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Visian ICL™
Dr. Sheri Rowen and the staff of her Newport Beach LASIK office are proud to offer STAAR’s® Visian ICL to our patients. The lenses are used to correct high levels of nearsightedness. This exciting new technology offers a solution for patients who are ineligible for LASIK vision correction surgery. As part of the FDA trials for the Visian ICL, Dr. Rowen has been using this technology since 1997 and is the region's most experienced ICL surgeon. The lenses provide high definition vision without the hassle of glasses or removable contacts. Dr. Sheri Rowen is a Newport Beach Visian ICL specialist and has helped many patients who had high levels of myopia and did not qualify for LASIK. In the web page below, Dr. Rowen describes the Visian ICL and how they can be used to correct vision.
To learn more, contact our practice today.
Implantable Contact Lenses
The Implantable Contact Lens placement is a proven treatment alternative for patients who experience moderate to severe myopia. The implants function in the same manner as traditional contact lenses; however, they work from the inside of the eye to redirect light for better focusing power. The plastic lenses are placed behind the cornea, directly in front of the natural lens. They are invisible to the naked eye, and feel completely natural, almost as if they are not even there.
They are meant to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contacts. They offer a safe and effective alternative to laser surgery, and have been shown to dramatically reduce the need for glasses or contacts.
Candidates
About 98 percent of people with imperfect vision qualify for laser vision correction surgery. LASIK is the most preferred form of this surgery, but a small percentage of people may be better suited for Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA). ASA is similar to LASIK in that both surgeries require a laser to reshape the cornea and allow you to enjoy a life free of glasses and contacts. ASA requires a slightly longer healing period but requires less instrumentation.
Approximately 2 percent of all candidates is ineligible for laser eye correction because their cornea is too thin and irregular, or their prescription level is so high that it falls outside of the treatment range. While these patients may not qualify for laser correction surgery, they can often receive implantable lenses at our practice. These lenses have several key advantages for patients with severe vision problems. While other procedures like laser surgery are permanent and irreversible, the lenses implanted at our practice can be removed if complications occur, or if a cataract develops later on. These lenses can produce what many patients describe as a better quality of vision.
The lenses are appropriate for individuals of age 21 or over, with a prescription range of -3 to -15 diopters. The lenses are not suitable for patients who are over 60 years of age, or developing cataracts.
To find out if you are a candidate, contact our Cosmetic Center.
The Visian ICL™ Procedure
The Visial ICL procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at an approved surgical facility. The entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. Prior to implantation, drops are placed in the eye to reduce pupil size, and the patient receives a local anesthetic. A small incision is made along the side of the cornea, and the lens is slipped between the iris and the cornea.
The lens is folded and loaded into a small cartridge and as the lens is injected, it gently unfolds in your eye. Patients then experience an immediate improvement in vision quality and are “Wowed” by the results.
Visian ICL™: What to Expect Following Surgery
Recovery from the implant procedure at our practice will take a few days. To maximize safety, only one lens is implanted at a time. We generally allow 1-2 weeks of recovery time between each procedure.
We have an extremely high success rate at our practice. The majority of our patients achieve 20/40 vision or better following the implant surgery. Because we require that the candidates have a stable prescription prior to implantation, the lenses rarely have to be replaced. However, if a significant change in vision does occur, the lenses could be removed and exchanged with new lenses.
Complications are rare. During your consultation at our practice, we will discuss all possible side effects, and answer any further questions you have about the lenses. If cataracts should develop following the implantation, the lens will have to be removed. The patient can proceed with cataract surgery, where we will replace the natural lens of the eye, which will correct the cataract as well as the myopia.
Dr. Rowen is committed to enhancing her patients' quality of life. In addition to performing advanced cataract surgery with the Visian ICL, she provides a range of cosmetic procedures to help patients improve their appearance. To find out more about these treatments, including microdermabrasion, Artefill, and blepharoplasty in Newport Beach, please contact our office today.
