Implantable Contact Lens
If you are nearsighted or farsighted implantable lenses are a reversible alternative to laser surgery. A Lens implant is an additional lens added into the eye. It is not a replacement of the body's own lens so patients do not lose the ability to focus on objects at close distances (accommodation).
Phakic lens implantation is an intraocular procedure that has been used since 1996. Marsden Eye Laser Clinic suggests phakic implants only when other less invasive procedures such as laser are not suitable.
ICL – Implantable Collamer Lens
If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism implantable lenses are an alternative to laser surgery. An ICL is an additional lens added into the eye. It is not a replacement of the body’s own natural lens.
Marsden Eye Laser Clinic choose to use the best ICL lens availability worldwide called the The Visian ICL. The lens is a soft, flexible lens that is positioned in your eye behind the iris (coloured part of the eye) and in front of your natural lens.
About the lens implant:
The Visian ICL implant has over 20 years of use and 2,000,000 procedures performed worldwide. Results prove that the Visian ICL lens design is safe and effective for very nearsighted, astigmatic or longsighted people who are tired of thick glasses and are not candidates for laser vision correction surgery. The ICL works in harmony with your natural eyes to provide exceptional quality of vision. By not reshaping the corneal tissue, ICL procedure does not induce dry eye syndrome which may occur after laser eye surgery.
How the ICL procedure works
The procedure involves placing the Visian ICL lens behind your iris and in front of your natural lens. This gives your eye another focusing lens that provides high-quality, high- definition vision like a normal eye. Although the ICL procedure is intended to be permanent, the procedure is reversible if desired. The word “phakic” means that your natural crystalline lens remains 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 (accommodation).
About the ICL procedure:
Implanting the Visian ICL IOL takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Plan to be at the surgery centre for 2-3 hours.
- A local anaesthetic is given to numb the eye so the procedure is virtually painless.
- Drops will be placed in your eyes in order to enlarge the pupil size.
- A speculum will be placed between your eyelids to open your eye and prevent blinking.
- A small incision is made in the cornea for the ICL lens to be placed in the eye.
- A temporary shield will be placed over your eye to protect it during the time after the procedure.
After Your Surgery
Immediately after surgery, your vision will be blurred, usually lasting 24-48 hours. You may experience tearing and a mild foreign-body sensation.
- We recommend you go home and rest or go to sleep after your procedure.
- The next morning your vision will be improved.
- Following the procedure, you will need to:
- Use the eye drops as prescribed;
- Be careful not to rub or press on your eye;
- Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary; Avoid very strenuous activities until the eye has healed;
- Wear eye shield as advised by your Doctor.
For the first two weeks after your procedure, please do not rub your eyes, do not go swimming, do not wear eye makeup and please avoid dusty environments, contact sports or long overseas air travel.
You can generally return to work 2 days after the ICL procedure.