Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)

The eye physicians and surgeons at UT Southwestern Medical Center have specialized expertise in the latest treatments for common vision problems such as nearsightedness. We offer advanced therapies, such as the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens, to help our patients see well without eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Latest Advances in Implantable Lenses: Visian ICL

A phakic intraocular lens (IOL), such as the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), is a permanent, artificial lens that is implanted in the eye to correct vision – like a contact lens that doesn’t need maintenance.  

Unlike other types of implantable artificial lenses, Visian ICL does not replace the natural lens but works with it to provide clear vision. In the procedure, doctors place the Visian ICL between the iris and the natural lens.

At UT Southwestern, our ophthalmologists are nationally known for advancing the science of eye care. We conduct research on new treatments and diagnostic methods, publish papers on our findings, and teach other doctors about the latest developments in laser eye surgery and other eye treatments.

Conditions We Treat with Visian ICL

At UT Southwestern, we use Visian ICL to treat moderate to severe nearsightedness (myopia). The lens can be an alternative to laser eye surgery, especially for people who cannot have LASIK or other procedures for a variety of reasons.

Treatment with Visian ICL

With normal vision, light enters the eye through the cornea and lens, which work together to bend the rays and focus them on the retina (layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye). The retina converts light into electrical pulses, which travel through the optic nerve to the brain to produce images.

Nearsightedness (myopia) develops when the shape of the eyeball is too long from front to back, preventing the cornea and lens from properly refracting (bending) light rays. Nearsightedness causes light to focus in front of the retina, which results in clear close vision but blurry distant vision.

Visian ICL works with the natural lens to focus light on the retina for clear vision. ICLs can remain in the eye indefinitely, or they can be removed or replaced with a new lens if necessary. At UT Southwestern, our eye surgeons offer ICL implantation as an outpatient procedure that usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The procedure takes places in a surgical suite.