Lifetime cost of visual aids:
$0*EVO ICL®
in Scottsdale & Phoenix
EVO ICL®
in Scottsdale & Phoenix
King LASIK’s Scottsdale office offers EVO ICL surgery for patients across the greater Phoenix metro. EVO ICL is an FDA-approved, reversible implantable lens that corrects moderate to high nearsightedness without touching the cornea. It is a strong fit for adults ages 18 to 50 who are not candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas or high prescriptions, or who want a tissue-preserving alternative. Our expert EVO surgeons have performed more vision correction procedures than any other practice in the country. Consultations are free, in-person or virtual.
What if something inside your eye could correct your vision without ever touching your cornea? The EVO ICL is a small, flexible lens placed inside the eye to deliver sharp, clear vision. No corneal reshaping, no changes you cannot undo.
At our Scottsdale location, our expert EVO surgeons bring more vision correction experience than any other practice in the country. With 350,000+ vision correction procedures performed, we have seen virtually every clinical scenario. Not a LASIK candidate? Prefer a lens-based approach? We want to talk.
What Is the EVO ICL?
The EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a small, soft lens placed inside the eye to correct moderate to high nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. Manufactured by STAAR Surgical and FDA-approved since 2022, the EVO ICL sits comfortably inside the eye, nestled between the iris and the natural lens, without touching the cornea at all.
Unlike laser vision correction, the EVO ICL does not remove or reshape corneal tissue. It is an additive lens, meaning your eye’s natural structure remains completely intact. The lens works with your eye’s existing anatomy rather than altering it.
Research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that more than one-third of patients saw even more clearly after the EVO ICL than they ever had with glasses, and not a single patient saw worse. That is a meaningful benchmark for any vision correction option.
The EVO ICL is made from Collamer®. Collamer is derived from collagen, the same protein found naturally throughout the human body, which is why the lens integrates so smoothly without triggering a foreign body response. It also contains a built-in UV filter, offering a layer of protection that standard vision correction does not.
One of the most significant distinctions of the EVO ICL is that it is reversible. If your vision needs change at any point, the lens can be removed or exchanged. That flexibility is simply not possible with laser-based approaches.
How the EVO ICL Works
The EVO ICL corrects vision by changing how light is focused as it enters the eye. Myopia, nearsightedness, occurs when light focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry. The EVO ICL adds a precisely made lens inside the eye that bends incoming light so it lands exactly where it should, right on the retina.
Because the lens is placed inside the eye rather than on the surface, patients are generally not aware of its presence once it settles. There are no lens care routines, no insertion and removal each day, and nothing that can shift or dry out during a long flight or an early morning meeting.
The Collamer material is soft and flexible, which allows the lens to be folded and introduced through a micro-incision in the eye. The incision is small enough that it typically self-seals without sutures. Once the lens is in position, it unfolds and assumes its correct placement behind the iris.
Benefits of the EVO ICL
Vision Quality
Clinical research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that the EVO ICL frequently produces visual acuity that equals or surpasses a patient’s best corrected vision with glasses. Patients commonly report that their sight feels sharper and more natural than it did with contacts, particularly in low-light conditions and at night.
No Corneal Tissue Removed
Because the EVO ICL is additive, the cornea remains untouched throughout. This is a meaningful advantage for patients with thin corneas or other eye characteristics that would rule them out for LASIK or PRK. Preserving the cornea also keeps future options open, including lens-based cataract treatment later in life.
Lower Dry Eye Risk
LASIK and PRK work by reshaping the surface of the cornea, and that process can interfere with the nerves that signal your eyes to produce tears. Dry eye is one of the most commonly reported side effects after laser vision correction. Because the EVO ICL is placed inside the eye without touching the cornea, those nerves stay intact, and most patients find their eyes feel just as comfortable as they did before. A 2024 study in Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology found that patients experienced significantly less dryness after the EVO ICL than patients who had laser-based correction.
Reversibility
The EVO ICL is designed to remain in place for life, and in the vast majority of cases it does. But it is also the only vision correction lens that can be removed if circumstances change. Whether the reason is a significant shift in prescription, a health development, or personal preference, the lens can be safely extracted. This is not an option laser procedures can offer.
Built-In UV Protection
The Collamer material used in the EVO ICL absorbs ultraviolet radiation, providing a layer of eye protection that is not present in standard vision correction approaches. Arizona’s high UV index makes this a particularly relevant benefit for patients in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Patient Satisfaction
A comprehensive review of implantable collamer lens literature found that 99.4% of patients who received the lens reported they would choose it again, a figure that reflects both the quality of the visual outcomes and the comfort of the overall experience.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the EVO ICL?
