VISIAN IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS (ICL)

What is the Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL is an implantable lens that is placed inside the eye to correct nearsightedness. The ICL is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. It is designed to be a permanent correction for nearsightedness.
If you are over age 21 and are nearsighted, you may be a good candidate.

What can I expect?

When you come in for your consultation, your measurements will be taken and your eye will be prepared for the procedure. This will include discontinuing your contact lenses. Soft contact lenses should be out for 5 days and gas permeable contact lenses (hard)
for 3 weeks before the procedure.

The day of your ICL procedure you can eat or drink normally without restriction. You should take your normal medications and be prepared to have someone to drive you home.

The ICL implant procedure is performed using eye drops to numb the eye. A small incision (less than 3 millimeters) is made so that the ICL implant can be folded and inserted into the eye. The incision is small and self-sealing, requiring no sutures. The total procedure time is about 15 minutes. There is usually only mild discomfort during the procedure.

What will I need to do after my ICL procedure?

You will need to put eye drops in your eye for 2 weeks post-operatively. Also, you will
be wearing an eye shield at bedtime for 2 weeks. You can resume your normal
activities the next day. We will schedule your a post-operative visit
one day after your surgery and again 2 weeks later.

What about reading glasses?

Presbyopia is a natural aging process of the eye that reduces the focusing of the eye up close for reading. Those over age 45 may require the use of reading glasses. The ICL lens is designed to improve your distance vision and does not correct presbyopia. Thus, those over age 40 may still need reading glasses with the ICL lens.