Refractive outcomes and safety of the implantable collamer lens in young low-to-moderate myopes

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual and refractive outcomes and safety of implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation in low-to-moderate myopia. SETTING: Private Practice - Dougherty Laser Vision, Westlake Village, CA, USA. METHODS: A chart review was performed in 56 (104 eyes) consecutive patients who underwent implantation of the Visian ICL V4 model. Inclusion criteria were age between 21 and 40 years, spherical equivalent between -3.00 D and -10.00 D, and cylinder up to -5 D. Data on visual acuity, refraction, and complications were collected. RESULTS: The mean time to the last postoperative visit was 13.1±14.0 months (range, 2 to 50 months). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -6.96±1.60 D and the mean preoperative cylinder was -1.03±0.88 D. The mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/20 (range, 20/15 to 20/80) that remained unchanged at last postoperative visit. At the last postoperative visit, the spherical equivalent was -0.08±0.01 D and the cylinder was 0.29±0.71 D. Comparison of postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) to preoperative CDVA indicated that 27 eyes (26%) had better postoperative UCDVA and 61 eyes (59%) had UDVA equivalent to the preoperative CDVA. Postoperatively, 4 eyes lost 1 line of CDVA and no eyes lost >1 line of CDVA. There were 32 eyes that gained at least ≥1 of CDVA. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, 3 patients (6 eyes) had dry eye, and 1 patient complained of nighttime halos in 1 eye. At the last postoperative visit, there were no eyes with lens opacity or glaucoma. CONCLUSION: ICL implantation for low and moderate myopia up to -10 D in patients up to 40 years of age was safe, accurate, and efficacious. ICL implantation may be a good alternative to laser in situ keratomileusis for young myopes less than -10.00 D.