Implantable Contact Lenses

ICL Jacksonville

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Occasionally there are patients who are interested in laser vision correction and who are not good candidates for the procedure. Laser vision correction is not a good option for some patients with large refractive errors, dry eyes, unusual corneal shapes or certain illnesses. The good news is that there is now an option to offer an excellent quality of vision to those patients. It is called the Implantable Contact Lens or Refractive Lens Implant.

What is an Implantable Contact Lens?

These lenses are similar to small contact lenses, that are placed inside of the eye instead of on the surface. Once in place, the lens cannot be seen or felt and requires no maintenance. Lens implants have been used for many years and are considered a safe solution for those whose vision correction falls outside of acceptable parameters.

Who is a Candidate for an Implantable Contact?

Over the age of 21
Normal Eye Exam
Stable vision for one year
Patients who have severe nearsightedness
Patients who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK
Patients with thin or irregular corneas
No evidence of cataracts
Not pregnant or nursing

The Procedure

The implantable contact lens is a painless procedure performed in an approved surgical facility. Improvement in vision is usually seen immediately. The lens is inserted through a microscopic incision and placed in front of the natural lens. During recovery, eye drops are used and a protective shield is worn to protect the eye until it heals. Surgery is performed one eye at a time. A laser procedure may be recommended to correct any residual astigmatism or fine tune the results of the procedure.

Itching and burning sensations in the eye
“Foreign body” sensation – the sensation that an object is poking into your eye
Gritty sensation in the eye
Excessive tearing
Blurry vision
Eye redness
Tired eyes, especially when reading, using a computer or performing close-up work for an extended period

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can become worse as the day wears on.

Detection and Diagnosis

Dry eyes can be diagnosed during a routine eye exam, beginning with a review of your symptoms. Chronic dry eyes can cause changes in the corneas (the clear membrane that rests on top of your pupil and iris, the colored portion of the eye). During your exam, your eye doctor will look closely at your corneas to look for signs of dry eye, sometimes using a special dye to highlight the cornea and to make it easier to see how well your tears are being distributed across your eye. The doctor will also evaluate the quality of your tear film and assess how well your eyes are producing tears.

What are the Advantages?

Exceptional quality of vision with predictable results
No maintenance
Can correct severe nearsightedness
Safe with a high success rate

How Much Does It Cost?

The implantable contact lens surgery is a sophisticated procedure that is recommended for certain patients. Due to the cost of the lenses, this procedure is customarily more expensive that other refractive surgery procedures. There are several financing options to make the procedure more affordable.

What Are The Advantages of the Refractive Lens Implant (RCI)?

The Implantable Contact Lens provides excellent vision with predictable stable results
The lenses correct a wide range of nearsightedness
The procedure is safe with very high success rates

Choose Maida CustomVision for Your Treatment

Our doctors are among the most experienced and well trained surgeons in the world having performed more than 40,000 surgical procedures.

Maida CustomVision has been a fixture in Jacksonville for over 15 years.

It is a unique eye care practice with surgeons who have a wide-range of eye care expertise. Our doctors hold themselves to the strictest standards and places a great emphasis on patient safety and satisfaction. The doctors and the staff are very compassionate and treat each patient as they would treat their immediate family.