Implantable Contact Lenses

ICL In Dallas, Texas

If you have severe myopia (nearsightedness) and have not been considered a good candidate for LASIK in the past, here is some great news.The Visian® Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure is a successful alternative to LASIK.

LASIK changes the shape of your corneas by removing small amounts of corneal tissue in order to correct vision. means that you still have your natural focusing ability. The Visian® Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure involves the implantation of a collamer (collagen-based) lens, without the removal of your eye's natural lens, allowing you to maintain your natural, up-close focusing ability. The Visian ICL is inserted through a tiny incision and carefully positioned behind the iris and in front of your natural lens. Once implanted, the Visian® ICL is only visible with a microscope. It is almost like wearing it on the front surface of the cornea. This FDA approved procedure is safe, and, unlike LASIK, it is reversible; the Visian® ICL can be removed or replaced at any time.

The procedure

• Eyedrops are used to increase size of pupil temporarily (for the Visian ICL).
• Local anesthetic is given to numb your eyes’ surface.
• The Visian ICL is inserted through the tiny incision, into its position behind the iris and in front of the lens. It’s folded up when inserted, but unfolds after it’s in position, and needs no stitches.

Afterwards

• You might feel some mild scratchiness at first but will not feel the lenses themselves
• You’ll need to wear an eye shield for a short while to protect your eyes from pressure or touching
• Rest for the remainder of the day
• You can drive and return to work the next day
• There’ll be a follow-up visit the next day, and several more to be scheduled

Advantages

Unlike contact lenses, these implanted lenses never need to be removed for cleaning. And unlike LASIK surgery, they are reversible. They can be removed if necessary.

If you’d like to know more about these lenses, please contact us at Carter Eye Center. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and work with you to see if they’d be your best option for vision correction.