Am I a Candidate for Implantable Contact Lenses?

Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs), often referred to as implantable contact lenses, offer a new option in refractive vision correction. The implantable contact lenses can correct nearsightedness, and are ideal for patients who may not qualify for laser refractive surgery.

Implantable Contact Lenses Candidate

The FDA-approved implantable contact lenses are currently available in the United States to treat a wide range of myopia (nearsightedness). Any patient interested in a refractive vision correction procedure for nearsightedness has the potential of being a good candidate for implantable contact lenses. The procedure allows patients a freedom from the eyeglasses and contact lenses that they use to correct myopia.

The implantable contact lens refractive procedure is ideal for patients with severe myopia, with dry eye syndrome, or with other contraindications that do not make them good LASIK candidates.

General ICL Requirements

There are general requirements to be a good ICL candidate. Patients who seem to benefit the most from implantable contact lenses include those who:

• Are over 21 years of age. (It is often recommended that patients over 45 do not have the ICL procedure.)
• Have mild, moderate, or severe myopia. (In general, implantable contact lenses can correct up to -20D of myopia, however the exact treatment range varies between the Visian ICL™ and the Verisyse™ phakic IOL.)
• Have minor or no occurrence of astigmatism. (Currently approved implantable contact lenses can treat up to 2.5 diopters of astigmatism. A toric implantable contact lens – which could treat astigmatism – is pending FDA approval.)
• Have had an unchanging vision correction prescription for at least six months. (Length of stable vision history varies by lens.)
• Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have proper anterior chamber depth. (Varies slightly between Verisyse™ phakic IOL and Visian ICL™. The ophthalmologist will determine chamber depth during comprehensive eye test.)
• Are not good candidates for LASIK. (Patients with dry eyes, severe myopia, thin corneas, and some of the other contraindications for LASIK may be eligible for implantable contact lenses.)

Contact a Specialist in Your Area through DocShop

To best determine if you are a good candidate for implantable contact lenses, you should have a comprehensive eye examination and discuss your vision correction needs with your ophthalmologist. If you are currently not working with an eye care specialist, find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area through DocShop's directory. It’s your first step to getting implantable contact lenses to improve your vision.