IPCL
A sharp and clear vision – always and everywhere.
To be independent of glasses or contact lenses – is that what you want? Are you looking for an alternative to the most advertised and therefore best-known method to achieve this – the removal of corneal tissue by laser? Do you feel more comfortable with a method that does not alter your cornea and is reversible in case of doubt? Do you suffer from dry eyes and fear that a procedure on the cornea could worsen your symptoms? Or do your eyes or the values to be corrected simply not allow for laser intervention? Then there is good news for you: IPCL. The IPCL is custom-made for you and your eye. Learn more about the IPCL here and whether it can be your path to visual freedom.
IPCL – What is it?
In the past, laser surgery on the cornea was the only option for permanent visual acuity correction. The IPCL is a path to visual freedom without glasses and contact lenses that complements your eye without significantly altering tissue. It is like a contact lens in the eye. Hence, IPCL stands for “Implantable Phacic Contact Lens” = implantable contact lens for the phakic eye, i.e. for an eye with a natural eye lens (gr. phakos = (eye) lens).
Once the IPCL is implanted in your eye, you don’t need to do anything else. However, the IPCL does a lot for you: The IPCL gives you the freedom to do what you want without the continued restriction of glasses or contact lenses. You will not feel the IPCL, and others will not see it. You will see A clear, sharp view of the world full of possibilities
Long-term solution
The removal of an IPCL is usually only necessary at an older age, when the lens of the eye has become cloudy due to the natural aging process (cataract) and needs to be replaced by an artificial lens. You can then enjoy the freedom to choose the ideal artificial lens for you again with an untouched cornea. But there is still a long time until then.
Customisable lens
No matter if you are highly short sighted or long sighted, have astigmatism, whether your cornea is thin or thick – or all the above: The key is that each IPCL is individually made so there is a solution to suit your eye. There is even an IPCL for the correction of Presbyopia – IPCL presbyopia.
For all eyes
An IPCL can be used to correct nearsightedness up to approx. – 30 diopters, farsightedness up to approx. + 15 diopters, astigmatism up to approx. 10 diopters and presbyopia.
What’s inside?
In order for your IPCL to harmonize perfectly with your eyes, not only the “strength” must be right. The size must also fit your eyes. It’s like shoes – only if they fit perfectly will you be happy in the long run.
The IPCL can therefore be produced in 13 sizes – with only a difference of 250 microns between each size. This corresponds to about the thickness of four hairs.
Of course, the IPCL is made of a special, extremely compatible (biocompatible) and long-term stable material that has proven itself millions of times over in implantable lenses for decades.
At the same time, the IPCL is thinner than all other implantable lenses. It is the latest generation of implantable contact lenses whose design has been improved in virtually every aspect. For example, each IPCL has seven openings to maintain the natural flow of aqueous humor in the eye. The opening in the center of the optic is particularly well designed: it is shaped like a funnel. This allows the water in the eye to flow through easily and the oblique edges minimise the reflection of light so that you will not notice the opening.
The large openings at the four “corners” (= haptics): The haptics are the points at which the IPCL supports itself on the eye tissue so that the optics “float” freely in front of the natural lens. The large holes give the haptics flexibility for the best possible “fit”.
About the procedure and recovery
The IPCL has been in existence since 2013, and since then more than 100,000 IPCL have been implanted worldwide – thanks to the high level of satisfaction, the trend is rising sharply.
As the name suggests, the IPCL is implanted in the eye. It is folded into the eye using a “keyhole technique” folded through a small incision of only 2.8 mm at the edge of the cornea and then positioned behind the iris in front of the natural lens with microinstruments. This minimally invasive insertion takes only a few minutes, it is performed on an outpatient basis and, of course, under appropriate anesthesia so it is painless. The incisions are so small that they close again without sutures. Most patients notice an improvement in their vision immediately after treatment and recover within a day due to the small incisions.
The risk of complications is lower than that of cataract surgery, which is one of the most common procedures in the world and one of the safest surgical procedures. In addition, IPCL implantation is only performed by experienced, specialized and certified eye surgeons who comply to the highest quality standards.
Is an IPCL right for me?
If you are between 21 and 60 years old, want visual freedom, if you want to become independent of glasses and contact lenses, then you should consider an IPCL. Get advice from an IPCL specialist. They can easily assess with the use of specialist diagnostics whether you are suitable for an IPCL.
If your eye is also healthy, there is a “green light” for an IPCL. The thickness of the cornea does not matter, since it is not changed. It retains its full stability and optical performance. Likewise, dry eyes are not an obstacle for an IPCL. The reversibility of the IPCL should the need arise is another important reason for many people to opt for freedom with a custom-made IPCL.
The costs for a supply of IPCLs consist of the medical services for preliminary examination, implantation and follow-up examinations and the cost for the lenses. The eye surgeon you trust will discuss this with you and provide you with the costs.