Posted by: Clear Advantage in Uncategorized on January 11, 2022

Are you nearsighted, or do you have astigmatism? When LASIK is not an option for you, there is another way to achieve visual freedom called the Visian ICL. 

With a million (and counting) lenses implanted and a 99 percent patient satisfaction rate, individuals love the difference the Visian ICL has made in their life. 

Keep reading to learn more about how the Visian ICL works and how it can give you the clear vision and freedom from visual aids like glasses and contact lenses that you deserve!

How Does the Visian ICL Work?

The Implantable Collamer Lens, or the Visian ICL, is a special lens that corrects refractive errors in the eye. Soft and flexible, the collamer that makes up the lens is a proprietary, biocompatible material. 

Collamer is close to collagen, a material that your body naturally makes. Because collamer is close to collagen, your body accepts it. If you have dry eye syndrome or have a predisposition to dry eyes, the Visian ICL is a fantastic option. 

Collamer will not cause side effects like dry eyes, which are the most common side effect that LASIK patients experience after having LASIK.

The Visian ICL and Nearsightedness

When you’re nearsighted, the eye refracts too much incoming light. The images seen are then focused on the retina instead of onto it. 

The Visian ICL ensures light bends correctly when it reaches the retina and not prematurely. Although the Visian ICL has some similarities to a contact lens, the surgeon implants it between the iris and the natural lens. Those that choose the Visian ICL keep their natural lens.

This additive technology differs from cataract surgery, which removes the natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one, called an intraocular lens or IOL. The third lens corrects the refractive error because it’s placed between the crystalline lens and the cornea.

Unlike procedures like LASIK and PRK, you can have the Visian ICL removed at any time. If you need to have cataracts removed or change your mind, you can take the Visian ICL out. 

When it comes to other vision correction procedures, this is not possible. In use for over fifteen years, this procedure is considered safe and highly effective.

What Is the Procedure Like?

Having the Visian ICL implanted is straightforward and short. It often only takes about thirty minutes to complete. It’s performed on an outpatient basis and is minimally invasive. 

Because it is an outpatient procedure, it only requires topical anesthesia, meaning you can go home after it’s over. You will need someone to drive you home, as you aren’t allowed to operate a moving vehicle after getting the Visian ICL.

Your surgeon will create a small opening in the eye to position the ICL. Patients may feel some slight pressure, but the process is painless. In most cases, patients don’t need any sutures. The incision is small enough for the eye to heal itself. 

The recovery period is brief. Most patients can enjoy their new and improved vision within a day and return to normal activities the following day.

Who Is a Good Candidate for the Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL helps those with a moderate to severe degree of nearsightedness or astigmatism. If you cannot undergo LASIK or elect not to get that procedure, there’s no reason to continue wearing contacts or glasses for the rest of your life. The Visian ICL can be a good option for you. 

In addition, if you have thin or abnormal corneas which make you a bad candidate for laser eye surgery, you may find that the Visian ICL is better for you. The ideal candidate is between the ages of eighteen and forty-five. Their refraction is also stable, so their prescription is not changing dramatically with each exam.

The Benefits of the Visian ICL

Wouldn’t you like to say goodbye to your glasses or contacts? From maintenance and cleaning to purchasing new ones, glasses, and contact lenses can be a hassle. Glasses can fog up or break while contacts dry out or tear. 

Whether you want to jump in the pool or go for a walk without your eyes drying out, glasses and contacts can hold you back. The good news is most patients with the Visian ICL achieve total visual freedom and no longer require any visual aids. 

When you no longer need these to see, you can embrace the world and be spontaneous! Now you can see clearly from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. 

Achieving True Visual Freedom

You won’t have to depend on eyewear or bother with any maintenance. Thanks to the Visian ICL, you’ll notice a significant improvement in both day and night vision. 

Some patients even report that their vision is sharper and more vibrant with the Visian ICL than with glasses or contacts. Once implanted, the Visian ICL is practically invisible and comfortable to wear. 

Patients can’t feel it, and you can’t see it, meaning the sky is the limit! You’ll no longer have to give your vision a second thought. 

Other procedures can lead to dry eye syndrome, but with the Visian ICL, you can maintain the natural balance of your eye. Its biocompatible nature works in harmony with your eyes and leaves the ocular surface intact. As a result, you can avoid needing eye drops to keep your eyes from getting dry and irritated. 

There’s one more perk built right into the Visian ICL: ultraviolet filtering. Ultraviolet light has the potential to increase your risk of developing certain eye disorders. This additional layer of protection safeguards your eyes from harmful UV rays. 

Isn’t it time to stop relying on glasses or contacts to see clearly? Schedule an appointment at Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center in Portsmouth, NH, to learn more about the Visian ICL and if it could be right for you!