Implantable contact lenses, or phakic lenses, are a new generation of implantable contact lenses created to work with your natural clear lens. Two lenses have been approved by the FDA for phakic lens implantation, the Visian ICL (Staar Surgical) and the Verisyse Phakic IOL (AMO).
Both lenses are removable should it become necessary such as when a person's vision changes dramatically or when cataract surgery is performed. Implanting a phakic lens is an outpatient procedure, requiring the use of topical anesthetic eye drops and a micro-incision no stitch surgical technique. Phakic lens implant is a safe and effective lens-based refractive vision corrective option for those in whom LASIK or PRK is not recommended.