VISIAN ICL
HOW DOES THE STAAR VISIAN ICL™ WORK?
COLLAMER® ICL
The STAAR® Visian ICL™ is made from a unique combination of copolymer and collagen called Collamer®. This Collamer® implantable contact lens transmits light, reduces reflections and glare, and the collagen makes it extremely biocompatible.
Unlike the PMMA implantable contact lens, the Visian ICL™ is foldable, requiring a very small incision during ICL eye surgery. The folded lens is inserted through the incision and unfolds in the eye between the iris and the eye’s natural lens where it aids in focusing ability. Because the incision is self-healing and does not require sutures, recovery time is extremely short. The Visian ICL™ works with the eye’s natural lens to improve vision for those with moderate to severe nearsightedness and is completely invisible to others.
VISIAN ICL™ PROBLEMS OR RISKS
Although there are risks associated with implantation of the Visian ICL™, problems are rare and in the majority of cases treatable. A few days or weeks after the implantation procedure, patients may experience light sensitivity and difficulty with night vision, however these symptoms usually subside after healing. There is a possibility that vision may be undercorrected or overcorrected by the implantable collamer lens, and in these cases, further vision correction with refractive surgery, glasses, contact lenses, or replacement of the ICL may remedy these issues.
Through uncommon, persistent vision distortion or physical abnormalities after healing can be a sign of serious problems, and patients should consult their doctor to see what can be done to fix the problem. If Visian ICL™ patients experience severe problems and would like the lenses taken out, it is important to note that the ICLs can be safely removed. Generally speaking, the success rate with implantable collamer contact lenses is reported to be between 95 and 99 percent, with severe complications occurring in less that 1 percent of patients.