Why the Visian ICL is a Groundbreaking Procedure

Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center

Love the idea of no longer needing glasses or contact lenses? It may be easier to achieve than you think!

Imagine a lens that sits inside your eye instead of on the surface like a contact lens. That’s the idea behind the revolutionary Visian ICL.

It’s an implantable lens designed for nearsighted individuals and those with astigmatism. Unlike other laser correction procedures, the Visian ICL doesn’t remove anything from your eye or reshape it in any way.

Instead, it adds a tiny refractive lens implant that enhances and improves the vision you already have. Choosing the Visian ICL enables you to see clearly without glasses or contacts.

The implant is intended to be permanent, but you can have it removed at any time if you choose. Keep reading to learn more about the Visian ICL and what makes it groundbreaking!

What is the ICL in the Visian ICL?

ICL stands for Implantable Collamer Lens. Collamer® is a collagen copolymer that contains a small amount of purified collagen.

Your body creates collagen, making it the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons and holds the body together.

The body produces collagen, which serves a protective function. You’ll also find synthetic collagen used in cosmetics and for medical applications such as repairing body tissues.

The collagen used is similar to the collagen found in your cornea. Using a collagen copolymer is an integral part of why you can have the Visian ICL seamlessly implanted in your eye.

The Unique Properties of Collamer

Collamer is a material that’s unique and proprietary to the Visian ICL. In addition to the purified collagen, the lens also uses a material similar to what you’d find in soft contact lenses.

Collamer is a biocompatible material, meaning it won’t react to anything in the eye. Being biocompatible makes collamer safe for the most sensitive eyes.

The Visian ICL also contains an ultraviolet light filter, which offers UV protection similar to what you’d find in sunglasses.

Benefits that Go Beyond Better Vision

One other key benefit of the Visian ICL is an important one. Unlike other vision correction procedures like LASIK, having the Visian ICL put in your eye won’t cause dry eye syndrome. Having dry eyes is one of the most common temporary side effects of LASIK patients.

With Visian ICL, you don’t give anything up. Instead, you gain convenience, security, and clear, sharp vision.

The Visian ICL is an option if you want a life free of glasses and contacts and the life you’ve always wanted to live. Since its FDA approval, the Visian ICL has been implanted in over a million patients. Its appeal is only growing as it increases in popularity.

How the Visian ICL Works

Having the Visian ICL is an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll have it and leave the same day. Your surgeon at Manhattan LASIK Center will make a small incision in the eye.

As the Visian ICL is a unique foldable lens, the incision for the implant is tiny. After unfolding the lens, it is placed in front of the eye’s natural lens, right behind the iris.

The procedure is quick and minimally invasive. After a few hours, you’ll be able to go home to recover. You’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you there.

Is the Visian ICL Right for You?

The only way to know if you’re a good candidate for the Visian ICL is to schedule a consultation at Manhattan LASIK Center. However, these are some factors that go into determining if someone will qualify for the Visian ICL.

You should be between 21 and 45 years old, have mild to severe myopia (-3D to -20D), astigmatism, or both. Your vision needs to be stable for at least one year, meaning your prescription hasn’t changed.

You should not be pregnant or nursing; if you are, you must wait at least three months after you stop breastfeeding before having the Visian ICL implanted.

The Visian ICL is an alternative to other refractive vision correction procedures like LASIK and PRK. If your extreme nearsightedness makes you a poor candidate for LASIK, the Visian ICL may be an option.

A Permanent (and Reversible) Solution

Once implanted, the Visian ICL will remain in place without maintenance. While the intent is permanent vision correction, it can be removed by your eye doctor in the future if necessary.

Many patients find this option to be a breath of fresh air, especially if they need to have their natural lens removed to have cataract surgery in the future. If and when you have the Visian ICL removed, you will lose the benefits of nearsightedness vision correction.

What to Expect When You Get the Visian ICL

The procedure itself usually takes less than half an hour. You’ll lie on your back and receive numbing eye drops to ensure you can’t feel any pain. You may also receive a mild sedative to help you relax. 

Since you can’t feel any pain, you should experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Your surgeon will make a small incision and use a lubricant to protect your cornea.

Through that incision, they will insert the folded Visian ICL into the eye, where it will be unfolded and positioned correctly. After this point, you’ll have eye drops or ointment placed in your eye, which an eye patch will cover.

You’ll be monitored for a few hours in a recovery room until you are well enough to have a friend or family member drive you home.

What to Expect During Your Recovery

You may be prescribed eye drops or medication to reduce pain. The next day, you’ll see your eye doctor for your first follow-up appointment to ensure that your eyes are healing well.

Recovery is rapid because the incision is smaller than other vision correction procedures. It may take a day or two before your sight stabilizes, but this is normal during the recovery process.

Making the Right Choice for Your Sight

The Visian ICL may be the perfect solution for correcting your nearsightedness and astigmatism and will offer the same freedom from glasses and contacts. If your vision drastically changes, it’s a procedure that you can reverse at a future date. If you dream of visual freedom, why not consider the Visian ICL?

Find out if the Visian ICL could be right for you by scheduling your appointment at Manhattan LASIK Center in Westchester, NY, today!