INTRODUCTION

The Visian ICL implantable contact lens is one of the latest technological advancements in vision correction. The Visian ICL, like LASIK, is used to correct focusing errors of the eye (i.e. nearsightedness), but is intended for patients for whom LASIK is not a viable alternative, such as those with thin corneas, chronically dry eyes, or extreme focusing errors (i.e. contact lens or glass prescription is outside the treatment range for LASIK).

The Visian ICL implantable contact lens is composed of a unique highly biocompatible soft polymer called Collamer. Collamer is a collagen copolymer soft lens material. Given that the cornea (the primary lens of the eye), is comprised of collagen, Collamer provides excellent biocompatibility and optical quality. Unlike traditional contact lenses, the Visian ICL once implanted in the eye requires no additional maintenance. Over 100,000 Visian ICL lenses have been implanted worldwide with phenomenal success and thus, the Visian ICL implantable contact lens has a well established safety record.

HOW THE EYE FUNCTIONS

The eye functions much like a camera. In the same way that a camera utilizes a lens to focus light onto film in order to produce a picture, our eyes utilize lenses to focus light onto the film of the eye called the retina. The retina then sends the light images to the brain for processing through the optic nerve. The end result of this intricate processing of light rays is eyesight.

Unlike a camera, however, the human eye uses two lenses working together to focus light onto the retina. One of the lenses, the cornea, is located on the outside of the eye.  The other lens, the crystalline lens, is located on the inside of the eye.  The cornea is the primary lens of the eye, and does 80% of the focusing of light onto the retina.  The crystalline or internal lens does the remaining 20% of the focusing of light.

In order to see clearly, light has to come into sharp focus on the retina (the film of the eye). Nearsightedness is a condition in which light entering the eye comes into focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina.  Nearsighted individuals see well up close, but see poorly at distance without corrective lenses.

 

Nearsighted

 

 

Currently, the Visian ICL implantable contact lens is only approved to treat nearsightedness and is considered when an individual is not a good candidate for LASIK. The Visian ICL is ideal for those individuals with thin corneas, dry eyes, or high levels of nearsightedness (i.e. their contact lens or glass prescription approaches the limit of what can be treated with LASIK). Unlike a traditional contact lens, which is placed on the outside of the eye on top of the cornea, the Visian ICL is placed inside the eye to correct for nearsightedness.

 

VISIAN ICL IMPLANTABLE CONTACT LENS PROCEDURE

The implantable contact lens procedure only requires the use of anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye and a very light sedative. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to insert the Visian ICL lens in both eyes. The Visian ICL is made of an extremely soft biocompatible co-polymer that is designed to be tucked behind the iris and vault over the natural crystalline lens in the eye. Once implanted, the Visian ICL lens is unnoticeable, and there is no way for anyone other than a trained professional using a high powered microscope to see that the Visian ICL lens is in place.

 

Visian ICL Tucked Behind Iris	Implanted Visian ICL

 

 

THE VISIAN IMPLANTABLE CONTACT LENS PROCEDURE STEPS

 

Step 1:   A very small self-sealing corneal incision is made.

 

Step 2:   The Visian ICL has been designed to be easily inserted through the small corneal incision using an injection cartridge. The tip of the injection cartridge containing the prefolded ICL is introduced into the eye, and the ICL is slowly inserted.

 

Step 3: As the ICL is advanced from the cartridge into the eye, if slowly unfolds until it assumes final plate configuration. After the ICL has been completely released into the eye, it is seated on top of the iris supported by its four footplates.

 

Step 4: The final step in the procedure entails tucking the four lens footplates beneath the iris.

 

WATCH VIDEO ANIMATION OF THE VISIAN ICL PROCEDURE

 

At the Flowers Vision Institute all patients undergoing the Visian ICL implantable contact lens procedure receive an extensive preoperative evaluation to insure surgical success.  Dr. Charles Flowers is an experienced refractive surgeon, who utilizes the most advanced surgical techniques and technology to provide his patients with excellent visual outcomes.  Currently, Dr. Flowers performs Visian ICL procedures using topical (“eye – drop”) anesthesia and self-sealing incisions, and the entire procedure is completed in about 20 to 30 minutes, and visual recovery is rapid.  Call the Flowers Vision Institute today if you have been told that your cornea is too thin, your eyes are too dry, or the amount of nearsightedness you have is outside the range for LASIK.

 

Click here to go back to the Procedures Page