The most common phakic intraocular lens used in Australia is the Visian ICL (implantable collamer lens). A phakic intraocular lens is a lens implant designed to supplement the focusing power of the natural lens of the eye (unlike RLE where the natural lens is replaced). ICLs are typically recommended for people with more severe forms of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism which cannot be adequately addressed with laser vision correction alone. 
The ICL is made with material similar to a soft contact lens and is designed to sit in the narrow gap behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea under local anaesthetic, the foldable ICL is then inserted into the eye and positioned carefully behind the iris.
ICL surgery usually takes less than twenty minutes to perform with the second procedure (on the fellow eye) scheduled usually 5-10 days later.
