Implant Contact Lenses in Los Angeles, CA

For a lot of men and women, LASIK or PRK refractive vision surgery is an excellent treatment choice to reduce the need for glasses or contacts and can enhance their vision. Sometimes, if patients have very thin corneal tissue or severe myopia (nearsightedness), these types of vision correction surgeries may not always be the best option.

If patients have an issue receiving LASIK or PRK, implanted lenses are a great, long-term solution for vision correction. Phakic intraocular lenses, also known as implantable collamer lenses or ICLs, are comparable to conventional contacts; however, we permanently place them inside the eye. We implant these specialized phakic IOLs behind the cornea and iris on top of your natural lens. If you want to learn more about this innovative treatment option, please schedule an appointment at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA. We have two locations in Encino or West Hills for your convenience.

At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our group is proud to offer Visian ICL, which helps enhance vision and reduce refractive errors. The Visian ICL is implanted in between the iris and your natural lens, meaning we won’t have to remove your natural lens thereby maintaining accommodation, which is critical for changing depth of focus. For instance, watching TV and looking at your phone simultaneously requires the natural lens to dynamically change from distance to near. Similarly to LASIK, the ICL maintains the ability to accommodate. As an FDA-approved implant, Visian ICL is designed to improve nearsightedness and is a safe, effective treatment choice for patients who can’t undergo PRK or LASIK. Additionally, Visian ICL has several benefits, including:

• Providing UV protection

• Treating astigmatism or myopia

• Offering quick recovery results

• Performed in an operating room with a board-certified anesthesiologist present, sedating the patient

Implant contact lenses installed at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley provide an outstanding option to individuals who need vision correction but do not qualify for LASIK or PRK. Benefits of ICLs include:

• Correcting a variety of vision issues
• Avoiding the daily hassle of contacts and/or glasses
• Participating in physical activities without worrying about removing glasses or contacts falling out
• Quick treatment and fast recovery
• Low risk of dry eye syndrome
• Increased UV protection versus LASIK or PRK
• Installation is safe and effective

Generally, the best candidates for ICLs include patients who are 21 – 45 years old, that have moderate, high, or extreme myopia, and do not qualify for LASIK or PRK. You should also have good overall health and no previous history of eye surgery. Unfortunately, you may not qualify for ICLs if you have diabetic retinopathy, iritis, or glaucoma. Like most eye treatments, you will need to schedule an appointment at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Encino or West Hills to determine if this surgery is right for you. We will perform a comprehensive eye exam and develop a treatment plan.

Visian ICLs are ideal for many patients, including individuals 21 to 45 with nearsightedness who have maintained a stable prescription for at least a year. Visian ICLs are not recommended for patients who are pregnant, nursing, or those with a history of eye disease. 

Created with biocompatible collamer and your utmost comfort in mind, Visian ICL works in harmony with your eye. A few weeks before your surgery, we will create very tiny openings within your iris so fluid can properly flow after placing your implant. On the day of your procedure, one of our ophthalmologists will start by administering numbing eye drops. Once your eye is completely numb, the surgeon creates a small incision into the cornea, then implants and positions your Visian ICL. The procedure usually only takes around 15 minutes, and you should experience significant vision improvement after the treatment.

After we monitor you for a little bit, we will release you to recover at home. Over the next couple of days, you should notice significant improvements to your vision as you start to heal. Usually, many patients have no issue returning to their daily routines after a few days. During this time, it’s extremely important not to touch or rub your eyes. You will also need to attend several follow-up appointments at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley so we can ensure your eye is healing properly and monitor your vision improvement.

Does getting implantable contact lenses hurt?
Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley takes every measure to ensure that your experience with us is as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We employ a board-certified anesthesiologist to provide adequate sedation — so you don't feel pain. Our eye care team also offers prescriptions and eye drops after surgery to make the recovery process seamless.

Are implantable contact lenses permanent?
Implantable contact lenses are used to replace the actual contact lenses you wear every day. The goal is for the lenses to be permanent because OAV wants you to have constant access to clear vision. Once they get inserted into your eyes, there's no need to remove them unless you undergo cataract surgery or another type of medical treatment.

Will I have 20/20 vision after getting implantable contact lenses?
It's possible, but it's more likely that you'll have near-perfect vision after lens surgery in Los Angeles, CA. This means you can still reduce your dependency on glasses and perform simple tasks like reading and driving without visual aids. Ask your eye care provider about what to expect and whether you're a good candidate for the procedure.

How do ICLs differ from traditional contact lenses?
Implantable contact lenses (ICLs) and traditional contact lenses both aim to correct vision, but they differ significantly in application and permanence. Traditional contact lenses sit on the eye's surface and require daily removal and cleaning. ICLs are surgically implanted into the eye, specifically between the iris and the natural lens, providing a more permanent vision correction solution. Unlike traditional lenses, ICLs don't require daily maintenance and are designed to stay in your eye for the long term.

How long do ICLs last?
ICLs are designed to provide long-term vision correction and can last for many years, often without requiring replacement. They are made from biocompatible materials that are well-tolerated by the eye. In most cases, once implanted, they offer a durable and stable vision correction solution.

Can implantable contact lenses be removed?
Yes, implantable contact lenses (ICLs) are removable. One of their advantages is their reversibility; if your vision changes significantly or you experience complications, the lenses can be safely taken out or replaced.

With a 99% patient satisfaction rate and over 1 million procedures performed worldwide, Visian ICL is a great treatment for patients who have severe nearsightedness and don’t want to rely on prescription eyeglasses or daily contact lenses. It may also work well for patients who are not candidates for vision correction procedures, including LASIK and PRK. Please call Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Encino or West Hills, to schedule an ICL consultation with one of our expert ophthalmologists.