Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) The ICL is an intraocular lens (IOL) used to correct spectacle power (refractive errors-myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism).The phakic ICL is placed inside the eye between iris and the natural lens without any surgery on it.

• Provides High Quality of Vision & ensures stable vision in long term
• Comfortable short procedure done as a day care procedure with quick recovery time (can resume normal activities from next day)
• Can correct wider range of myopia (-4.0 to -20 d) & astigmatism( 1to 6 d)
• Biocompatible – Biologically quiet in eye due to Collamer copolymer composition.
• Small Incision / Foldability fast recovery.
• Removable – Does not permanently alter the eye's structure or shape -One of the important advantages of the ICL is that while it can permanently correct your vision, in the unlikely event that an ICL patient experiences negative side effects after surgery, the lens can be removed and/or replaced if necessary. Also, concerns involving the cornea typically do not apply to the ICL, as no natural tissue is removed or changed (reshaped) in any way during implantation
• Ideal for patients where Lasik was refused ,for example due to thin cornea or very high numbers.
• Performance Clinical trial patients reported over 99 percent vision satisfaction

Patient Selection: Are you a good candidate for 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
What type of procedure is involved in implanting the Phakic ICL?

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.



IPCL V2 Phakic ICL



New EVO Visian ICL with centraflow



Visian ICL implanted in eye

Are there any Advantages over Laser Refractive Surgery-LASIK?

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.

Are there different type of phakic ICL available?

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



Phakic Implanatable contact lens in eye for correcting high glasses numbers



Slit lamp pic of phakic ICL in eye over natural lens



Phakic ICL with peripheral iridotomies - these PI are not required in newer generations of ICL now

What if my refractive error changes after I have undergone ICL implant in short or long term?

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.

Can the Phakic ICL be removed from my eye?

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

Is the ICL visible to others?

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.

Are there any risks or complications associated with the procedure?

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.