A modern and safe alternative to laser
Implantable ICL lenses, in detail
When laser surgery isn't feasible (this affects up to 10% of patients), implants (ICL) are the way to go.
The procedure corrects optical defects that laser cannot address, such as:
- cornea too thin
- suspected keratoconus or fragile cornea
- high myopia and astigmatism
These extremely thin implants are slipped between the iris and the lens. Their thinness resembles that of contact lenses; ICL stands for "Implantable Collamer Lens."
It is now a modern, simple, and safe alternative to laser. These high-precision implants can be "customized" to each person's visual condition.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Through a 3-millimeter corneal incision, a very thin implant is slipped between the back of the iris and the front of the lens. Eye color is not affected, and recovery is very fast and completely painless. More than 2 million of these implants have been placed over the past 25 years.
ICL surgery can be a good option for people who are not suited to laser eye surgery. It can correct stronger prescriptions. It does not remove any corneal tissue, the transparent part at the front of the eye. The lens can also be removed if needed.
The drawback is that it remains a surgical procedure. It can cost more than laser treatment and requires precise examinations.
ICL surgery is generally safe for good candidates, but any surgical procedure carries risks. These can include infection, inflammation, elevated eye pressure, halos, glare, dry eye, or a change in vision. In some cases, the lens may need to be adjusted, replaced, or removed. More rarely, cataracts or damage to the natural lens can occur. Precise pre-operative examinations help reduce these risks.
Alternatives to ICL surgery are LASIK, TransPRK, and lens replacement. The right choice depends on your age, your correction, the thickness of your cornea, your eye health, and your lifestyle. Laser may suit lower corrections. Lens replacement may suit older patients. A complete assessment remains the best way to compare options.
ICL surgery begins with a complete eye assessment. The surgeon checks your correction, eye pressure, cornea, pupil size, and the space inside the eye. If you are a good candidate, the lens is ordered for your eye. On the day of the procedure, numbing drops are used. A small opening is made at the edge of the cornea. The ICL lens is placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. The eye is checked, and recovery then begins.
