective services to see if there is another option available for you.

Aging and reading glasses often go hand-in-hand. Reading glasses are helpful, but it’s easy to misplace or forget them. Without them, it is frustrating to read text messages, a restaurant menu, or the fine print on labels.

Imagine life without these inconveniences. The Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay procedure allows you to set aside your reading glasses for good. The procedure has been newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) is proud to be among the first to offer it.

Raindrop® at DMEI

Dr. David W. Jackson, an ophthalmologist at DMEI, has learned the procedure and is excited to share his skillset with patients. As a LASIK and cataract surgery specialist, Dr. Jackson was naturally interested in the procedure.

“With the invention of corneal inlays, like the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, ophthalmologists can now correct the loss of near vision we all develop as we age,” Dr. Jackson says.

This procedure can make a world of difference for those struggling with near vision.

Loss of Near Vision

Many people begin to experience blurred vision about age 40. Typically, they notice blurriness when reading small print or when performing tasks that require near focus, like sewing.

Why do so many people need reading glasses as they age? The strongest theory is that presbyopia develops as a result of the thickening of and loss of flexibility in the eye lens as we age. The lack of flexibility makes it hard for the eye to focus, causing blurriness.

Typically, most individuals correct their vision with reading glasses or content lenses, but Raindrop® is a new solution.

Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay

Since its approval by the FDA in June 2016, Raindrop® is becoming an attractive treatment option for presbyopia. The procedure is simple but innovative. Raindrop® works by reshaping the eye’s cornea.

The procedure is similar to LASIK in that a laser is used to create a thin flap in the cornea into which is inserted a small, clear disc — called an inlay. The inlay changes the curvature of the cornea so it acts like a lens to restore clear vision. The inlay is made of soft, contact-like material and is placed in the non-dominant eye. The width of the disc is that of a ballpoint pen tip. Once inserted, the eye with the inlay works with the other eye to create one clear image.

Over the course of several weeks, patients experience continually improving vision. Vision is also clear in low light conditions.

Raindrop® is a remarkably quick, outpatient procedure. Typically, the procedure takes about 10 minutes, and patients can return to normal activities the day after.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Raindrop®?

Raindrop® is a good fit for adults age 41-65 who have good distance vision but who are constantly using their reading glasses to perform everyday tasks, like reading and texting.