The Visian ICL™ (Implantable CollamerLens) is a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) used in refractive surgery for corneas that are not ideal candidates for LASIK. The Visian ICL™ does not replace the eye’s natural lens as the IOL’s used during cataract surgery do. Instead, the ICL™ is placed between the iris and the natural lens during a 10-minute procedure similar to no-stich cataract surgery. The effectiveness and safety of the Visian ICL™ implantation procedure has been proven with thousands performed worldwide. Cataract and corneal changes occur in a small fraction of cases. Unlike corneal refractive surgery, implantation of the Visian ICL™ does not permanently change the eye’s structure. This is because the phakic IOL is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye where it works with the natural lens to correct vision. Unlike in refractive lens exchange, a young patient’s eye with the ICL can focus and does not become dependent on glasses. ICLs take refractive surgery beyond the limits of LASIK.
