Frequently Asked Questions about the Visian ICL™
To help you determine whether you might be a good Visian ICL candidate, STAAR® Surgical Company has provided useful Visian ICL information, including the answers to the following frequently asked questions:
How do I know if I am a suitable Visian ICL candidate?
Candidates for the Visian ICL are between 21 and 45 years of age, suffer from myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism* or hyperopia*, 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.
Nearly anyone seeking clearer vision may be a Visian ICL candidate, including those with special or extreme vision correction needs. Consumers should contact a qualified Visian ICL doctor for more information, including an assessment of their candidacy.
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?
A trained ophthalmologist will insert the Visian ICL 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 the 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 60,000 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.
More Visian ICL information is detailed on our corrective eye surgery clinical results page.
Does it 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.
What type of procedure is involved in implanting the Visian ICL?
The surgical procedure to implant the Visian ICL is simple and nearly painless.
As a Visian ICL candidate, your doctor will prepare your eyes one to two weeks prior to the procedure by using a laser to create a small opening in the colored part of your eye which lies between the lens and the front chamber of your eye. This allows fluid to pass between the two areas, thereby avoiding the buildup of intraocular pressure following the treatment.
The implantation procedure itself takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, though you will have to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.
You can expect to experience very little discomfort during the Visian ICL implantation. You will undergo treatment while under a light topical or local anesthetic, perhaps with the addition of a mild sedative. Following surgery, you may use prescription eye drops or oral medication. The day after surgery, you will return to your doctor for a follow-up visit. You will also have follow-up visits one month and six months following the procedure.
Although the Visian ICL requires no special maintenance, you are encouraged to visit your eye doctor annually for check-ups following the Visian ICL procedure. Additional Visian ICL information regarding ICL eye surgery and its follow-up care is available.
Can the Visian ICL be removed from my eye?
Although the Visian ICL is intended to remain in place permanently, a certified 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.
Where can I get further information about the Visian ICL?
If you are a potential Visian ICL candidate who is interested in obtaining further Visian ICL information, you should contact a qualified Visian ICL doctor. Physicians should contact STAAR Surgical Company, the maker of the Visian ICL, to learn more.
If you think you might be a Visian ICL candidate, visit our Locate a Doctor page to find a physician skilled at the Visian ICL implantation procedure in your area. Physicians interested in further Visian ICL information should contact STAAR Surgical Company using the form below.
Visian ICL Glossary
When researching Visian ICL, you may encounter unfamiliar terminology related to this and other products and procedures. For your convenience, the Visian ICL Glossary defines many of the ophthalmic terms used throughout this website.