VISIAN IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS (ICL)

What is the Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL is an implantable lens that is placed inside the eye for the
correction of nearsightedness.

Who are candidates for ICL?

If you are between age 21 and 45 and nearsighted, you may be a candidate. If you are not a LASIK candidate due to thin corneas, dryness or high nearsighted prescription,
you may be a candidate for ICL.

Where is the ICL placed?

The ICL is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. The ICL is meant to be a permanent correction for your nearsightedness. However, if necessary, the ICL can be removed.

What do I need to do to prepare for my ICL procedure?

You will need to discontinue soft contact lenses 5 days and gas permeable contact lenses (hard) 3 weeks before your procedure. The day of your ICL procedure you can eat or drink normally without restriction. You should also take your normal medications. You will need someone to drive you home.

What is involved with the procedure?

First, you will be required to have an eye examination, including dilation, to take the measurements of the eye. One to two weeks prior to surgery, Dr. Owczarek will perform a laser iridotomy. This laser procedure makes a small opening in the iris to allow fluid to pass from the back to the front chamber of the eye. This prevents the pressure of the eye to elevate post operatively.

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 post-operative visits for one day and
2 weeks after your surgery.

What should I expect post-operatively?

Your eye may feel scratchy (like a hair is in it) on and off for 2 weeks. Your vision should be good the next day, although it does take 2 weeks for your eye to heal. There should never be pain or worsening of your vision. If this should occur,
you need to contact our office immediately.

What are the risks involved with the ICL procedure?

As with any surgery, there is a very small risk of infection. To help prevent this unforeseen complication, your procedure will be performed in a sterile environment at our AAAHC accredited surgical center.

Being nearsighted, your risk of a retinal detachment is higher than the normal population.The risk of retinal detachment increases slightly with this procedure.

Because the ICL lens is placed near the natural lens, trauma to this lens could cause a cataract. Medical studies have shown this risk to be small.

There is a small risk that the ICL lens could close the drain of the eye, increasing eye pressure. The laser iridotomy procedure is performed 1 week before the ICL surgery to prevent this complication.

As with any surgery, these and other complications could occur. These would be treated with the appropriate medical, laser or surgical options.

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 age 40 and over 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.