Refractive stability
Adults with stable refraction who meet the age and refractive indication of the specific Visian ICL model.
About the service
Visian ICL is a phakic lens placed behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. It corrects refractive error without removing corneal tissue; suitability is determined by diagnostic assessment.
Who the service is for
Natural lens
Patients with a clear natural lens and useful accommodation when there is no clinical advantage to crystalline-lens extraction. The natural lens is clear and retaining accommodation is clinically desirable.
Anterior chamber and angle
Patients with adequate anterior chamber depth and safe angle anatomy.
Endothelial cells
Patients with age-appropriate corneal endothelial cell density.
Optical correction
A Visian ICL consultation is reasonable when a patient wants to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses and the refractive surgeon considers intraocular correction more appropriate than corneal laser surgery.
Myopia
Stable refractive error within the labelled range of the specific Visian ICL available.
Corneal suitability for correction
Corneal anatomy or expected laser-surgery tissue limits make a corneal procedure less suitable.
Laser correction for astigmatism
For clinically meaningful astigmatism, spherical Visian ICL may not address the whole refractive error; Visian ICL Toric or another strategy may be required.
Corneal thickness
High myopia or a thin cornea alone does not automatically mean ICL is indicated.
Follow-up and monitoring
The patient understands that ICL implantation is intraocular surgery and requires long-term follow-up .
Astigmatism
If clinically significant astigmatism is present, the surgeon should separately assess Visian ICL Toric.
Balance of benefits and risks
Patients for whom the expected benefit of intraocular correction outweighs its risks and who are willing to attend regular follow-up examinations.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Elective refractive surgery is usually deferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding until refraction stabilises.
Cataract and lens condition
Cataract or clinically significant crystalline-lens opacity.
Anterior chamber angle
Insufficient anterior chamber depth, narrow angle or anatomy outside the requirements of the selected model.
Endothelial cells
Inadequate corneal endothelial cell density.
Glaucoma and eye pressure
Uncontrolled glaucoma or ocular hypertension, active uveitis, intraocular infection and selected corneal disorders.
Refractive stability
Unstable refraction that would quickly make the calculated lens power outdated.
Retinal condition
Retinal or optic-nerve disease may limit visual potential despite accurate refractive correction.
Risks of the procedure
Recognised risks include IOP elevation, inflammation, infection, endothelial cell loss, unsuitable vault, cataract, glare/halos, residual refractive error, lens displacement and possible exchange or explantation.
Assessment before ICL
Comprehensive refractive and anatomical testing assesses the cornea, anterior chamber, endothelium, crystalline lens, IOP and retina.
Choosing a spherical or toric lens
If significant astigmatism is present, the need for a toric lens is assessed separately.
When urgent care is needed
Sudden visual loss, increasing pain, marked redness, photophobia, nausea with eye pain or rapid deterioration after surgery requires urgent ophthalmic assessment.
Limitations and safety
Sudden visual loss, increasing pain, marked redness, photophobia, nausea with eye pain or rapid deterioration after surgery requires urgent ophthalmic assessment.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Comprehensive assessment
Comprehensive refractive and anatomical testing assesses the cornea, anterior chamber, endothelium, crystalline lens, IOP and retina.
Stage 2
Lens calculation
The doctor calculates ICL power and size and considers a toric lens for astigmatism.
Stage 3
Model check and preparation
The surgeon selects the lens model and individual preparation plan from the findings.
Stage 4
Lens implantation
The folded ICL is inserted through a small corneal incision and positioned behind the iris in front of the natural lens.
Stage 5
Postoperative review
After implantation, the team checks ICL position, IOP, the anterior segment and vault and provides medication and follow-up instructions.
Service benefits
Preserving the natural lens
A phakic lens supplements the eye’s optical system without removing the clear natural lens.
No laser removal of corneal tissue
Correction is achieved with an additional intraocular lens rather than laser reshaping of the cornea.
An option for high myopia
ICL may be considered for high myopia within the indications and range of the specific lens.
