What is an ICL?
If you’ve been told that you’re not a candidate for LASIK… or if you’ve been waiting for a more advanced, safe, and effective technology that may eliminate your need for glasses or contacts–the Visian ICL, otherwise known as the implantable contact lens, could be right for you. Dr. John Papale is one of the most experienced ophthalmologists in New England performing this procedure.
The Visian ICL is an Implantable Collamer Lens that works with the eye to correct vision. Unlike traditional contact lenses that go on the surface of the eye, the Visian ICL is positioned inside the eye between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the natural lens where it stays indefinitely. If your vision changes dramatically, however, it can be removed from the eye. There have been over 375,000 patient eyes treated worldwide with the Visian ICL.
How does an implantable contact lens work?
An ICL works by bending the light that passes through the eye’s natural lens to sharpen the focus on the retina. While most intraocular lenses (IOLs) replace the eye’s natural lens to correct the patient’s vision, an ICL works in conjunction with the eye’s natural crystalline lens to permanently improve vision. Each lens is specifically selected for the patient’s unique vision correction needs, so that optimal focusing power can be achieved after one short procedure.
HOW LONG DOES THE ICL SURGERY LAST?
ICL surgery generally lasts less than 15 minutes, and patients enjoy improved vision in a number of hours. Additionally, ICLs can be removed later in life for cataract surgery.