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For high levels of correction, ICL has been demonstrated to obtain better visual outcomes compared to Lasik* and long term data has confirmed safety of this modality ^.
The Collamer ICL™ is an extra lens, similar to a contact lens. The difference is that the ICL is placed inside the eye, rather than on the surface of the eye. The lens is soft and tiny, much like the natural lens, but does not replace it. The ICL is specially shaped to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. The Toric ICL™ also corrects nearsightedness with astigmatism. The lens works by changing the way light is focused on the retina.
As the ICL is tiny and soft, it can be folded up so small that it can be injected into the eye in seconds through a tiny self sealing opening. Once injected, the ICL unfolds into position in the liquid between the iris and natural lens. ICL corrects the eyesight usually without any further treatment being necessary (the ICL can also be removed or replaced, if required, in another simple procedure).
The ICL is made of a unique material called Collamer®. Collamer is accepted by the eyes as not being a ‘foreign tissue’. This means that the body does not react or reject the ICL as a foreign body. Other special features of Collamer are its optical clarity and the flexibility and elasticity that allow it to be folded up and then to recover its correct shape in the liquid inside the eye.
ICLs are intended to remain in place without maintenance however patients are advised to be seen annually by their eye surgeon to ensure all remains well. If it becomes necessary, for any reason, ICLs can be easily removed by trained surgeons.
Advantages of ICL
The Collamer ICL™ is capable of correcting near and farsightedness and astigmatism with extreme precision. Since the lens does not permanently alter any structures within the eye or on the cornea, it can easily be removed if necessary. Visual outcomes for higher levels of correction are better with ICL*
The ICL is invisible and undetectable!
ICL treatment is completely unaffected if you have thin corneas, dry eyes, or large pupils, as it does not involve removing tissue from the cornea.
*Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia.
Cornea. 2003 May;22(4):324-31.
^Tsiklis NS, Kymionis GD, Karp CL, Naoumidi T, Pallikaris AI. Nine-year follow-up of a posterior chamber phakic IOL in one eye and LASIK in the fellow eye of the same patient.
J Refract Surg. 2007 Nov;23(9):935-7.
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