Staar Visian ICL

The FDA has approved the Staar Visian ICL (intraocular contact lens) at the end of December 2005. The Staar Visian ICL can be inserted through a tiny incision. For patients who are not good candidates for LASIK surgery the Staar Visian implantable contact lenses may be the best choice.

These lenses are for highly nearsighted and highly farsighted patients. Unlike in clear lens extraction, the crystalline lens of the eye is not removed so patients undergoing this procedure can retain any pre existing focusing ability. The Visian ICL is placed between the iris and crystalline lens. The advantages include no thinning of the cornea and removability.

About STAAR Visian ICL

STAAR's lenses are made of proprietary, highly biocompatible Collamer(R) material, the ICL is the only minimally invasive foldable lens of its kind approved for the U.S. commercial market. As a result of the unique foldable design, the ICL procedure allows an incision up to 50% smaller than competing technology, and its placement in the eye behind the iris provides a more aesthetically pleasing outcome.

In addition to the U.S., the Staar Visian ICL is also approved for sale in 41 countries, including the European Union and has successfully been implanted in more than 40,000 eyes worldwide.

The surgery

The STAAR Visian ICL is a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses. Made of Collamer, STAAR’s proprietary collagen copolymer, the lens rests behind the iris in the ciliary sulcus.

This unique material contains a small amount of collagen, which provides excellent biocompatibility and superior optical capability. The lens is gently folded and injected into the anterior chamber through a 3.0mm, temporal, clear corneal incision. The Visian ICL is then carefully positioned by manipulating the footplates of the lens posterior to the iris plane and into the sulcus.

Staar Visian ICL FAQ’s:

Q. What makes you a candidate for the Staar Visian ICL?
A. You must be:

Age must be over 20 years old
Have a myopia of –18D to –30D
Or have hyperopia +6D to +15D
For high myopia, a combined LASIK & ICL procedure may be indicated.

Q. How does the Visian ICL correct your vision?
A. The Visian ICL can correct myopia more than – 18 D. The Visian ICL is inserted in the eye through a 3mm incision. It is placed and positioned behind the iris. No sutures are necessary, as the opening is self healing. However 2 weeks prior to the Visian ICL surgery, two small openings are made in the iris called "iridotomy" with N-D Yag & Argon laser.

Q. Is a hospital stay required?
A. This surgery is carried out as an out–patient surgical procedure and is performed by using topical anesthetic drops. It does not require general anesthesia. The patient does not have to stay in a hospital.

Q. What is the post–operative care to be taken?
A. The patient has to put steroid antibiotic drops for 1 2 weeks after the Visian ICL surgery.

Dr. Paul Dougherty is a Los Angeles Laser Eye Surgery specialist who also is an expert with the Crystalens and Staar Visian ICL Implantable Contact Lens.
When you think of Los Angeles LASIK Surgery, think of Dougherty Laser Vision Correction.

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