Calculating lens power and size
Individual measurements help select Visian ICL power and size for the eye’s anatomy.
Methods comparison
Criterion
Visian ICL
Visian ICL Toric
Corneal laser correction
Refractive lens exchange
Primary role
Spherical refractive correction with the natural lens retained.
Spherical + astigmatic correction.
Corneal reshaping.
Refractive correction after natural-lens removal.
Natural lens retained
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
Natural accommodation
Preserved if present before surgery.
Yes.
Yes.
Lost.
Effect on the cornea
No refractive ablation.
No refractive ablation.
Corneal tissue is reshaped/removed depending on method.
No refractive ablation.
Intraocular surgery
Yes.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Astigmatism
May remain with a non-toric model.
Toric component treats cylinder.
Often treatable within method limits.
Toric IOL may be used.
Anterior chamber/endothelium
Critical eligibility factors.
Critical eligibility factors.
Not the primary limiting factor.
⬜ Evaluated under different criteria.
Corneal thickness/shape
Thin cornea does not automatically exclude ICL.
Same.
Pachymetry/topography and ectasia risk are central.
No corneal tissue removal.
Vault
Requires sizing and follow-up.
Vault requires monitoring; correct axis orientation is also important.
⬜ Not applicable.
⬜ Not applicable.
Cataract
Natural lens remains; age-related and ICL-related cataract risk persists.
Same.
No implant adjacent to the lens.
⬜ Natural lens has been removed.
Implant removal
ICL can be removed/exchanged when indicated.
Can be removed/exchanged/repositioned.
Corneal change cannot be undone.
Natural lens cannot be restored.
Visian ICL
Primary role
Natural lens retained
Natural accommodation
Effect on the cornea
Intraocular surgery
Astigmatism
Anterior chamber/endothelium
Corneal thickness/shape
Vault
Cataract
Implant removal
Spherical refractive correction with the natural lens retained.
Yes.
Preserved if present before surgery.
No refractive ablation.
Yes.
May remain with a non-toric model.
Critical eligibility factors.
Thin cornea does not automatically exclude ICL.
Requires sizing and follow-up.
Natural lens remains; age-related and ICL-related cataract risk persists.
ICL can be removed/exchanged when indicated.
Spherical + astigmatic correction.
Yes.
Yes.
No refractive ablation.
Yes.
Toric component treats cylinder.
Critical eligibility factors.
Same.
Vault requires monitoring; correct axis orientation is also important.
Same.
Can be removed/exchanged/repositioned.
Corneal reshaping.
Yes.
Yes.
Corneal tissue is reshaped/removed depending on method.
No.
Often treatable within method limits.
Not the primary limiting factor.
Pachymetry/topography and ectasia risk are central.
⬜ Not applicable.
No implant adjacent to the lens.
Corneal change cannot be undone.
Refractive correction after natural-lens removal.
No.
Lost.
No refractive ablation.
Yes.
Toric IOL may be used.
⬜ Evaluated under different criteria.
No corneal tissue removal.
⬜ Not applicable.
⬜ Natural lens has been removed.
Natural lens cannot be restored.
Book an appointment
Book a KazRIED consultation so the ophthalmologist can measure your ocular anatomy, compare Visian ICL with other refractive options and determine whether the specific available lens model is appropriate for you.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Posterior chamber phakic Visian ICL implantation (excluding the IOL cost) (per eye)
from 453 000 ₸
Posterior chamber phakic Visian ICL Toric implantation (excluding the IOL cost) (per eye)
from 486 000 ₸
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 9 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalmurzaev Kanat Kayratuly
Second-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 10 years
Ophthalmologist
Kazankapov Gumarzhan Kuanyshevich
Visian ICL: lens features, selection, and indications
Visian ICL is a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens. “Phakic” means that the natural crystalline lens is preserved. The implant sits behind the iris and in front of the anterior lens capsule, providing additional optical power inside the eye.
The Visian ICL family is manufactured by STAAR Surgical from Collamer material. According to the manufacturer, correction ranges and the availability of options for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism vary by region.
