Clinics now 'fitting' lens into the eye

A contact lens that can be surgically fitted into the eye is to be made available to patients at private clinics, it was announced today.

The treatment involves implanting a thin lens between the natural lens and the iris to permanently correct problems such as severe long- and short-sightedness.

The 30-minute procedure, costing about £995 per eye, is to be made available at Optimax's 11 clinics.

The Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) service is available across Europe but until now has only been used at medical research facilities in the UK.

One of the first UK patients was Ian Gray, 45, from Cornwall. He was born with progressive myopia ( short sightedness) but was misdiagnosed with a genetic condition.

By his mid-30s he had developed tunnel vision, going blind for days at a time.

On a visit to Portugal, Mr Gray visited a clinic and was told it was treatable.

In August he had the treatment and can now drive and continue his business. His guide dog is now free of his harness but remains as a pet.