19th Century Science Powering Today’s Vision Technology (Kamra Inlay)
Since its first discovery in the 16th century, variations of the pinhole camera have been used by humans to explore the world around us. From allowing the first astrologists to safely study solar eclipses to their academic role as a scientific experiment for elementary students, this lens-less camera has found diverse uses. In recent years, however, this fundamental concept of photography has received a modern upgrade and transformed into an innovative solution of presbyopia – farsightedness.
The Magic Behind the Camera
Part of the pervasiveness of pinhole photography lies in its unique ability to generate the camera obscura effect. This natural optical phenomenon occurs when a small hole is made at one end of a light proof box and delivers the inverted image on the opposite side of the box. In its earliest forms, camera obscura was used by astronomers to study the nature of light without looking directly at the sun. By the 1880’s, the principle behind pinhole cameras was applied to modern photography and attempts were made to capture moving images with the concept.
Today, the pinhole camera concept has found a new application in treating farsightedness. Typically considered a sign of aging, the condition is very common and affects over 114 million people in the United States alone. However, the pervasiveness of the condition does not mean that all individuals must resign themselves to a fate of holding their phones father away from their face to read incoming messages. In recent years, KAMRA inlay surgery has helped countless individuals regain their eyesight.
KAMRA Inlay Surgery: Ancient Concept with Modern Applications
Designed to improve near vision and eliminate the need for corrective eyewear, KAMRA Inlay is the first corneal inlay to gain FDA approval for vision correction. As the name suggests, the device is a thin, ring-shaped implant placed within the corneal layer of the non-dominant eye. At the center of the implant is a small pinhole, which allows only focused light to enter the eye much like a 19th century pinhole camera. During the 20-minute procedure, this “aperture” is placed right in front of the pupil, creating the camera obscura effect. This ultimately increases the individual’s range of vision and enhances the focus of near objects.
As the inlay is only placed in one eye, patients who receive treatment maintain distance vision in both eyes while restoring their ability to see things close-up. This offers patients several key benefits beyond restoring everyday vision. With the KAMRA Inlay, individuals can enjoy a natural range of vision without the need to invest in bifocals or readers. Given the highly durable nature of the implant, patients receive a solution that provides long-term, nearly perfect vision for many years. In comparison to traditional laser therapy that corrects one eye for distance and the other for near vision, KAMRA Inlays are a physical corrective that stays within the eye, offering longer lasting results.
Get Rid of Reading Glasses – Schedule your Consultation
At Will Vision, we believe that it’s hard to experience life unless you see it with your own eyes. If you’re tired of remembering your reading glasses or dealing with contacts, contact the team at Will Vision and Laser Centers Vancouver and explore your treatment options.