Visian ICL™ - See What you've been missing

The Visian ICL: Implantable Collamer® Lens - Vision Correction for Myopia

STAAR® Surgical Company began feasibility studies for treating vision disorders with an implantable contact lens (ICL) in 1993. By 1997, the company received approval to supply its ICL vision correction device to European markets. In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) for the reduction and treatment of nearsightedness (myopia).

What Is the Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL is a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) used during refractive surgery for correcting myopia. Unlike IOLs that are used during cataract surgery, the Visian ICL does not replace the eye's natural lens. Instead, the ICL is placed between the iris and the natural lens. Because the phakic IOL does not replace the lens, but supplements it like a prescription contact lens, it is sometimes referred to as an implantable contact lens.

The Visian ICL gives another option for treating myopia. Now, patients who are seeking the latest approved procedures for vision correction or who want to avoid the permanence of laser vision correction have another choice for correction of nearsightedness.

What Makes the Visian ICL Different?

Although the Visian ICL is often informally defined as an " implantable contact lens," in the United States, the "ICL" in the Visian ICL stands for "implantable Collamer lens." This designation acknowledges the unique material that comprises the lens.

Unique Lens Composition

Unlike other phakic IOLs the Visian ICL is made from Collamer, a unique, organic lens material, designed especially for the Visian lens. This proprietary lens material has greater biocompatibility than acrylic and silicone lenses 1. The Visian ICL is also foldable, requiring a smaller incision during the surgical procedure than other available lenses.

Safe, Proven Procedure

The safety and effectiveness of the Visian ICL implantation procedure has been proven with over 55,000 implants worldwide as well as recent U.S. FDA approval. Unlike corneal refractive surgery, the Visian ICL does not permanently alter the structure of the eye. Instead, the phakic IOL is placed in the eye's posterior chamber, where it works with the natural lens to correct vision. Learn more about the Visian ICL vision correction procedure and how the ICL takes refractive surgery beyond the limits of LASIK.

Small Incision

Unlike other phakic IOLs, the Visian ICL is foldable. This feature allows physicians to implant the lens using a smaller incision. The small incision procedure is a technique that is familiar to eye surgeons. The Visian ICL requires a 2.8mm to 3.0mm incision as opposed to the 6.0mm incision required by other FDA-approved phakic IOLs. This smaller incision is seen as less invasive, does not require sutures, and is astigmatically neutral.

Removable, if Necessary

The Visian ICL is meant to stay in the eye indefinitely. However, if overcorrection or undercorrection occurs, a complication develops, or a patient's vision changes, the Visian ICL can be removed or exchanged by a trained ophthalmic surgeon.

What Is on the Horizon?

A toric model of the ICL may offer another vision correction option. The Visian TICL™ used for treating myopia (nearsightedness) with astigmatism, has been submitted to the FDA and is currently under review. Additional information on the Visian Toric ICL™ is available on the STAAR Surgical Company corporate website, www.staar.com. (Link to International TICL section is currently under construction.)

To learn more about the Visian ICL, schedule an appointment with a qualified myopia eye doctor or contact STAAR Surgical Company.

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1. Data on file at STAAR Surgical Company

Trademark Information.

To learn more about the ICL vision correction option with an implantable contact / Collamer lens for treating myopia, contact STAAR Surgical Company.






Visian ICL Glossary

When researching Visian ICL, you may encounter unfamiliar terminology related to this and other products and procedures. For your convenience, the Visian ICL Glossary defines many of the ophthalmic terms used throughout this website.

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