Visian ICL: Safe, Effective Eye Correction for a Lifetime

Visian Implantable Contact Lens

As a corrective lens wearer you are probably aware of the different solutions for correcting your eyesight, but have been reluctant to commit to any of the more invasive methods that remove or modify corneal tissue. Instead you have stuck with the nuisance of taking off or putting on your glasses or putting in or taking out contacts. There is, however, a safe solution that allows you a lifetime of freedom from worry and gives you the option to toss those annoying corrective lenses.

Trust in Innovation and Experience:

Dr. Ilan Cohen is an innovator in the field of Implantable Contact Lens surgeries having performed thousands of successful laser procedures. He also performed the very first ICL surgery and is the most experienced ICL surgeon in the tri-state area. As a New York ICL surgeon, Dr. Cohen is pleased that the 5th Avenue Eye Center is the only center to offer the option of doing both eyes on the same day for his patients.

As a fellowship trained cornea and refractive surgeon, Dr. Cohen is the surgeon that other surgeons refer their LASIK complications to. As a leading innovator in his field, both patients and surgeons turn to him for his skills and expert advice.

Advantages of the Visian ICL Procedure:

The ICL procedure itself utilizes a biocompatible collamer that poses no risk of rejection by the body. It provides the likelihood of a lifetime of clear vision with no required maintenance. And unlike other surgical corrective procedures, Visian ICL is a reversible procedure that only requires the removal of the collamer lens in a minor outpatient surgery.

Safe and Effective, ICL has a Track Record with an over 99% Success Rate.

Whether you have a large prescription, dry eyes, irregular or very thin corneas, Visian ICL is suitable for you. In fact, many candidates who have been rejected for LASIK procedures may qualify for the Visian ICL. And unlike LASIK, ICL does not modify or remove corneal tissue.

The Visian ICL Procedure:

The procedure to implant a Visian ICL is relatively quick and easy for patients and requires very little downtime for healing. The procedure typically takes about 15 minutes and no more than 30 minutes. An anesthetic is applied to numb your eye area and a mild sedative may be given to relax you. The procedure is typically pain free. During the procedure a small, self-healing incision is made in your eye and a gel-like substance is injected. Next, the Visian ICL is inserted between your crystalline lens and the iris. The gel-like substance is removed at the end of the procedure. This is an outpatient procedure, and you can leave the office within a few hours. A follow-up appointment the next day is required. You may need to use eye drops and a protective shield during the healing process. Over-the-counter medication can be used to treat any minor pain associated with recovery. Most patients will notice optimal results within the first week after the procedure though improved vision should be immediate. In some cases, one eye may be corrected at a time if both eyes are myopic.

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

Anyone who is nearsighted (myopic) and interested in vision correction surgery could be a good candidate for phakic IOLs. At the Fifth Avenue Eye Center, Dr. Ilan Cohen will evaluate your eyes to determine if your refractive error can be successfully treated with phakic IOLs. The best candidates have had no prior ophthalmic surgery or ophthalmic disease. The evaluation process involves measuring your level of refractive error as well as the size of the anterior chamber in the eye where the lens implant will be placed. Prime candidates for a Visian ICL will have between 3 to 20 diopters of myopia and enough room between their eye’s natural crystalline lens and iris to accommodate the lens implant. Those who have been disqualified as candidates for laser eye surgery because of high refractive error or dry eyes may be qualified for Visian ICLs.

Is It Safe?

As a leading NYC ICL provider, we provide the highest level of safety in our procedures. Visian ICL is safer and more advanced than the Verisyse IOL. Comparatively, Visian ICL uses a soft flexible lens whereas the Verisyse IOL uses a hard inflexible lens. The self-healing Visian ICL incision is smaller than the Verisyse IOL incision. Finally the Verisyse IOL procedure places the lens much closer to the cornea than the Visian ICL procedure. This closeness can result in the lens clawing onto the eye or possibly being dislodged if your Iris dilates at night.

Unlike other NYC ICL centers, we perform all surgeries at the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital where the calibration of the machines is strictly regulated. This further ensures the success and safety of your procedure.

Potential Complications of ICL Surgery:

Just like any refractive surgery, ICLs can produce complications as well. These complications, however, tend to be less common than with laser eye surgery and can be more easily corrected. For example, overcorrection and undercorrection are potential complications of both ICL procedures and LASIK and PRK surgeries. With an ICL, overcorrection is corrected by simply replacing the lens implant with a different one with a better prescription. With LASIK and PRK, this complication may require additional laser eye surgery or the use of glasses or external contact lenses to remedy. Other risks for ICLs include infection, increased intraocular pressure, damage to the natural crystalline lens, retinal detachment, vision loss, and vision disturbances like halos, glare and double vision. When you visit the Fifth Avenue Eye Center, Dr. Ilan Cohen will discuss the potential complications of the procedure with you. It’s important to understand that the success rate of Visian ICL procedures is above 99 percent, however. Complications are rare and typically easily treated. The vast majority of those who have had Visian ICL surgery are very pleased with their results and would highly recommend this procedure to others.