The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens) and the Visian TICL (Toric Collamer ICL)* are posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses designed for treatment of refractive errors. The Visian ICL is available in the United States and internationally to treat myopia. (Hyperopic models are available for use outside of the United States. The Visian TICL (currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States) is designed to treat myopic astigmatism.
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The Visian ICL is used for the correction of myopia and hyperopia (hyperopic model not available in the United States). The features of the Visian ICL include:
Learn more about the Visian ICL available powers and how to select the ideal Visian ICL patient.
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The first phakic intraocular lens for correcting myopic astigmatism, the Visian TICL* is the toric version of the Visian ICL. Currently under review by the U.S. FDA, the Visian TICL* is currently available and used internationally.
In addition to the features listed above for the Visian ICL, the sulcus location of STAAR Surgical Company's phakic IOL allowed for the toric option to be designed and used for treatment of myopic patients with astigmatism. The Visian TICL* is available for patients with myopia between -4.0 and -20.0 and astigmatism of 1D to 4D.
The Visian Toric ICL comes with our latest calculation and implantation software. This innovative medical software will allow surgeons to not only measure cylindrical and spherical length and power, but it also generates an accurate implantation diagram that can be taken with them into the surgery.
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Both the Visian ICL and the Visian TICL* benefit from the Collamer Advantage. Collamer is STAAR Surgical Company's proprietary collagen copolymer. The unique lens material contributes to the exceptional performance of its phakic IOLs.
The Collamer Advantage includes:
Exceptional Quality of Vision
Significant Biocompatibility
Excellent for Patients with Specific Health Issues
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The Visian ICL and Visian TICL* certification is a mandatory requirement for physicians who are interested in implanting the lens. (Currently the Visian TICL certification is not available in the United States.) By completing the training and certification, a surgeon will be able to expand his or her refractive treatment offerings to patients.
Physician certification for implantation of the company's phakic IOLs is part of STAAR Surgical Company's ongoing commitment to excellence in ophthalmology.
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A physician becomes eligible for certification after attending a Certified ICL Training Course. Once eligible, the physician will complete their certification by successfully selecting, implanting, and managing five surgical procedures with the support of an on-site Visian ICL or Visian Toric ICL Applications Specialist.
Certification courses in the United States and the Dominican Republic are part of a two-step certification program. The first step in the process is a one-day course consisting of a four hour didactic presentation, lens loading, wet lab, live surgery observation and examination of postoperative patients. If the surgeon wants to gain additional experience with hands-on implantation of the Visian ICL, they can attend a course in the Dominican Republic.
We also offer a number of international courses where physicians can become certified in the Visian TICL* myopic astigmatism correction procedure as well, including meetings in Argentina and Singapore.
The certification process usually requires three days:
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To schedule proctoring with an Applications Specialist, a physician must first contact a local STAAR Representative. The representative will confirm that the physician has five appropriate candidates for the Visian ICL or the Visian TICL* surgery, and will assist in scheduling an Applications Specialist for proctoring.
The Applications Specialist will contact the physician to arrange the logistics of the certification. Several important factors shall be discussed during this call including:
In preparation for calculation training and the ordering process with the Applications Specialist, download the Quick Start Guide. This document requires information regarding the equipment used to obtain measurements, and is necessary for the initial setup of the STAARVISION account. Having this form completed will help expedite the training and ordering process for the first lenses. Close follow up and entry of postoperative data is required for the first 20 cases. This information is tracked via STAARVISION, and will be required for continuous lens ordering.
Please keep in mind when requesting a proctoring date that the certification process usually requires three days. Additionally, peripheral YAG iridectomies must be performed one to two weeks prior to surgery. Remember that careful selection of patients is critical to successful certification.
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** STAAR Surgical maintains a room block at the selected hotel and will make a reservation on your behalf.
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Additional information is available on the Visian ICL, the Visian Toric ICL, and the corrective power of the lenses for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Please review the sections of this website that highlight how the Visian ICL works, what the Visian ICL and Visian Toric ICL product specifications are, and how to select the ideal candidate for STAAR Surgical phakic IOLs. Also available are professional publications on the STAAR Surgical Company's phakic IOLs, which outline the results of various studies.
If you have additional questions regarding the Visian ICL and the Visian ICL, including the certified Visian ICL training course, please contact STAAR Surgical Company today. The Visian ICL product website is also available for patients considering implantation of STAAR Surgical Company's phakic IOL.
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1. Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia. J. Cornea Ext Dis, 2003;22(4):324-331.
2. ICL in Treatment of Myopia (ITM) Study Group. United States Food and Drug Administration clinical trial of the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) for moderate to high myopia. Ophthalmology. 2004;111:1683-1692
3. Ossipov, A. Comparison of internal reflectance patterns of Collamer, acrylic and silicone. 1997. Data on file at STAAR Surgical Company.
4. Martin RG, Sanders, DR. Higher order aberrations following implantation of four foldable lens designs. ASCRS, 2003.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Fine IH, MD. Aiming for a new level of biocompatibility. Ophthalmology Management., 2000;5:5 (suppl).
*Not available in the US