Not every patient is a candidate for every vision correction option, and the best way to know for certain is a comprehensive evaluation at our Scottsdale office. That said, the EVO ICL tends to be a strong fit for patients who meet the following profile.
Age and Prescription Stability
The EVO ICL is generally recommended for adults ages 18 to 50 whose prescription has been stable for at least one year. A stable prescription tells us that your vision has settled, which helps us choose the right lens and gives you more predictable, lasting results.
Moderate to High Myopia
The EVO ICL is FDA-approved to correct nearsightedness to treat nearsightedness up to -20.0 diopters and astigmatism up to 4.0 diopters, a range that includes many prescriptions too strong for LASIK to safely address.
Thin or Irregular Corneas
LASIK requires a minimum corneal thickness to perform the laser treatment safely. Patients whose corneas do not meet that threshold are often told they are not LASIK candidates. Because the EVO ICL does not involve corneal reshaping, corneal thickness is generally not a disqualifying factor.
Dry Eye Sensitivity
Patients who experience chronic dry eye, or those who have noticed increased dryness with contact lens wear, often find that the EVO ICL is a more comfortable long-term option than laser-based correction. Because the EVO ICL is placed inside the eye without touching the cornea, those nerves stay intact, and most patients find their eyes feel just as comfortable as they did before.
Patients Who Want a Reversible Option
For patients who value the ability to reverse their vision correction choice, the EVO ICL is the only implantable lens that offers that flexibility. While most patients never need or want to remove it, knowing the option exists provides peace of mind that is simply not available with LASIK or PRK.
Factors that may affect candidacy include the internal dimensions of the eye, certain eye health conditions, and pregnancy. Our surgeons will review your complete medical and ocular history during your free consultation and give you a clear, honest answer about whether EVO ICL is appropriate for you.
What to Expect at Our Scottsdale Office
From your first conversation with our team to your post-operative follow-up visits, we aim to make the EVO ICL experience at our Scottsdale location as clear and comfortable as the vision we help you achieve. Here is how the process works.
Your Free Consultation
Every journey toward visual freedom begins with a no-cost, no-pressure consultation at our office in Scottsdale. Our expert EVO surgeons will take detailed measurements of your eyes and review your vision and health history. We will walk you through what your options are, what we recommend, and why, and we will answer every question you have before you leave.
Lens Ordering and Pre-Op Preparation
If the EVO ICL is determined to be the right fit, your lens is custom-ordered and sized specifically for your eye using precise measurements taken during your consultation. If you wear contact lenses, you will be asked to stop wearing them for a period before the placement to allow your eye to return to its natural shape. Our team will provide detailed pre-operative instructions and be available to answer any questions that come up in the time between your consultation and procedure day.
Procedure Day
The EVO ICL placement typically takes 5 to 6 minutes per eye. The full visit, including preparation and post-procedure rest, runs approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Numbing eye drops are used to keep you comfortable throughout, and most patients report feeling minimal to no discomfort. You will need a driver to take you home, and we ask that you plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Recovery and Follow-Up
Most patients notice significantly improved vision within the first 24 hours. Downtime is minimal, and most people return to normal daily activities within one to two days. We schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and confirm that you are achieving the results we planned together. Our Scottsdale team is available to you throughout the recovery process.
PREPARATION
Numbing eye drops ensure your comfort throughout the procedure
LENS INSERTION
A small, self-sealing incision allows for precise lens placement
POSITIONING
The ICL is carefully positioned behind the iris and in front of your natural lens
RECOVERY
You’ll rest briefly before being discharged with post-operative instructions
Safety and Potential Risks
The EVO ICL has a well-documented safety profile, supported by FDA clinical trial data and a growing body of peer-reviewed research. The six-month results showed that the large majority of patients achieved 20/20 vision or better, with a strong safety record and no serious adverse events related to the lens itself.
A comprehensive literature review covering 67 preclinical and clinical reports found high rates of stability, predictability, and patient satisfaction. As with any surgical procedure, the EVO ICL carries risks that you should understand and discuss with our surgeons before making a decision. Potential complications identified in published research include:
- A temporary rise in eye pressure
- Cataract formation (rare)
- Infection or post-operative inflammation
- Need for lens repositioning or removal
- Visual disturbances such as halos or glare, particularly in low-light conditions
A 2022 analysis in International Ophthalmology looked at complications during and after EVO ICL placements and found that risk rates were low when the procedure was performed by experienced, certified surgeons. Surgeon experience and proper patient selection are among the most important factors in minimizing risk.
Our expert EVO surgeons at King LASIK will discuss your individual risk profile in full during your consultation. We will not recommend a procedure unless we are confident it is the right fit for your eyes.
