IMPLANTABLE CONTACTS LENS

Implantable contact lens

Implantable contact lens (ICL) is beneficial for patients with moderate to high refractive errors of more than 900 degrees, or for those who are unsuitable for laser vision correction (e.g., very thin corneas). In addition, it presents a lower incidence of night vision phenomena such as haloes and starbursts.

Made from collamer, a collagen co-polymer that is compatible with the human eye, the ICL also contains an ultraviolet filter that protects the eye against harmful ultraviolet radiation.

ICL aims to provide a higher quality of vision outcome as compared to laser vision correction, especially in patient with high refractive errors.

Careful assessment of the dimensions of the eye is needed to determine if the eye can accommodate the added volume of the ICL and to avoid potential complications such as raised intraocular pressure and the early formation of cataracts. Although the ICL is intended to be in place permanently, it may be removed if necessary.

Key advantages of ICL:

• Can correct up to -18.00 of short-sightedness, up to +10.00 of long-sightedness and up to -6.00 of astigmatism.
• Does not require thinning of the cornea as in laser vision correction.
• Better preservation of the structural integrity of the cornea.
• Should the need arise, the ICL can be removed.

The procedure

The procedure is painless and takes 15 minutes per eye. It is also reversible, allowing for further refinements and future upgrades to cope with higher prescriptions:

• A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea.
• The lens is inserted through the incision and placed between the natural lens and the iris.
• The incision closes itself and heals naturally.