Refractive surgery implanting a posterior chamber phakic lens (ICL) 23/03/2013

There are cases in which laser surgery on the cornea to correct refractive defects is not possible and intraocular lens implants are preferred, called phakic intraocular lenses (IOL), which respect the natural crystalline lens of the eye.

ICL-type posterior chamber phakic lenses (implantable collamer lens) are inserted into the eye in front of the crystalline lens and behind the iris to correct high degrees of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism safely and effectively.

With the application of these lenses, made from a biocompatible material, the eye is not modified in any way.

The main advantage of these lenses is that they correct cases of myopia, hypermetropia and/or astigmatism that cannot be treated via corneal laser surgery and in some cases even improve the patient's vision.

If necessary the lens can be removed to return the eye to its original condition, making this technique a reversible procedure, unlike laser therapy.

It's carried out as an outpatient procedure. Being intraocular surgery, and in order to minimise the risks of infection, it's first carried out on one eye and, one week later, on the other. Topical or local anaesthesia is used and vision is quickly restored (24-48 hours) and very stable.