Survey on Awareness of Implantable Contact Lenses (Phakic Posterior Chamber Lenses) for Men and Women Aged 20-40 with Visual Acuity Below 0.1

AtWorking Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 1-4 Kanda Ogawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, WORK VILLA MYJ kanda 5F), which sells "IPCL® (hereinafter referred to as IPCL)" approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2025, conducted a survey on implantable contact lenses targeting men and women aged 20 to 40 nationwide.

IPCL is a treatment method called "implantable contact lens," which corrects myopia and astigmatism by inserting a small lens into the eye. It uses an acrylic polymer material primarily composed of HEMA, which is also widely used in intraocular lenses for cataracts and contact lenses. Unlike LASIK, it does not shave the cornea, making it a highly reversible treatment that allows for lens removal in the future, and is attracting attention. After multi-center clinical trials in Japan, it obtained pharmaceutical approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2025 and was launched in September of the same year.

In recent years, options for vision correction have diversified, and interest in surgical correction methods such as LASIK and implantable contact lenses is growing. According to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, contact lens users in Japan are widespread, from young people to middle-aged individuals, with a higher usage rate particularly among those in their 20s to 40s. Against this backdrop, implantable contact lenses are gaining attention as a choice that considers daily convenience, long-term costs, and future changes in vision. However, the importance of correct understanding regarding safety and risks is also pointed out. This survey was conducted as an internet survey with the aim of clarifying the awareness and understanding of implantable contact lenses among men and women aged 20 to 40 with visual acuity below 0.1, taking into account this social context.

Regarding the implantable contact lens treatment method, over 70% (72.8%) of the survey respondents were aware of it, and approximately 70% (71.9%) expressed interest in the treatment. Notably, women in their 20s and 30s showed a higher tendency to express interest. The reasons for high interest were feeling burdened by "inconvenience of glasses/contacts" and "monthly contact lens expenses." As side effects of the treatment, many cited "fear of surgery" and "safety."

Q1. Awareness Survey

Regarding the implantable contact lens treatment, a survey of individuals aged 20-40 with visual acuity below 0.1 found that 35.5% "knew" about it and 37.3% "had heard the name." Combining these two, 72.8% of the total were aware of implantable contact lenses in some form, indicating it has gained a certain level of recognition as a vision correction option.

Q2. Awareness Survey by Sex and Age

Regarding the awareness of implantable contact lenses by sex and age, a survey of men and women in their 20s...