Over 1 million Visian ICL lenses have been successfully implanted in people unsuitable for laser eye surgery

 

1. Introduction

The Visian ICL® (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a soft, flexible lens implanted inside the eye to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, and in some cases hyperopia (farsightedness).
It is an alternative to laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK and PRK.

 

2. What Is the Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL is:

• Made of collamer, a biocompatible collagen-copolymer material

• Placed behind the iris and in front of your natural lens

• Invisible to others and not felt by the patient

• Removable if needed

It improves vision by focusing light properly onto the retina, similar to how a contact lens works — but from inside the eye.

 

3. Brief History

• Developed in the 1990s and used worldwide for more than 20 years

• FDA-approved in the United States in 2005 for myopia

• Later approvals included toric versions for astigmatism

• Over 1 million lenses have been implanted globally

• High patient satisfaction rates reported in long-term studies

 

4. Who Is a Good Candidate? (Indications)

Your eye doctor may recommend the Visian ICL if you have:

• Moderate to severe myopia (approx. –3.0D to –20.0D, depending on model)

• Astigmatism (Toric models)

• A stable glasses prescription for at least 12 months

• Sufficient anterior chamber depth and healthy endothelial cell count

• Dry eye issues that make LASIK/PRK less suitable

• Thin corneas that are not ideal for laser procedures

• Desire for a reversible, less tissue-altering vision correction option

The ICL is generally recommended for ages 21–45, but this may vary based on evaluation.

 

5. Who May Not Be a Candidate? (Contraindications)

ICL may not be suitable if you have:

• Very shallow anterior chamber

• Low corneal endothelial cell count

• Uncontrolled glaucoma or high eye pressure

• Recurrent eye inflammation or infection

• Significant cataract

• Pregnant or breastfeeding (temporary precaution)

Your ophthalmologist will perform several measurements to confirm safety.

 

6. Benefits of the Visian ICL

✔ High-quality vision

Patients often report crisp, sharp vision and excellent night-time quality.

✔ No removal of corneal tissue

Unlike LASIK/PRK, the cornea is untouched.

✔ Reversible

The lens can be removed or replaced if needed.

✔ Fast recovery

Many patients see significant improvement within 24 hours.

✔ UV protection

The collamer material provides built-in ultraviolet protection.

✔ Suitable for strong prescriptions

ICL can correct higher levels of myopia than most laser procedures.

✔ Good for dry eyes

Because it does not alter the cornea, it does not worsen dryness.

 

7. What Happens During the Procedure?

1. Pre-operative testing
   Measurements of eye length, internal depth, corneal cells, and prescription.

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1. Surgery day (about 10–20 minutes per eye)

   • Local anesthetic eye drops are applied

   • A tiny incision is made

   • The lens is inserted and positioned behind the iris

   • The incision usually seals naturally without stitches

2. Post-operative care

   • Use of eye drops (antibiotic + anti-inflammatory) for several weeks

   • Follow-up visits to check lens position and eye pressure

 

8. Risks and Possible Complications

Although the Visian ICL has a long safety record, all eye procedures carry some risks:

       Common / Temporary

• Halos or glare at night (often improves with time)

• Mild discomfort, redness, or dryness

• Temporary increase in eye pressure

       Less Common

• Cataract formation (especially if the lens touches the natural lens)

• Elevated eye pressure or glaucoma

• Infection (endophthalmitis) — rare but serious

• Incorrect lens size requiring lens exchange

• Rotation of toric lenses (astigmatism correction)

• Inflammation inside the eye

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       Long-term considerations

• Monitoring endothelial cell count over time

• Future cataract surgery is still possible; the ICL can be removed beforehand

Your surgeon will explain your specific risk profile based on your eye measurements.

 

9. Expected Results

Most patients achieve:

• 20/20 or better visual acuity (depending on initial prescription)

• Rapid improvement the first day or two after surgery

• High satisfaction, even in very high prescriptions

Glasses or contact lenses may still be needed for reading later in life (presbyopia).

 

10. When to Contact Your Doctor

Seek urgent evaluation if you experience:

• Sudden decrease in vision

• Severe eye pain

• Light sensitivity, flashing lights, or floaters

• Persistent nausea or headache (possible high eye pressure)

 

11. Summary

The Visian ICL is a proven, long-term vision correction option for patients with moderate to severe myopia or astigmatism who may not be ideal candidates for laser eye surgery. It offers excellent visual quality, is reversible, and generally has a fast, comfortable recovery — but, like all surgeries, carries risks that must be discussed with your ophthalmologist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For more information please visit www.dicovericl.com

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