One of the latest IOLs to be approved by the FDA is the Visian ICL™ by STAAR Surgical. The Visian ICL™ is a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens. In other words, the lens is placed behind the iris, where it is practically invisible. The Visian ICL™ is made of Collamer Lens, a proprietary collagen polymer developed by STAAR. This composite material contains a small amount of collagen, which make the lenses more biocompatible.
STAAR Visian ICL™
The STAAR Visian ICL™ boasts these advantages:
- Invisible to others because of its positioning
- Small incision needed due to foldability
- Biocompatible Collamer material used
- Can treat a wide range of prescriptions
- Over 150,000 implants performed worldwide!
Visian ICL™ FAQ
Who is a candidate for the Visian ICL™?
The ideal candidate is between the ages of 21 and 45, with moderate to severe nearsightedness (myopia). A medical history of previous eye diseases or ophthalmic surgery might disqualify some candidates.
What if a patient’s vision changes?
If a patient experiences significant changes in vision, the Visian ICL™ can be removed or replaced easily. Patients can also wear corrective glasses or contact lenses if needed. The Visian ICL™ is not intended to treat presbyopia, the need for reading glasses due to age.
Do the lenses dry out or get dirty like contacts?
No. The Visian ICL™ does not require maintenance, however, an annual ophthalmology examination is recommended.
Can the Visian ICL™ be seen by others?
No. Since the lens is positioned behind the iris, the cosmetic appearance of the Visian ICL™ completely natural.
What is the Visian ICL™ made of?
STAAR Surgical developed a proprietary material named Collamer, which is a collagen co-polymer. Because it contains a small amount of purified collagen, the material doesn't cause a reaction inside the eye (biocompatible). Collamer also contains an ultraviolet light filter, which provides additional protection against UV rays.
What is the surgical procedure?
Visian ICL™ refractive surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, however someone needs to drive the patient home afterwards. A light anesthetic is administered before surgery, and the procedure is relatively painless.
- A minute incision is made in the cornea
- The Visian ICL™ is inserted into the eye
- The lens is unfolded and positioned correctly
Some medicinal eye drops are often prescribed, and a follow-up visit is typically scheduled for the day after surgery.
Is the Visian ICL™ noticeable after surgery?
The Visian ICL™ typically cannot be felt after implantation. The lenses are not attached to anything within the eyes and do not move around after placement.
To learn more about STAAR Visian ICL™ or to schedule a vision correction consultation, please contact the New England Eye Center today.
Verisyse™ Phakic IOL
The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is used to treat moderate to severe myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness. With over 18 years of use and 150,000 procedures performed worldwide, results prove that the Verisyse™ design is safe and effective for very nearsighted people who are tired of thick glasses and are not candidates for Custom LASIK.
How Verisyse™ works
The procedure involves placing the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL behind your cornea and on top of your iris. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high-definition vision like a normal eye. Although the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired.
The word "phakic" means that your natural crystalline lens is left in the eye. This is important because your natural lens plays an important role in helping your eye adjust between seeing objects that are near and far.
About the Verisyse™ procedure
Implanting the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is an outpatient procedure that takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Usually, one eye is treated at a time.
1. Drops will be placed in your eyes in order to reduce the pupil size.
2. For better access to your eye, your doctor will use an instrument to comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure.
3. A local anesthetic is given to sedate the eye, so the procedure is virtually painless.
4. A small incision is made in the cornea for the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL to be placed in the space between the iris and the cornea.
5. The Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is centered in front of the pupil (the black part in the center of your eye), and is gently attached to the iris (the colored part of your eye) to hold the lens in place.
6. The small incision is closed with microscopic stitches that dissolve on their own.
7. A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the time just after the procedure.
How Verisyse™ looks in your eye
Diagram of an eye with the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL.
