What are Implant Contact Lenses (ICLS)?
For a lot of men and women, LASIK or PRK refractive vision surgery is an excellent treatment choice to reduce the need for glasses or contacts and can enhance their vision. Sometimes, if patients have very thin corneal tissue or severe myopia (nearsightedness), these types of vision correction surgeries may not always be the best option.
If patients have an issue receiving LASIK or PRK, implanted contact lenses are a great, long-term solution for vision correction. Phakic intraocular lenses, also known as implantable collamer lenses or ICLs, are comparable to conventional contacts; however, we permanently place them inside the eye. We implant these specialized phakic IOLs behind the cornea and iris on top of your natural lens. If you want to learn more about this innovative eye surgery option, please schedule an appointment at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA. We have two locations in Encino or West Hills for your convenience.
What is Visian ICL?
At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our group is proud to offer Visian ICL, which helps enhance vision and reduce refractive errors. The Visian ICL is implanted in between the iris and your natural lens, meaning we won’t have to remove your natural lens thereby maintaining accommodation, which is critical for changing depth of focus.
For instance, watching TV and looking at your phone simultaneously requires the natural lens to dynamically change from distance to near. Similarly to LASIK, the ICL maintains the ability to accommodate.
As an FDA-approved implant, Visian ICL is designed to improve nearsightedness and is a safe, effective treatment choice for patients who can’t undergo PRK or LASIK.
Additionally, Visian ICL has several benefits, including:
Providing UV protection
Treating astigmatism or myopia
Offering quick recovery results
Performed in an operating room with a board-certified anesthesiologist present, sedating the patient
What Are the Benefits of Implant Contact Lenses?
Implant contact lenses installed at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley provide an outstanding option to individuals who need vision correction but do not qualify for LASIK or PRK.
Benefits of ICLs include:
Correcting a variety of vision issues
Avoiding the daily hassle of contacts and/or glasses
Participating in physical activities without worrying about removing glasses or contacts falling out
Quick treatment and fast recovery
Low risk of dry eye syndrome
Increased UV protection versus LASIK or PRK
Installation is safe and effective
Am I a Candidate for Implant Contact Lenses?
Generally, the best candidates for ICLs include patients who are 21 – 45 years old, that have moderate, high, or extreme myopia, and do not qualify for LASIK or PRK.
You should also have good overall health and no previous history of eye surgery. Unfortunately, you may not qualify for ICLs if you have diabetic retinopathy, iritis, or glaucoma. Like most eye treatments, you will need to schedule an appointment at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Encino or West Hills to determine if this surgery is right for you. We will perform a comprehensive eye exam and develop a treatment plan.
Visian ICLs are ideal for many patients, including individuals 21 to 45 with nearsightedness who have maintained a stable prescription for at least a year. Visian ICLs are not recommended for patients who are pregnant, nursing, or those with a history of eye disease.
How do Implant Contact Lenses Work?
Created with biocompatible collamer and your utmost comfort in mind, Visian ICL works in harmony with your eye. A few weeks before your surgery, we will create very tiny openings within your iris so fluid can properly flow after placing your implant. On the day of your procedure, one of our ophthalmologists will start by administering numbing eye drops. Once your eye is completely numb, the surgeon creates a small incision into the cornea, then implants and positions your Visian ICL. The procedure usually only takes around 15 minutes, and you should experience significant vision improvement after the treatment.
How Long is Recovery After Getting ICLS?
After we monitor you for a little bit, we will release you to recover at home. Over the next couple of days, you should notice significant improvements to your vision as you start to heal. Usually, many patients have no issue returning to their daily routines after a few days. During this time, it’s extremely important not to touch or rub your eyes. You will also need to attend several follow-up appointments at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley so we can ensure your eye is healing properly and monitor your vision improvement.
Implantable contact lenses FAQ
Achieve Clearer, Crisper Vision Without Glasses
With a 99% patient satisfaction rate and over 1 million procedures performed worldwide, Visian ICL is a great treatment for patients who have severe nearsightedness and don’t want to rely on prescription eyeglasses or daily contact lenses. It may also work well for patients who are not candidates for vision correction procedures, including LASIK and PRK.
Please contact Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Encino or West Hills, to schedule an ICL consultation with one of our expert ophthalmologists.
