Collamer is a unique lens material created and used exclusively by STAAR® Surgical Company in the Afinity Collamer IOL, the Afinity Collamer Aspheric IOL, intraocular lenses for cataract surgery, and in the Visian ICL™, a phakic intraocular lens for treatment of nearsightedness.
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Collamer is a unique organic material. Its name is a derivative of the material's composition; it is a 100 percent pure collagen copolymer. Collamer is composed of collagen, a UV-absorbing chromophore (light absorbing chemical), and a poly-HEMA based copolymer. When fully hydrated, the Collamer lens material possesses a high water content concentrated at the surface of the lens.1
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The unique Collamer lens material used in the Afinity Collamer IOL provides numerous advantages over other lens materials.
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The distribution of the water content (the bulk at the lens's surface) creates an anti-reflective interface in Collamer lenses. This anti-reflective coating results in a significant reduction of glare and halos associated with IOL implantation. Especially in comparison with acrylic lenses, the Afinity Collamer IOL has little or no occurrence of refractive disturbances. In fact, the light patterns associated with Collamer lenses are nearly identical to the eye's natural crystalline lens.1
Following cataract eye surgery, patients with Collamer IOLs implanted tend to have fewer instances of higher order aberrations than patients with acrylic and other lenses. 2
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Biocompatibility refers to the ability of Collamer IOLs to not be viewed as a foreign object by the eye. Collamer lenses achieve biocompatibility through two mechanisms:
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Collamer IOLs have delivered superior outcomes, creating a high percentage rate of satisfied patients.4, 5 In addition, Collamer does not have the potential problems that other lens materials pose for patients with certain health conditions including diabetes and various anterior chamber inflammatory eye conditions.5
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Similar to other intraocular lenses, the Afinity Collamer IOL is used to replace the eye's natural crystalline lens during cataract surgery. Its compatibility with the eye, flexible design, and exceptional quality of vision make the Afinity Collamer IOL and the Afinity Collamer Aspheric IOL smart choices among the intraocular lenses on the market today.
STAAR Surgical Company offers the Afinity Single Piece Collamer IOL in both the United States and international markets. The Afinity 3-Piece Collamer IOL and the Afinity Collamer Aspheric IOL are currently only available in the United States.
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To learn more about the unique Collamer lens material or for additional information on the Afinity Collamer IOL and Afinity Collamer Aspheric IOL, please contact STAAR Surgical Company today.
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1. Ossipov, A. Comparison of internal reflectance patterns of Collamer, acrylic and silicone. 1997. Data on file at STAAR Surgical Company.
2. Martin RG, Sanders, DR. Higher order aberrations following implantation of four foldable lens designs. ASCRS, 2003.
3. Toselli P, Mogayzel PJ Jr, Faris B, Ferrera R, Franzblau C. Mammalian cell growth on collagen-hydrogels. Scan Electron Microsc., 1984;(Pt 3):1301-1312.
4. Fine IH, MD. Aiming for a new level of biocompatibility. Ophthalmology Management., 2000;5:5 (suppl).
5. Davis E.A. Study of post-cataract surgery inflammation with 3 different IOLs (Collamer, SI40NB, AR40). Summary of data found in all patients. Data on file at STAAR Surgical Company.