For many years, the only method that could permanently correct vision, other than glasses and corneal contact lenses, was laser surgery. With the advent of IOLs for crystalline eyes, patients now have the option of Visian ICL (Implantable Intraocular Contact Lens). 1. The principle of refractive lens treatment for myopia Compared to traditional corneal surgery that irreversibly thins the cornea, Visian ICL has many advantages. IOL ICL is an implantable lens, similar to a contact lens lens made very small and put into the eye, and does not damage the human eye’s own lens and works together with it, rather than replacing its own lens. Therefore, post-operative vision recovery is fast and myopia is good. 2. Visual quality Compared with traditional laser correction surgery, one of the main advantages of Visian ICL is that the visual quality of patients can be significantly improved after implantation of the lens. ICL imaging in the eye is closer to the retina and the corneal morphology does not change, so ICL achieves better visual quality than keratomileusis, with lower higher order aberrations after surgery. The patient’s vision is quickly restored. This advantage is especially evident in patients with high and ultra-high myopia. 3. The range of refractive lens treatment The range of myopia that can be corrected or reduced with IOL for crystalline eyes is 50-1900 degrees (with or without astigmatism). Some of these patients are not suitable for excimer laser surgery. The results of clinical studies on refractive correction show that post-operative results are predictable and stable because ICL implantation does not require any structural changes to the eye. 4. Is the surgery painful and will it leave scars on the eyes? The procedure of IOL implantation in crystalline eyes is derived from cataract surgery and requires good cataract surgery skills. The incision required to implant a collapsible Visian ICL is small, no more than 3mm, and is located in the peripheral zone of the cornea, invisible to the naked eye. After the lens is implanted, no sutures are usually required and the incision closes on its own. The procedure is much simpler and can be completed by an experienced surgeon in less than 10 minutes. The anesthesia used for the surgery is surface anesthesia (anesthetic eye drops), and some patients who are particularly nervous can have local anesthesia on the side of the bulb. No pain is felt in the middle of the surgery, and there may be a slight swelling pain. 5. Where is the refractive lens ICL placed in the eye? Can other people notice that the Visian ICL is implanted in the posterior chamber of the eye, behind the iris (pupil), so that neither the patient nor anyone else can see the lens. Furthermore, the position of the lens in the eye maintains normal iris function, improves stability and reduces potential complications. Because of its transparency, only an ophthalmologist can detect the implanted lens through a microscope. 6. What is the composition of ICL? Will it deteriorate and become cloudy in the eye? The material used to make Visian ICL is Collamer, a lens material unique to STAAR Surgical, which is based on collagen and therefore has excellent biocompatibility in the eye and achieves excellent optical properties.3 There have been no international reports of intraocular changes due to the nature of ICL crystals. Visian ICL has undergone more than 15 years of research and development to improve its lens design and has become a leader in IOL technology for the crystalline eye. Over 100,000 Visian ICL implantations have been performed worldwide. 7. How long will the results last after surgery? These considerations for corneal surgery do not apply to the Visian ICL implantation procedure, as no natural tissue is removed or altered (shaped) during the implantation procedure. patients rarely experience adverse reactions after ICL surgery, and when they do, the lens can be removed and/or replaced if necessary. Patients may also need to wear glasses for certain activities or may experience reactions such as nighttime glare and halos, but to a degree that does not interfere with life and work. 8. Major complications of refractive lens ICL surgery (compared to laser refractive surgery) Patients who undergo corneal refractive surgery such as LASIK and femtosecond may experience adverse reactions related to corneal surgery, such as dry eye and corneal thinning. Because the cornea is cut during LASIK surgery, complications can be more difficult to manage than those that may occur with Visian ICL. In many cases, a keratologist will need to be called for treatment of LASIK-related adverse reactions. All procedures carry risks, however, adverse reactions or complications associated with Visian ICL can generally be managed by the surgeon himself. Now that you have learned about some of the benefits of Visian ICL, you may wish to learn more about the use of this lens as an alternative option to laser corrective surgery