EVO Visian ICL™ Implantable Contact Lens

What are the advantages of EVO Visian ICL™?

 If you are between the ages of 21 and 45 and suffer from a moderate to severe degree of nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, then you may be a candidate for this great procedure and the advantages of Sharp, clear vision ^{1, 2, 3} it provides. With 99% patient satisfaction ⁴, the benefits include:

Immediate vision improvement at all distances 

It will reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts. 

High Definition Vision

You can enjoy a new level of vision correction that’s sharper, clearer, more vivid, and has greater depth and dimension. Night driving is also improved because of its Excellent night vision 5 with no induction of halos or glare.

No Dry Eye

Because corneal nerves are not disrupted during ICL implantation, the surgery does not produce dry eyes.

Designed to be permanent, yet it can be removed easily if needed

One of the important advantages of the Visian ICL™ is that while it can permanently correct your vision, the lens can be removed and/or replaced if necessary. That’s because the lens rests behind your iris, in front of your natural lens, and works in harmony with your natural eye. 

Short Recovery Time

This outpatient procedure’s recovery for the Visian ICL™ is quick and pain-free and could be as little as one day, due to the very small size of the opening required to insert the lens. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort, and many times go back to work the next day.

UV Protection

Long-term exposure to UV radiation can damage your eyes. In fact, longer-term or more intense UV exposure increases the risk of developing serious eye disorders such as cataracts and macular degeneration. The Visian ICL™ is made of a special Collamer material that blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays from entering the eye, lowering your risk of developing UV related eye disorders.

Treatment Flexibility for the Future 

Because your vision changes as you grow older, eventually nearly everyone will need cataract surgery. An important benefit of the Visian ICL™ is that you have options for future treatments. Because the insertion of the Visian ICL™ does not alter the structure of the eye, the lens can be removed and replaced if your vision changes substantially, or if you have another procedure at any time.

They’re Biocompatible

The soft and flexible Visian ICL is made from a bio-material called Collamer that is made with purified collagen. Because of this, the ICL will not be rejected by the body as a foreign element or cause a reaction while inside the eye.

Maintenance Free

There is no daily maintenance as with traditional contact lenses, and no concern of problems from daily activities such as swimming and sports.

A very good LASIK Alternative

Patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK refractive surgery because they have thin or irregular corneas ^{6, 7}, dry eye syndrome8, very high prescriptions, or large pupils may find that they are a great candidate for Visian ICL.

What are the disadvantages of Visian ICL™?

It’s generally not covered by insurance

Like LASIK, the ICL is considered a cosmetic procedure and will likely not be covered under most insurance plans. An ICL is typically more expensive per eye than LASIK due to the fact that the implantable Collamer lenses are custom-made for each individual patient. Luckily, there are financing options and payment plans available; you can get more information about financing with our office staff.

It’s not for everyone, especially if you are over 50

The use of an ICL is primarily intended for the age group 18-50. Underage 18, your prescription and eyes are still changing. Overage 50, your natural lenses are progressively deteriorating, so a procedure called Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is more advisable.

How is the procedure performed?

The Visian ICL™ procedure is an outpatient procedure that generally takes around 15 minutes. Prior to the procedure, you will receive topical anesthesia drops to minimize discomfort. Then the doctor creates a micro-opening to insert the lens into the eye with an injector. 

Once the lens is inserted, it gently unfolds in the eye and the procedure is complete. The microscopic incision self-seals without the need for sutures. Patients experience an immediate improvement in vision right after their surgery and are “wowed” by the results.

Can the EVO Visian ICL™ be removed from my eye? 

Although the lens is intended to remain in place permanently, a surgeon can remove the implant if necessary. Although ICL’s are intended to stay in place indefinitely, it is still recommended to have regular annual aftercare appointments to ensure that the implants are in position and functioning properly and to check for premature cataract formation and increased pressure that can develop in any post-operative eye.

Is the EVO 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.

Will I be able to feel the EVO 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. 

Who is a good candidate for EVO Visian ICL™

If you are between the ages of 21 and 45 and nearsighted, you may be an excellent candidate for the Visian ICL™. This procedure is able to treat a range of patients from low to extremely high refractive errors and is especially beneficial to those with thin corneas and dry eyes. 

The Visian ICL™ can now treat nearsightedness and astigmatism at the same time. If you have both astigmatism and nearsightedness, Visian® Toric ICL may be a great option. It is preferable that the patient has not undergone any prior ophthalmic surgery and does not have a history of eye diseases such as iritis, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

Who is NOT a good candidate for EVO Visian ICL™?

At Assil Gaur Eye Institute, we always recommend you undergo a vision consultation to determine the best vision correction plan for you. If the Visian ICL™ is not right for you, other options are available. Vision ICL may not be the best course of action for:

• Patients whose eye prescription has changed significantly in the last six months
• Patients without enough posterior corneal cell density
• Patients with an anterior chamber depth of less than 3.00mm
• Patients who are pregnant or nursing
• Patients with uncontrolled dry eye or blepharitis
• Patients with corneal endothelial dystrophy

Is the EVO Visian ICL™ FDA approved?

Yes. The Visian ICL™ received approval from the FDA in 2005 for a wide range of myopic (nearsightedness) correction needs, with and without astigmatism. 

What is the track record of the EVO Visian ICL™?

Extensive research and development preceded the introduction of the Visian ICL™. It has been placed in over one million eyes worldwide. The satisfaction rate among patients is extremely high – above 99%. The Visian ICL™ provides unparalleled quality of vision and has excellent and stable outcomes for patients with mild to severe myopia. The Visian ICL™ has been available internationally for over 20 years.

Is EVO Visian ICL™ right for me?

There’s one way to know for sure, and that’s by contacting us to schedule your complimentary consultation to discover if the Visian ICL™ or an alternative vision correction procedure is right for you. 

Why choose Assil Gaur Eye Institute for your ICL surgery

When you select the Assil Gaur Eye Institute for implantable contact lens surgery, you will benefit not only from our state-of-the-art technology and our physicians’ extensive experience but also from our commitment to:

• 
  Utilizing microsurgery technology when appropriate to facilitate faster healing without sutures. This technology also minimizes astigmatism and yields better visual outcomes.
• Performing surgery utilizing just anesthetic eye drops coupled with gentle IV sedation to provide for greater comfort and safety.
• State-of-the-art dedication to your post-operative care throughout your healing and after.

Important Safety Information for Visian ICL: Before considering Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery.

1. Sanders D. Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable collaer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK) for Low Myopia. Cornea. 2006. 2. Shin, JY. Ahn, H. Seo, KY. Kim, EK. Kim, TK. Comparison of higher-order aberrations after implantable Collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guide LASEK in high myopia. J Refract Surg. 2012; 28(2): 106 -111. 3. Igarashi, A. Kamiya, K. Shimizu, K. Komatsu, M. Visual Performance after implantable Collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia. Am J Opthalmol. 2009. 4. MICL PMA data. 5. Parkhurst, GD. Comparison of Night Vision and Contrast Sensitivity in Patients Undergoing Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation or LASIK. Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO); October 19, 2010; Chicago, IL. 6. Parkhurst, G. Psolka, M. Kezirian, G. Phakic intraocular lens implantation in United States military warfighters: A retrospective analysis of early clinical outcomes of the Visian ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(7):473 - 481.7. Gimbel, Howard V et al. Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Volume 28, Issue 5 , 883 – 886.8. Naves, J.S. Carracedo, G. Cacho-Babillo, I. Diadenosine Nucleotid Measurements as Dry-Eye Score in Patients After LASIK and ICL Surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012.