Implantable contact lenses, known as phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) to ophthalmologists, are presently being investigated and utilized as another refractive procedure. There are two phakic IOLs presently FDA approved in the U.S. They are the Verisyse Phakic IOL produced by AMO and the Visian ICL made by Staar surgical. In general, phakic IOLs are powerful refractive tools with almost unlimited potential to correct refractive errors (nearsightedness and farsightedness). The Verisyse IOL is available in powers of -5.0 to -20.0 diopters (D) of power, making it an option for patients with both moderate and severe degrees of myopia. The Visian ICL is FDA approved for refractive errors between -3.0 and -20.0 diopters of myopia. Neither IOL is FDA approved for patients with hyperopia.

The phakic IOL is unique in that the thin intraocular lens implant is placed in the eye without removing the natural lens of the eye, as is required in cataract surgery. The Verisyse IOL is implanted in front of the iris and, in fact, is actually attached (enclavated) to the peripheral iris. The Visian ICL is placed behind the iris and in front of the natural lens of the eye. Because of the positioning of the Visian ICL, it does not come in contact with any moving structures within the eye. Given that the natural lens of the eye is not removed, the patient retains the natural focusing capability (accommodation) of the eye for near focusing tasks.

Ophthalmologist investigators believe that both the Verisyse IOL and the Visian ICL have proven to be powerful additions to the present refractive armamentarium, especially for those individuals whose refractive errors presently fall out of the range for LASIK. In fact, many refractive surgeons are now considering the Verisyse IOL or the Visian ICL as the only viable option for patients with myopia above approximately -9.0 D.