Visian ICL vs. LASIK Eye Surgery
You’ve probably heard of LASIK, the laser procedure that reshapes your cornea to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. LASIK changes how light focuses on your retina, giving you clearer vision without glasses or contacts.
Visian ICL takes a different approach. Instead of changing the cornea’s shape, the surgeon implants a special lens between your iris (the colored part of your eye) and your natural lens. This lens corrects mild to severe nearsightedness. Because the cornea stays untouched, Visian ICL doesn’t cause flap complications, dry eyes, or other LASIK-related issues. You won’t feel the ICL in your eye, and others can’t see it.
Who Is a Candidate for Visian ICL?
To qualify for Visian ICL, you must be in good general health and under age 45. Because ICLs cannot correct age-related vision changes (presbyopia), candidates typically range from 21 to 44. If LASIK isn’t right for you—perhaps due to thin corneas, chronic dry eyes, or a high prescription—you may still qualify for ICL.
During your consultation at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, your eye doctor will:
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Review your overall health and medical history
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Measure your cornea’s thickness and shape
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Check for signs of dry eye or other conditions that rule out LASIK
If your eye exam shows healthy tissue and a stable prescription, Visian ICL might be a great fit.
How Do Implantable Contact Lenses Work?
Think of a contact lens resting directly on your eye’s surface. Now imagine that same lens tucked safely inside your eye, behind the iris and in front of your natural lens. That’s precisely how a phakic IOL (implantable contact lens) functions.
Your surgeon will prescribe an ICL power that matches your nearsightedness. During surgery, a tiny gel protects your eye. Small corneal incisions let the surgeon insert a cartridge containing the folded ICL. Once inside, the lens opens and the surgeon gently positions its edges behind your iris. Finally, a minuscule opening in the iris ensures fluid flows around the new lens. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes per eye and typically causes minimal discomfort.
Right now, Visian ICL corrects myopia only. However, ongoing studies abroad aim to bring toric ICLs (which correct both myopia and astigmatism) to the U.S. soon.
What Happens if Your Prescription Changes?
One significant benefit of Visian ICL is flexibility. If your vision prescription shifts over time, you can replace the ICL. Unlike corneal surgeries—where overcorrection or undercorrection may require enhancements—ICLs remove and swap easily. And if presbyopia (age-related near-vision loss) finds you later, you can add reading glasses or consider another lens implant. Your eye doctor will help you explore all options to ensure your eyes stay comfortable and your vision is sharp.
How Much Does Visian ICL Cost?
Like LASIK, implantable contact lens surgery usually falls outside standard insurance coverage. Don’t let that deter you—think of ICL as a long-term investment in your vision and daily comfort.
Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center offers several financing solutions to make ICL more affordable:
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow you to use pre-tax dollars for your procedure.
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In-house payment plans divide the cost into manageable monthly installments.
Ask one of our patient counselors about the best financing option for you. If LASIK wasn’t a fit, Visian ICL could be your ticket to clear, hassle-free vision.
See Clearly Again
If you’ve struggled with glasses or contacts for years—and LASIK wasn’t an option—implantable contact lenses may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Don’t settle for blurry mornings or dry, irritated eyes. Schedule a consultation at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center today to learn if Visian ICL can restore your sight. Our experienced team will guide you through every step, from candidacy evaluation to post-op care, so that you can enjoy life in perfect focus.