Implantable collamer lens

Surgery to correct nearsightedness (myopia) is a popular alternative to wearing glasses or contacts. One type of corrective surgery uses implantable collamer lenses (ICL) to help you see more clearly.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our specialized eye surgeons use ICL to treat people with moderate to severe nearsightedness.

What is an implantable collamer lens?

An implantable collamer lens is an artificial lens your surgeon can implant inside your eye to improve your distance vision. It is a type of intraocular lens, meaning a lens that’s inserted within the eye. Collamer lenses are made of special materials that make them flexible and porous.

During ICL surgery, the eye surgeon places the lens in front of your eye’s natural lens. Other types of surgery – including cataract surgery – replace your natural lens with an artificial one. Because ICL surgery doesn’t replace your natural lens, it’s reversible. A surgeon can remove the ICL if necessary.

ICL surgery is an alternative to correct nearsightedness for people who aren’t good candidates for refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea, like LASIK.

Conditions treated with implantable collamer lenses

ICL surgery is an option for people with moderate to severe nearsightedness. It works for those with and without astigmatism.

The best candidates for ICL surgery:

• Are between the ages of 21 and 45
• Are healthy and have healthy eyes
• Desire a quick recovery and freedom from glasses or contacts
• Have not had any other types of eye surgery
• Have a stable corrective vision prescription

Implantable collamer lens side effects

Surgery to insert implantable collamer lenses is a quick outpatient procedure. Most people begin to see more clearly within a few days of surgery.

ICL surgery is generally considered safe, but there are a few possible risks and complications. These may include:

• Decreased night vision, with glare and halos
• Development of cataracts
• Dry eyes
• Infection
• Increase in eye pressure (a precursor to glaucoma)
• Rotation or shifting of the implanted lens