Are you a Candidate for the Visian ICL Procedure?

The quality of your vision can vary significantly depending upon the refractive procedure you choose. For people suffering with extreme forms of myopia, the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens™ (ICL) will give you sharper, clearer vision than other refractive surgeries, including LASIK. In these cases of higher myopia, there may not be enough tissue to safely sculpt the cornea thus not allowing for Custom LASIK eye surgery.

Most patients come into our office asking for “LASIK” because they have heard the term, and do not realize that another type of procedure, such as the ICL, might give them clearer, more vivid vision with greater depth perception. For this reason, it is very important to find an ophthalmologist who can perform different types of refractive surgery procedures.

Our doctors have successfully used the Visian™ Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) that is inserted into the eye and works with the natural lens to treat myopia since its FDA approval in 2006. Unlike corneal refractive surgery, such as LASIK and LASEK, the Visian ICL does not alter the structure of the eye, or involve tissue removal. Instead, the lens is inserted inside of the eye and works with the eye’s natural optical system to enhance its performance.

What is the Visian ICL?

The Staar Visian ICL™ is the most advanced implantable contact lens available today. It is placed inside the eye to replace glasses or contact lenses for patients with nearsightedness. The Visian ICL™ is made of a unique blend of polymer and natural collagen, a substance found in the body. Because of its composition and design, it is foldable, to fit through a smaller incision, and can be placed behind the iris, for a completely natural appearance. The Visian ICL™ also offers our patients a higher level of biocompatibility than ordinary ICLs, which reduces the risk of complications after surgery.

Who can benefit from an ICL?

Implantable contact lenses are best suited to patients between 21 and 45 who have moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness). The best candidates are those who have not had any previous eye surgery and who have no history of eye diseases such as glaucoma, iritis, or diabetic retinopathy.

Why is the Visian ICL better?

An implantable contact lens can correct nearsightedness without removing corneal tissue, as is done in LASIK surgery. The Visian ICL™ is foldable, so that is can be inserted through an incision only 3.0 mm (1/8 inch) long, and normally requires no stitches. Since it is inside the eye, the Visian ICL™ provides our patients more consistent vision enhancement than external eyewear.

Are there risks associated with ICL surgery?

Any elective surgical procedure presents some risks. In ICL surgery, a small percentage of patients (1 in 200) risk developing a small cataract. If this occurs, an annual follow-up visit is recommended to check on progression or vision changes. A more remote possibility (1 in 2,000) is that of developing an infection immediately after the procedure.

What is the Visian ICL made of?

The Visian ICL™ is made of a proprietary material called Collamer. It is a blend of polymer and natural purified collagen, a substance found in the human body. The collagen content makes Collamer very biocompatible, eliminating the risk of infection or tissue rejection for most patients. The Visian ICL™ also filters out damaging ultraviolet light.

How are ICL’s implanted?

ICL implantation is an out-patient procedure; the patient goes home immediately following surgery. The patient must have a ride to and from the surgery, since medications applied before and after temporarily affect vision. For the surgery, anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye. There is minimal discomfort and no real pain for most patients. Eye drops to guard against irritation and infection are prescribed after the procedure, and the patient normally has a check-up the day after surgery.

How can I find out if I am a candidate for the procedure?

Please call our office for a complimentary consultation at 650-961-2585.
If you have other questions or concerns about Visian ICL™, visit our Mountain View area center. We will be happy to provide more details about this revolutionary procedure that provides a new alternative to patients who want to rid themselves of glasses or contact lenses.
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