FREEDOM FROM GLASSES & CONTACTS
Call (303) 927-2964 to schedule your FREE consultation.What is ICL?
Implantable Collamer® Lens is a type of refractive procedure to help correct the most common visual problem, myopia or nearsightedness. Simply put it is a removable lens implant that lets patients break free from glasses and contacts even if they were not a candidate for other procedures like LASIK.
This lens-based solution has been available in the U.S. for almost 15 years and more than 1 Million procedures have been performed worldwide.
Many people choose this because it can be removed in the future if your vision changes (with age, for example).
Additional benefits include:
Sharp, clear vision
99% patient satisfaction
1,000,000 procedures worldwide
Excellent night vision
A removable, upgradable option
Quick results
Great for those with thin corneas
Does not induce dry eye syndrome
In harmony with your natural eyes
Does not remove corneal tissue
UV protection
Treats astigmatism
Visian ICL as an additive vision correction procedure
That is, nothing is removed from the eye like corneal tissue, but rather adds a uniquely designed lens made with a specialized Collamer material… which means this lens is biocompatible with your natural eye chemistry and even provides a barrier of UV protection. Many have experienced better vision than they could ever achieve through glasses or contact lenses, as well as at nighttime.
Imagine the possibilities especially for those who enjoy hiking, bicycling, piloting aircraft, photography, running a marathon or performing a triathlon, or any other athletic activity. Imagine the feeling of freedom even if one is not interested in any of those things!
What ICL patients say…
Frequently Asked ICL Questions
What is the Visian ICL?
The Implantable Collamer Lens for Nearsightedness is a refractive lens also known as a phakic IOL. “Phakic” meaning that the natural lens of the eye is in place, and “IOL” meaning intraocular lens, or a lens inside the eye. The Visian ICL is a posterior chamber implant that is situated through a small incision in the eye behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), and in front of the natural crystalline lens in order to improve your nearsightedness.
What and Who is the Visian ICL intended for?
The Visian ICL is designed for the correction of moderate to high nearsightedness (-3.0 to –15.0 diopters (D)), and the reduction of nearsightedness in patients with up to -20 diopters (D) and treatment of astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. It is indicated for patients who are at least 21 years of age. In order to be sure that your surgeon will use an Visian ICL with the most adequate power for your eye, your nearsightedness should be stable for at least a year before undergoing eye surgery.
The Visian ICL represents an alternative to other refractive surgeries including laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), incisional surgeries, or other means to correct myopia such as contact lenses and eye glasses.
Who should not have the Visian ICL procedure?
Patients who are pregnant and nursing and patients with a narrow angle in the front chamber of their eye, because in this case the space for the Visian ICL would be too small. The patient education booklet provides an additional list of conditions that should be taken into consideration when making a decision about the Visian ICL.
What is the key potential benefit of the Visian ICL?
The key benefit of Visian ICL surgery is the permanent correction or reduction of your nearsightedness allowing you to see clearly at long distances without eyeglasses or contact lenses or reduce your dependence upon them. In addition to the improvement of your uncorrrected vision (vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses), your best corrected vision (best vision with contact lenses/eye glasses) may be improved.
What is the Visian ICL made of?
The material is called Collamer®, a collagen co-polymer that contains a small amount of purified collagen which is proprietary to STAAR Surgical; the remainder is made of a similar material to that found in soft contact lenses. It is very biocompatible (does not cause a reaction inside the eye) and stable. It also contains an ultraviolet light filter.
What is the history of the Visian ICL?
Prior to being placed on the market, the Visian ICL was subject to extensive research and development. Today, more than 1,000,000 lenses have been implanted worldwide. In a US clinical study, over 99 percent of patients were satisfied with their implant. The Visian ICL has a track record of excellent clinical outcomes. Additionally, the lens has been available internationally for over 15 years.
Can the Visian ICL be removed from my eye?
The Visian ICL is intended to remain in place without maintenance. The Visian ICL can be removed by your eye care professional if needed in the future. If your physician removes the Visian ICL, you will lose the benefit of your nearsightedness correction.
Is the Visian ICL lens visible to others?
No. The Visian ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and others. Only your eye care practitioner will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.
Will I be able to feel the Visian ICL once it’s in place?
The Visian ICL is not typically noticeable after it is implanted. It does not attach to any structures within the eye and does not move around once in place.
Where can I get further information about the Visian ICL?
If you are a potential Visian ICL candidate who is interested in obtaining further Visian ICL information, you should contact a qualified Visian ICL surgeon. Physicians should contact STAAR Surgical Company, the maker of the Visian ICL, to learn more.
What is involved in the Visian ICL procedure?
The Visian ICL surgery is performed on an outpatient basis which means that the patient has surgery and leaves the same day. The procedure itself usually takes 20-30 minutes or less. The patient will need someone to drive them home on surgery day. A light, topical or local anesthetic is administered. There is very little discomfort during or after surgery. Some eye drops or medication may be prescribed and a visit with your eye care professional is usually scheduled the day after surgery.
What are the potential risks of the Visian ICL?
Early complications reported the first week after Visian ICL surgery include: Visian ICL removal and reinsertion at the time of initial surgery, shallowness of the front chamber of the eye that can create an increase of the pressure into your eye and may necessitate a peripheral iridectomy (a procedure where a small hole is placed in iris (colored part of eye) using a laser called “YAG laser), temporary corneal swelling (edema) and transient inflammation in the eye or iritis. Complications after 1 week include: increase in astigmatism, loss of best corrected vision, clouding of the Crystalline lens (cataract), loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea responsible for the cornea remaining clear (endothelial cell loss), increase in eye pressure, iris prolapse, cloudy areas on the crystalline lens that may or may not cause visual symptoms (crystalline lens opacities), macular hemorrhage, subretinal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, secondary Visian ICL related surgeries (replacements, repositionings, removals, removals with cataract extraction), too much or too little nearsightedness correction, and additional YAG iridotomy necessary.
What are risks of Refractive Eye Surgery in general?
Potential complications for refractive surgery in general include: irritation of the conjunctiva (white part of eye), corneal swelling (outer layer of eye), eye infection, significant glare and/or halos around lights, blood/pus in the eye, lens dislocation, macular edema, (swelling in back of the eye), non-reactive pupil, pupillary block glaucoma resulting in raised eye pressure, irritation of the iris (colored part of the eye), severe inflammation of the eye and loss of the vitreous (gel in back of eye). You should carefully review all benefits and risks of Visian ICL surgery with your eye care professional before making a decision about the Visian ICL.
What are the key points to remember?
Follow all of your eye care professional’s instructions before and after implantation of the Visian ICL. Take any prescribed medication and schedule all recommended follow-up visits with your eye care professional, usually on an annual basis after the healing of the Visian ICL surgery. Contact your eye care professional immediately if you should experience a problem.