Intra Ocular Contact Lenses (more info)

Many individuals wishing corrective surgery for their vision may have prescriptions that are outside of the range that the excimer laser can treat safely. For these patients we can offer an alternative type of surgery that can allow for the implantation of a corrective lens into the interior of the eye. During a short out patient procedure Dr. Fox can implant a variety of lenses that can correct vision without the use of the laser. We can offer our patients both the VISIAN STAAR lens and the VERISYSE AMO lens as treatment alternatives.

As it is with all intraocular surgery, ICL procedures are performed in the hospital setting making use of local anesthesia and light sedation.

If you have always wanted Lasik, but have been told that you are not a candidate because you are too nearsighted or your corneas are too thin, your answer could be hereÑthe Visian ICL. With the ICL we can now help many people who we previously could not help see without their glasses and contact lenses.

The Visian ICL is an implantable lens made of a soft biocompatible material similar to that of a soft contact lens. Unlike a contact lens, the ICL is positioned inside of the eye behind the iris( the colored part of the eye ) and in front of the natural crystalline lens. In this position the ICL remains invisible and corrects vision without inducing many of the optical aberrations that can occur when the laser is used to treat higher prescriptions.

You are a good candidate for the Visian ICL if you are between the ages of 21 to 45, have between -3.00 to -20.00 diopters of myopia and no more than -2.50 diopters of astigmatism and a stable refraction for at least one year. The procedure to implant the Visian lens takes only 10-15 minutes, but expect to spend several hours at our surgical center. After preparations, an anesthetic will be administered to make sure that you are relaxed and comfortable. The ICL is inserted through a small incision measuring less than 1/8 of an inch which seals without stitches. The Visian lens is designed to give a lifetime of vision correction. In FDA trials 99.4% of patients were satisfied with results. However, unlike other vision corrections procedures, if there are major changes in your vision, the ICL can be removed and replaced or another procedure can be performed to enhance the function of the ICL.