What is an Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)?
Beyond LASIK, you may be a good candidate for the Visian Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). ICL is often considered for higher prescriptions. During ICL, a special contact lens is implanted inside the eye and works with the eye’s natural lens to provide excellent quality of vision for a wide range of correction.
ICL surgery is a great option for a number of patients. At OMEG, we find that a lot of our patients have never heard of ICL before. Don’t worry if that’s you! It is always nice to know that over a million ICLs have been implanted worldwide.
Visian ICL surgery has a 99% satisfaction rate, and over 1 million procedures have been performed worldwide! Patients who have ICL surgery report:
- Sharp, clear vision
- Excellent night vision
- Quick results
Important Safety Information for Visian ICL: Before considering Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
RLE is a surgical procedure that’s identical to cataract surgery. The intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery have come a long way and have created many options for vision correction. During an RLE procedure, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens.
People who have myopia, or nearsightedness, but are not candidates for LASIK may be able to have an RLE procedure. In some cases, RLE may be the better alternative for patients with myopia and hyperopia who have high amounts of correction or an abnormal cornea.
RLE may also be an alternative to laser vision correction for patients that already wear reading glasses because of presbyopia. Presbyopia is when someone loses the ability to focus at closer distances. For older adults who have presbyopia but don’t qualify for LASIK, RLE may be an ideal solution.
Is Refractive Lens Exchange Safe?
Yes. RLE is just as safe as cataract surgery. Possible complications are rare, and if they do occur, they can usually be treated successfully with medication or additional surgery.
