Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

• Age between 21 and 45 years

• Have Myopia (-4 to -20 sphere) with or without Astigmatism (1 to 6 cyl)

• Stable glasses number for more then a year

• Adequate anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell density

• Has not undergone any ophthalmic surgery and does not have a history of eye disease such as iritis, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

• Should not be pregnant-as the spectacles power may fluctuate during that time

The surgical procedure to implant the ICL is simple and painless.

Pre op: For correct ICL selection of each eye, we first do a detail checkup in OPD including corneal and anterior chamber measurements. These measurments are sent to the company which makes your accurate customized lens .The delivery of these lense takes few days to few weeks depending on the power /astigmatism. Once we receive the lens , the implantation procedure itself takes about 15 minutes and is performed on a day care basis, though you will have to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the hospital. You will undergo this procedure under a light topical or local anesthetic. Following surgery, you have to use prescription eye drops for few weeks. The day after surgery, you will return to your surgeon for a follow-up visit and can resume most of your routine work.

Many patients who compare the side effects of laser refractive eye surgery and implantable contact lens complications decide that the benefits of the ICL far outweigh the rare risks associated with it. Because implantation of the lens does not physically change any part of the cornea or other part of the eye, side effects such as halos and glare are almost nonexistent. Also, should any problems with the lens arise, the Phakic ICL is easily reversible by removing the lens.

The principle of all phakic ICL available commercially is same with slight variation in design and material. The ICL are biocompatible and designed to stay life long in eye. There are options of both Indian and international brands . For spherical numbers of spectacles ,the ICL are available in few days time while the astigmatic correction (TORIC ICL ) may take few weeks for lens to be custom made and delivered to us. Quite a few modifications have been done in the design and material of these lenses over past few years to improvise their quality and optical performance

One advantage of the Phakic ICL is that it offers treatment flexibility. If your spectacles power changes dramatically after receiving the implant, your surgeon can remove and replace it. If necessary, another procedure can be performed at any time.

Patients can wear glasses or contact lenses as needed following treatment with the ICL. The implant does not treat presbyopia (difficulty with reading in people 40 and older), but you can use reading glasses as needed after receiving the ICL.

Yes ,it can be removed by simply explanting the lens if necessary.

No. The ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and observers. Only an ophthalmic surgeon after careful examination of eye will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.

There is always some small degree of risk associated with any surgery, and refractive procedures are no different- Complications are rare, but could possibly include natural lens or corneal damage, inflammation, temporary increase in intraocular pressure, bleeding, and scar formation. In rare cases, there may be an increase in eye pressure. If this occurs, a surgeon may quickly remedy the problem with additional medications or rarely surgical intervention. There is a remote possibility of developing opacities in the natural Crystalline Lens, requiring surgical intervention, wherein we remove the ICL ,operated on the cataractous lens and implant a intraocular lens in same sitting. Hence the rare complications if any are all manageable with the paerson still being glasses free majority of the times.