Which parameters guide lens selection?
Visian ICL selection combines optical calculation with an assessment of anatomical safety. The clinician considers:
- refractive stability and age;
- natural lens clarity;
- anterior chamber depth and angle;
- corneal endothelial cell density;
- anterior segment dimensions;
- intraocular pressure;
- retinal and optic nerve condition.
Lens power and size are calculated using diagnostic and biometric findings.
What is vault?
Vault is the distance between the back surface of the ICL and the anterior capsule of the natural lens.
An excessively low vault may increase the risk of lens contact and anterior capsule opacification. An excessively high vault may adversely affect the anterior chamber angle and intraocular pressure.
Correct sizing and postoperative monitoring are therefore important alongside optical power selection.
How is the correction pathway selected?
- High, stable myopia: if the cornea is unsuitable for the selected laser correction, an extended assessment evaluates the anterior chamber and endothelium before lens calculation and an implantation decision.
- Myopia with regular astigmatism: Visian ICL and Visian ICL Toric are compared. If toric correction is needed, the separate Toric service is considered.
- High hyperopia: availability of the appropriate model at KazRIED must first be confirmed. Surgery is considered only when the registered model’s instructions and the eye’s anatomy permit it.
- Reduced accommodation, significant presbyopia, or lens changes: the clinician compares ICL implantation with refractive lens exchange. Cataract also affects the choice.
High myopia requires a careful peripheral retinal examination. Identified changes may affect the sequence of treatment.
Why must the specific model be confirmed?
The exact model, lens generation, diopter range, and anatomical criteria must be confirmed for the lens actually used at KazRIED.
FDA labeling for the classic Visian ICL includes model-specific limits for age, anterior chamber depth, and minimum endothelial cell density. These criteria should not automatically be applied at KazRIED without confirming the specific model.
What does the listed price include?
The listed surgical fee excludes the cost of the IOL.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is Visian ICL?
Visian ICL is a family of posterior chamber phakic Collamer lenses from STAAR Surgical. The lens is implanted behind the iris and in front of the clear natural crystalline lens to correct refractive error without removing the natural lens.
How is Visian ICL different from other phakic lenses?
A phakic intraocular lens is a general category of implanted lenses used while preserving the natural crystalline lens. Visian ICL is a specific family of posterior chamber phakic lenses with a particular design and manufacturer.
Are Visian ICL and EVO ICL the same?
Not exactly. EVO is a newer generation within the ICL family and includes a central port for aqueous circulation. Classic Visian ICL designs did not have this feature, so indications and procedural requirements depend on the exact model.
How does standard Visian ICL differ from the toric version?
The non-toric lens primarily corrects spherical refractive error. A toric version also incorporates cylindrical correction for suitable patients with astigmatism.
Who may be suitable for Visian ICL?
It may be considered in adults with stable refraction, a clear natural lens and suitable ocular anatomy, particularly with high myopia or when corneal parameters limit laser refractive surgery.
What age is suitable for Visian ICL?
There is no single age range covering every ICL generation. Age indications depend on the specific model, regulatory labelling and natural lens status, so age must be assessed together with full refractive and anatomical evaluation.
Does refraction need to be stable?
Yes. Refraction should be stable before elective phakic lens surgery. Continued refractive change can lead to residual or increasing myopia or astigmatism after surgery.
Can Visian ICL be used with a thin cornea?
A thin cornea is not automatically a contraindication. Because a phakic lens does not require corneal tissue removal, it may be considered when corneal parameters limit laser surgery, provided the rest of the eye meets the requirements of the selected lens.
Can Visian ICL correct astigmatism?
Toric ICL models are available for astigmatism. Suitability depends on cylinder magnitude and stability, axis, ocular anatomy and the approved range of the specific lens.
Can Visian ICL be used for hyperopia?
Hyperopic versions of Visian ICL exist in some markets, but availability depends on the country and specific model. Not every Visian ICL should be assumed to be approved for hyperopic correction.