Implantable/Toric contact lenses introduced

Kozhikode, Nov 9: Vasan Eye Care Hospital has introduced Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) and Toric Implantable Contact Lenses (TICL) for high myopia patients, who cannot undergo laser correction.

Talking to the media here today, chief refractic surgeon Shaju Asokan said ICL and TICL were very thin and soft and could be folded so small that it could be injected painlessly into the eye through a small self-sealing opening in the cornea.

He said the ICL, placed inside the eye rather than on the surface as in the case of contact lenses, was easily accepted by the body as it was made of a special material called Collamer.

It had an added advantage as it was reversible in case of problems as it did not alter any structure within the eye or cornea, he said.

The procredure, done under local anesthesia, took 15 to 20 minutes and the patient would be comfortable with resuming duty in a day.

The power of the ICL ranged from -4.0D to -30.0D Myopia, upto +8.0 D Hyperopia and Astigmatism from -1.0D to -5.0D.

Available in Kozhikode and Kochi branches, ICL cost Rs 30,000 for one eye and it was a bit higher for TCIL, he added.

UNI