What is Visian® ICL™?

What is Visian® ICL™?

Some people are familiar with the artificial lenses implanted after cataract surgery. These take the place of a cloudy, damaged lens. Visian® ICL™ does not require the removal of your natural lens. Instead, it helps your lens bend light, focusing on the retina, and giving you clear vision. It works for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, even for people with significant refractive errors (those who need a large adjustment of the light entering the eye). It also provides an option for people with very thin or unusually formed corneas who cannot have laser vision correction. 

How Does Visian® ICL™ Work?

Visian® ICL™ is an Implantable Collamer Lens. It uses a biocompatible collagen material that makes it as safe as a permanent implant inside the eye. Your surgeon will use topical eye drops to numb your eye, then insert the Visian® ICL™ lenses on top of your natural ones. No part of the lens or cornea needs to be removed, and each eye takes ten to fifteen minutes. As light passes through the Visian® ICL™ lenses, it is bent to a correct angle. After traveling through your natural lens, light now falls where it should. 

What is Recovery Like From Visian® ICL™?

Most people will have vision clear enough to drive within about 48 hours of surgery. To prevent infection or swelling, you will need to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for four weeks after your procedure. You may have some irritation for a few days, but be careful not to rub your eyes. Swimming is not recommended for a few weeks after surgery.

What are the Benefits of Visian® ICL™?

Visian® ICL™ was designed for people with a higher degree of refractive error or those needing a more significant amount of correction. However, it offers several other benefits besides vision correction:

• Protects the eye from UV light
• Can be left in place permanently
• Gives you excellent night vision
• Less risk of dry eye problems
• Rapid recovery
• Works for people with thin or misshapen corneas

Am I a Good Candidate for Visian® ICL™?

Even if you are not a good candidate for laser vision correction, you may be a good candidate for Visian® ICL™. This biocompatible lens requires a minimal incision and can give you a lifetime of better eyesight. Even people who have had cataract surgery and have an artificial lens in place may be good candidates for Visian® ICL™ to give them enhanced vision correction.