Discover the benefits of intraocular contact lenses in Melbourne
Dr Anton van Heerden explains how patients feel after ICL surgery
Who can our life-changing treatments help?
If you see yourself in how I describe my ideal patients below, we can certainly help you enhance your every waking moment with amazing natural vision
Your life after intraocular contact lens treatment
Every aspect of life becomes more enjoyable when you free yourself from the things that slow you down, hold you back and get in your way
Thrive amid adversity
In light of current world events, trips abroad and big social events are temporarily on hold. Sure, this is disappointing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy life. We believe that every day can be an adventure if you change how you see the world with intraocular contact lenses.
Appreciate everything
Bouldering in the Blue Mountains, surfing in Sydney or kayaking in Kalbarri are all great, but so many of us spend our days waiting for these massive life events then wind up missing life’s daily beauty in the meantime. When you change how you see the world with implantable contact lenses, you’ll realise there are actually plenty of daily adventures to be had right on your own doorstep.
Clarity creates simplicity
After implantable contact lenses, you’ll have fantastic, unaided vision and will no longer be dependent on glasses and contact lenses to see clearly.
Thrive amid adversity
You will be amazed by how confident and carefree you’ll feel. Many of our patients express feeling resilient and raring to go.
Appreciate everything
There comes a point in life when you start to appreciate what matters most. Great vision gives you the clarity to enjoy every moment with the people you love.
Want to start your next adventure today?
Change how you see the world in 3 easy steps
WE’LL MEET
We’ll ensure you’re a good candidate before treating you at our state-of-the-art refractive eye specialist clinic close to Melbourne CBD.
How does it work?
Change how you see the world in 3 easy steps
Intraocular contact lens treatment explained
Everything you need to know about intraocular contact lens treatment
Patients who have high myopia (>-10D), high astigmatism or hyperopia with deep anterior chambers are best suited to have this surgery.
Patients whose cornea is too thin to have LASIK, PRK or SMILE® may be good candidates to have ICL surgery.
ICL sits between the natural lens of the eye and the iris. They work in a similar way to traditional contact lenses by focusing light through the lens and onto the retina.
The lenses are extremely thin and are tolerated well in the eye.
ICL surgery gives patients excellent visual results. The patient’s natural lens remains in place, which means you maintain your normal ability to accommodate (see distance and close up). The procedure is reversible, and the lenses can be removed if not tolerated.
Intraocular contact lenses (ICL’s) are an excellent option for patients who are not suitable to have corneal refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE).
ICL’s are very safe; however, any kind of intraocular surgery inherently has the risk of:
- Endophthalmitis (infection)
- Glaucoma
- Induced cataract
- Retinal detachment
- Need for ICL removal
We offer ICL surgery in cases where corneal refractive surgery is not appropriate or is unsafe.
The alternative would be to use glasses or contact lenses and not proceed with surgery.
Step 1: We anaesthetise the eye using a topical anaesthetic drop.
Step 2: We usually operate on each eye separately on separate days. Still, it is possible to be done on the same day if necessary.
Step 3: We place the ICL device between the normal lens and the iris. We then wash the eye out with and inject an antibiotic into the eye.
Step 4: Patients are seen immediately after surgery to ensure the lens is sitting correctly.
ICL’s give great visual acuity results. In one study, ICL’s were placed in the eyes of patients who were US military warfighters: 3 months after surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 96% of patients.
No significant complications were observed in this study.2
Links to authoritative resources on intraocular contact lenses
Follow the links below for more information on intraocular contact lenses
About Eye Laser Specialists
Our experts bring a combined 40 years of eye surgery experience to Melbourne
Dr Anton van Heerden, MBCHB; FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Laser Eye Surgeon
Based in Melbourne, but with a reputation that transcends borders, Dr Van Heerden sets the highest bar for laser vision correction surgery in Australia. While his skills and experience are second to none, it is his fun, caring and down to earth nature that truly set’s him apart from the rest. You can sit back and enjoy the journey knowing every detail has been carefully considered.
Dr Edward Roufail, PHD, FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Specialist Eye Surgeon
Dr Roufail is an experienced Ophthalmologist with extensive experience in intraocular surgery. He performs well over 500 intraocular surgeries a year treating retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, surgical macular disease, cataract and refractive surgery.
