ICL

What is ICL?

The EVO Visian ICL, short for Implantable Collamer® Lens, is a lens implant procedure that can correct myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. The EVO Visian ICL is meant to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts and can be a great option for those who are too nearsighted for LASIK/SMILE or who may not have qualified due to the shape or thickness of their cornea. Unlike other vision correction options, the EVO Visian ICL is an additive procedure that corrects vision without permanently altering or changing the shape of the eye. This means that the ICL lens, while designed to stay in the eye and correct the vision indefinitely, could be removed in the future if necessary, effectively reversing the procedure.

ICL AT A GLANCE

STEP 1:

NUMBING THE EYE

To prevent pain during the procedure, anesthesia drops are used to numb the eye. An eyelid holder is used to prevent the eye from blinking during the procedure.

STEP 2:

INSERTING THE LENS

A small incision is made on the front of the eye to allow for insertion of the ICL lens. The lens is folded for insertion to allow for the smallest possible incision.

STEP 3:

POSITIONING THE LENS

The ICL lens is positioned behind the iris and in front of the natural lens where it will work in harmony with your eye to correct your vision. The lens is not visible once the dilating eye drops wear off and you will not be able to feel it in your eye.

ICL FAQ

Am I a candidate for ICL?

Generally, patients who are 18 years old or older with a stable prescription and healthy eyes may qualify. ICL is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. In particular, ICL is an excellent option for patients with extreme myopia (nearsightedness) who may not qualify for LASIK.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for ICL during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for vision correction surgery now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past.

Is ICL the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from ICL?

The ICL procedure has a quick recovery that is similar to LASIK. Your vision will be blurred for the first few hours following the procedure and you may experience some mild scratchiness or dryness of your eyes. By the next day, any eye discomfort typically resolves and the vision is significantly improved. Most people are able to return to work either the next day or the day after following the ICL procedure.

Is ICL safe? Are there any risks or side effects of ICL?

The EVO ICL was approved by the FDA in March 2022 as a safe and effective procedure for vision correction. Prior to being approved in the US, the EVO ICL has been used successfully for many years internationally with great results. The EVO ICL is made of collamer, a biocompatible material that works in harmony with your eye.

Some of the more common side effects after ICL include mild eye irritation or light sensitivity. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve within days after treatment. Serious complications of ICL are extremely rare.

Is the ICL procedure painful?

During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the procedure? What happens if I move my eye?

At the beginning of the ICL procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the procedure so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

Is ICL a permanent treatment?

A common misconception of vision correction surgery is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect of ICL to last forever. The ICL is an additive procedure that does not permanently alter or change the shape of the eye. This means that the ICL lens, while designed to be left in the eye forever, could be removed in the future if necessary, effectively reversing the procedure.

Additionally, we know that age-related changes will begin to affect the focusing ability of the natural lens inside your eye starting in your mid-40s. This leads to presbyopia or the need for reading glasses to see things up close. This is a normal and expected change with time that is unrelated to having the ICL procedure. The good news is that if you don’t like using reading glasses, Porter Ophthalmology has additional solutions to make you less dependent on them.

Is ICL covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of vision correction surgery. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make ICL more affordable.

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If you think you’re ready to open your eyes to a clear world every morning, without contacts, glasses, or squinting…

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