One popular alternative to laser vision correction surgeries like LASIK is an Implantable Collamer Lens, also known as the Visian ICL. The ICL has many benefits over more traditional corrective procedures.
One of the most popular benefits is the fact that it’s removable. While the ICL can be permanent, as it lasts years and years, you can also have it removed. Keep reading to learn more!
How the Visian ICL Works
An ICL works much like a contact lens. Contact lenses are designed to change the way light refracts through your eye.
This corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. An ICL functions the same way, but instead of resting on the surface of your eye, it’s implanted into the eye itself, behind your iris.
Unlike a contact lens, you don’t have to change it out every day. Once it’s inserted, you can forget about it and see like normal without needing glasses or contacts.
The Visian ICL works best for patients with nearsightedness. It can correct up to -20 diopters of nearsightedness.
Procedures like LASIK can only correct up to -12 diopters. If you’re too nearsighted to undergo LASIK, the Visian ICL is a great alternative. It’s also a great alternative for patients who don’t want to commit to a permanent procedure.
A Low-Commitment Option
Elective surgery can be scary. While procedures like LASIK are safe, it’s sometimes overwhelming to think about having your eyes altered.
If you want to be able to see without contacts or glasses but don’t want to make a big commitment, an ICL is a perfect option. If you like it, you can keep it in and don’t ever have to worry about it.
The vast majority of patients who receive ICLs are satisfied as well. It has an almost 99% satisfaction rate with patients who have had it!
The ICL also has other advantages over permanent operations. It’s made from a special material called Collamer, which is made from collagen.
Collagen is a protein that exists in your body naturally. This makes the lens is more compatible with your eye as your body recognizes it as organic material.
This means minimal irritation to your eye following surgery. It also means you’re much less likely to develop dry eyes.
The whole procedure is much easier and has less recovery time than a procedure like LASIK.
Removing or Replacing Your ICL
What happens if you want to remove your ICL? There are several reasons that you may want to have it removed.
You may have a major prescription change that requires replacing the lens. Or you decide you do want to have LASIK or another vision correction procedure.
Whatever the reason, your ICL can be easily removed by an eye care professional. But the Visian ICL will also work for years without the need for maintenance.
If you don’t need to have it removed for any reason, you never have to worry about changing it out. Instead, you can enjoy endless years of clear vision with visual freedom!
Ready to experience visual freedom for yourself? Schedule an appointment at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA today!
