One of the best characteristics of the Visian ICL procedure is the fact that the actual lens is made from a material called Collamer.  Vision ICL is the only eye implant that is made from this material, which makes it truly unique when compared to other types of implants.   In order to better understand the benefits to using Visian ICL, it is helpful to first gain a better understanding of the composition of this lens.

Understanding the Collamer Composition

The Collamer used in Visian ICL is actually a special type of co-polymer collagen.  In fact, the word “Collamer” is created by combining the words “Collagen” and “Co-polymer.”  In scientific terms, the material is created by bonding collagen with a special chromophore that is capable of absorbing UV light.  Once bonded, the materials form a poly-HEMA based co-polymer.

Since Collamer is made entirely from the collagen co-polymer, it is biocompatible with the eye and is capable of providing a very high level of optical performance.  It is also easy to implant in the eye because it can be folded and it unfolds easily once it is inserted.  As a result, only a very small incision has to be made.  This means no sutures are needed and the incision is able to heal quickly.

The Benefits of Visian ICL

Aside from the fact that implanting Visian ICL is a relatively simple procedure, there are several other benefits associated with this Collamer lens.

One of the benefits to using Visian ICL is the fact that Collamer is able to transmit light in a manner that is very similar to the eye’s lens.  This is because Collamer is almost identical in composition to the crystalline lens found in the human eye.

Collamer also has a built-in anti-reflective interface, which is caused by the fact that 40% of the Visian ICL lens is actually made from water. Due to the higher water concentration, it gradually changes the refractive index from the aqueous to the lens.  Since the light patterns created with the Visian ICL are almost the same as the natural lens, less light is reflected and potentially helps reduce dysphotopsias.

Since Visian ICL is made from collagen, it is able to attract fibronectin after the implant has been inserted.  Fibronectin is found naturally in the eye, so having a layer of this substance form around the lens helps to prevent white cell adhesion to the lens.  This means the body does not look at the lens as a foreign object and it is able to remain unnoticed by the body.

The Visian ICL lens also remains free from protein build-up because the Collamer contains a slight negative iconic charge.  Since protein also has a negative charge, the two repel each other and protein is unable to adhere to the surface of the lens.  This means vision remains clear and crisp indefinitely, unless an actual change to the eye occurs.

The Collamer used in Visian ICL is truly unique.  With the help of these unique characteristics, it provides a superior means for improving the vision of those that qualify for the procedure.