Staar VISIAN ICL: Implantable Contact Lens

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Frequently Asked Questions:

The information here is provided to help you decide whether to undergo implantation of the Visian implantable contact lens for the correction of your nearsightedness. Please read this information carefully and discuss it with your Harvard Eye doctor during your qualifying consultation.

Your Harvard Eye doctor can determine if you are a suitable candidate for the Visian lens implant. However, only you can decide whether the surgery is right for you. Be sure to have all of your questions answered to your satisfaction before deciding to proceed with any eye surgery. If anything is not clear to you, the staff at Harvard Eye is readily available to provide further guidance. Our goal is always to offer the latest advancements and the highest quality of eye care to you and your loved ones.

An IOL is not required to correct nearsightedness. For instance, you may be able to wear glasses or contact lenses instead to correct your vision. Depending on the degree of your nearsightedness and other conditions of your eye, there may also be different refractive surgery options available to correct your vision including Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).

What are implantable contact lenses?

Implantable contact lenses, or phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs), are lens implants that work in the eye along with your existing natural lens to correct myopia (nearsightedness). Because the Visian implantable contact lens can correct a wider range of myopia than laser refractive procedures, it is often an excellent alternative to LASIK surgery.

What is the meaning of "phakic"?

Visian implantable contact lenses are often referred to as "phakic IOLs", which may cause some confusion when trying to distinguish between the Visian lens and another IOL. The term "phakic" refers to your natural lens being in place inside your eye. (The natural lens is also called the crystalline lens.) An eye care professional would refer to your eye as "phakic" only when your natural lens is still in place.

"Pseudophakic" refers to an eye where the crystalline lens has been replaced by a "pseudo" (artificial) lens, as is done during cataract surgery. (An "aphakic" eye would have no lens at all, either natural or artificial.) Therefore, the main difference between the Visian implantable contact lens and traditional IOLs is the fact that the Visian phakic lens works in conjunction with the eye's natural lens and a pseudophakic IOL replaces the eye's natural lens. Typically, pseudophakic IOLs are used to treat cataracts, although some now address presbyopia. The Visian contact lens was designed to treat high myopia (nearsightedness).

How do I know if I am a suitable Visian ICL candidate?

Nearly anyone seeking clearer vision may be a Visian ICL candidate, including those with special or extreme vision correction needs. Contact Harvard Eye Associates for more information, including an assessment of your candidacy.

Genereally, candidates for the Visian ICL are between 21 and 45 years of age, suffer from myopia (nearsightedness) and want to experience superior vision correction. The ideal Visian ICL candidate has not undergone any ophthalmic surgery and does not have a history of eye disease such as iritis, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have the Visian ICL implanted. Lastly, those without a large enough anterior chamber depth or endothelial cell density may not be a good Visian ICL candidate.

Where is the Visian ICL placed?

The Visian ICL is inserted through a small micro-incison, placing it inside the eye just behind the iris in front of the eye's natural lens. The Visian ICL is designed not to touch any internal eye structures and stay in place with no special care. Learn more about your Visian ICL eye surgery procedure.

What is the track record of the Visian ICL?

Prior to being placed on the market, the Visian ICL was subject to extensive research and development. Today, more than 55,000 patients worldwide enjoy the benefits of the device. In an FDA clinical trial, over 99 percent of patients were satisfied with their implant. The Visian ICL has a track record of stable, consistently excellent clinical outcomes. The lens has been available internationally for over 10 years.

Does the Visian procedure hurt?

No, most patients state that they are very comfortable throughout the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will use a topical anesthetic drop prior to the procedure and may choose to administer a light sedative as well.

What is the Visian ICL made of?

The Visian ICL is made of Collamer, a highly biocompatible advanced lens material which contains a small amount of purified collagen. Collamer does not cause a reaction inside the eye and it contains an ultraviolet filter that provides protection to the eye. Collamer is a material proprietary to Staar Surgical Company.

What if my vision changes after I receive the Visian ICL?

One advantage of the Visian ICL is that it offers treatment flexibility. If your vision changes dramatically after receiving the implant, your doctor can remove and replace it. If necessary, another procedure can be performed at any time.

