The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) and the Visian TICL (Toric Implantable Collamer Lens)* are posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses. (The Visian TICL is currently under FDA-review for approval in the United States.) Made of Collamer, STAAR Surgical Company’s proprietary collagen copolymer, the lens rests behind the iris in the ciliary sulcus.
The Visian ICL is used for treatment of myopia between -3D and -20D. The Visian Toric ICL (awaiting FDA approval) is capable of correcting nearsightedness with astigmatism. A hyperopic model of the Visian ICL available internationally (but not in the United States) is capable of correcting farsightedness.
The surgical procedure for the Visian ICL and Visian TICL* is similar to the procedure used to implant IOLs for the treatment of cataracts. However, unlike cataract IOL implantation, in which the eye's natural crystalline lens is removed, the Visian ICL rests in front of the eye's lens, leaving it intact. The implantation procedure allows for a small incision and offers predictable outcomes in an outpatient setting.
The refractive lens is gently inserted into a syringe and injected through a 3.0 mm temporal, clear corneal incision. The lens then gently unfolds in the eye and footplates on the lens are used to manipulate the lens posterior to the iris plane and into the sulcus.
Unlike laser refractive surgery, the phakic refractive intraocular lenses created by STAAR Surgical Company are removable and do not permanently alter the shape or structures of the eye.
For more information on the Visian ICL and Visian TICL* surgical procedure, please contact STAAR Surgical Company or enroll in the Visian ICL Certification Course.
The biocompatibility of Collamer makes Visian ICL an ideal choice for a lifetime of refractive correction.
The slight negative charge in the collagen in the Collamer material creates a charge-charge repulsion with negatively charged proteins and cells naturally circulating in the aqueous fluid, inhibiting protein deposition on the surface of the lens. 1 This feature reduces the risk for long-term inflammation. 2
Furthermore, the collagen in the lens attracts fibronectin, which coats the surface of the lens and makes it immunologically "invisible," shielding the lens from the body's immune system. 3
Collamer composition creates a lens that offer an excellent quality of vision.
The composition of a Collamer lens allows for a higher water concentration at the surface of the lens, instead of throughout the bulk of the lens. The gradual change in the refractive index at the surface results in a significant reduction in glare.
Collamer has been shown to produce fewer higher order aberrations than other lens materials. 1
For more information on the Visian phakic intraocular refractive lens and other state-of-the-art corrective eye treatments offered by our ophthalmic devices company, contact STAAR Surgical Company today. One of our courteous and highly qualified representatives will respond to you in a timely manner.
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.1. Toselli P, Mogayzel PJ Jr, Faris B, Ferrera R, Franzblau C. Mammalian cell growth on collagen-hydrogels. Scan Electron Microsc., 1984;(Pt 3):1301-1312.
2. Davis E.A. Study of post-cataract surgery inflammation with 3 different IOLs (Collamer, SI40NB, AR40). Summary of data found in all patients. Data on file at STAAR Surgical Company.
3. Engvall E, Ruoslahti E. Binding of soluble form of fibroblast surface protein, fibronectin, to collagen. Internal Journal of Cancer. 1977;20(1): 1-5.
4. Martin RG, Sanders, DR. Higher order aberrations following implantation of four foldable lens designs. ASCRS, 2003.
*Not available in the US