Patients can wear glasses or contact lenses as needed following treatment with the Visian ICL. The implant does not treat presbyopia (difficulty with reading in people 40 and older), but you can use reading glasses as needed after receiving the Visian ICL.

Can the Visian ICL be removed from my eye?

Although the Visian ICL is intended to remain in place permanently, your Harvard Eye ophthalmologist can remove the implant if necessary.

Is the Visian ICL visible to others?

No. The Visian ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and observers. Only your doctor will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.

Will I be able to feel the Visian ICL once it is in place?

The Visian ICL is designed to be completely unobtrusive after it is put in place. It stays in position by itself and does not interact with any of the eye's structures.

What other benefits does the Visian lens offer?

Visian Convenience

Perhaps, the most sought after benefit of the Visian lens is convenience. Previously hindered by glasses and contacts, Visian patients are able to enjoy many activities more thoroughly, especially water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

With a reduced dependence on corrective eyewear, Visian patients also experience a freedom from the clutter of contact lens solutions and supplies and from having to keep track of their glasses. Unlike traditional contact lenses, Visian implantable lenses are protected from surface wear and tear, and from the dust that causes dryness in traditional contacts.

When should I plan my eye surgery?

Your vision should be stable for at least six months prior to surgery. Your Harvard Eye eye doctor should verify that your nearsightedness has not changed more than 0.50 diopters in the past six months.

Can both eyes be implanted during the same procedure?

The Visian lens implant may be implanted in only one eye at a time. Your second eye may receive an implant after your Harvard Eye surgeon determines that your first eye has healed sufficiently. It is common to perform the second eye implant surgery within 3 months of the first eye. Your ophthalmologist will discuss this with you in detail.

What results should I expect?

Almost immediately following your Visian treatment, you should experience clearer vision. The Visian phakic IOL has a proven track record for delivering convenience, safety, and amazing results.

~ Am I guaranteed freedom from glasses or contact lenses?

The Visian phakic IOL does not stop the natural aging process of the human lens, whereby we lose the ability to "accommodate" or see both near and far without glasses. This aging process, known as presbyopia causes everyone to need reading glasses at some point in their early to mid-40s. As the Visian procedure corrects distance vision only, patients over the age of 40 will still need reading glasses after lens implantation. In some cases, you may need reading glasses after surgery even if you did not need them before.

~ Will the Visian correct my astigmatism?

It is important to understand that the Visian lens does not correct astigmatism, which can cause blurry vision. If you have moderate to high astigmatism, a second procedure, such as conventional or wavefront-guided Lasik, PRK, LASEK, or Epi-Lasik may be recommended for the correction of astigmatism. Patients with symptomatic levels of astigmatism may still need thin glasses after Visian lens implantation.

What complications are associated with the Visian implantable contact lens?

It is normal that signs associated with minor inflammation may be noticed by your ophthalmologist following your surgery. These types of symptoms usually are present after surgery because they are part of the normal healing process. However, they will decrease as time goes on, with most being completely resolved by 6 months after your implant. If your results with the Visian lens implant are not satisfactory, there may be a need for an additional surgical procedure to adjust the lens, exchange the lens or remove the lens. In some cases, you may need reading glasses after implantation of the Visian lens implant even if you did not need them before.

Is the Visian procedure safe?

Yes. Although all surgical procedures carry some risk of complications, the Visian lens has a proven track record of safety. Because Visian lenses are removable and do not alter the cornea, the occurrence of severe adverse effects is minimal. In most instances, the percentages of complications that develop with the Visian were lower than the same complications of other IOLs. Lens implant surgery is one of the most successful and commonly performed surgeries in the US.

Visian at Harvard Eye Associates:

If you are considering this form of vision correction surgery, or if you have any questions, please call Harvard Eye Associates. Our friendly staff is available to review your prescription numbers with you and schedule a full evaluation with one of our doctors if it is indicated.

Introducing the Visian Implantable Contact Lens

What is the Visian ICL?

About Your Visian Procedure

Frequently Asked Questions (this page)