EVO ICL Cost and Financing in Scottsdale
The cost of the EVO ICL varies based on your prescription, the specific lens required, and any additional testing or follow-up care included in your treatment plan. Your free consultation at our Scottsdale office is the right place to get a clear, specific number based on your eyes.
Most insurance plans classify the EVO ICL as an elective procedure and do not provide coverage. However, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds are generally applicable. Our team will walk you through every financing option available at our practice to help make your vision correction goal as accessible as possible.
We offer a range of financing options to help make your life-changing vision correction even more affordable. Many patients find that when they factor in what they currently spend on glasses, contacts, solutions, and exams each year, the EVO ICL pays for itself within a few years.
Lifetime Savings from LASIK
Starting age:
18
Number of years between purchasing new glasses:
0
Average cost of prescription glasses and lenses:
$0
Boxes of contacts purchased in a year:
0
Cost of a box of contact lenses:
$0
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Why Choose King LASIK in Scottsdale?
Vision correction is all we do. We have performed more than 350,000 vision correction procedures, more than any other practice in the country, and we bring that depth of experience and data to every patient we see at our Scottsdale location serving the greater Phoenix area.
North America’s Most Experienced Surgeons
Our founding surgeons have performed more laser vision corrections and advanced lens procedures than any other surgeons in North America. That kind of volume means we have seen virtually every clinical scenario, and we use that accumulated knowledge to guide each patient toward the best possible outcome for their unique eyes.
Leading-Edge Technology and Diagnostics
We use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate your eyes with precision before recommending any procedure. Our pre-operative measurements inform every custom lens selection and surgical plan. The technology we use is not just state of the art, it is the same technology used in the studies that validate these outcomes.
Honest, Personalized Guidance
We tell you what we see, what your options are, and what we would recommend if you were a member of our family. We are a solution-based practice, which means we will tell you if EVO ICL is not the right fit and explain why. No pressure, no one-size-fits-all approach, just a clear conversation about your vision and what we can do about it.
Convenient Access for Scottsdale and Phoenix Patients
Our Scottsdale office is conveniently located to serve patients throughout the greater Phoenix metro, including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, and Peoria. Whether you are coming from central Phoenix or the East Valley, you are never far from a free consultation.
Flexible Financing
We offer a range of financing options to help make your vision correction as accessible as possible. Our team will walk you through every option during your free consultation.
King LASIK Scottsdale
Our Scottsdale office serves patients from across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Paradise Valley, and Peoria.
Frequently Asked Questions About EVO ICL in Scottsdale
Yes. The Collamer material used in the EVO ICL has a built-in UV absorber that filters harmful ultraviolet radiation. For patients living in high-UV environments like the Sonoran Desert, that added protection is a meaningful bonus on top of the vision correction itself.
The EVO ICL is designed as a permanent vision correction lens and, in most cases, remains in place for life. It can be removed or exchanged if your prescription changes significantly or if a health development makes that necessary. This reversibility is one of the features that distinguishes the EVO ICL from laser-based correction.
No. Once the EVO ICL is properly positioned, patients are not aware of its presence. The Collamer material is designed to work in harmony with your eye, and your body does not react to it as a foreign object. There is nothing to feel, clean, or remove at the end of the day.
The placement is performed using numbing eye drops, and most patients experience minimal to no discomfort during the visit. Some patients report mild sensitivity or blurry vision in the hours immediately following, which typically resolves quickly.
Many patients resume normal activities within one to two days. The timeline depends on your individual healing and the nature of your work. Our team will provide specific guidance based on your situation at your post-operative visit.
If the EVO ICL is not the right fit for your eyes, our surgeons will tell you clearly and explain what your alternatives are. We offer LASIK, PRK, and other vision correction options, and we will recommend the approach that best matches your anatomy and goals.
Yes, in most cases Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account funds can be applied to the EVO ICL. Our team will help you understand your options and work through the details during or after your consultation.
No referral is needed. You can book a free consultation directly by calling our Scottsdale office at (623) 323-2015 or using the link on this page.
Ready to Find Out If the EVO ICL Is Right for You?
Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the greater Valley — your free consultation is the first step. Our expert EVO surgeons will give you a thorough evaluation and a straight answer about what we can do for your vision.
References
- Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:2427-2438. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30568421/
- Martinez-Plaza E, Lopez-Miguel A, Lopez-de la Rosa A, et al. Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:117-125. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577790/
- Packer M. Evaluation of the EVO/EVO+ Sphere and Toric Visian ICL: Six Month Results from the United States Food and Drug Administration Clinical Trial. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022;16:1541-53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35645557/
- Ganesh S, Brar S, Pawar A. Matched population comparison of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction between 3 modalities for the correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017;11:1253-1263. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28740361/
- Zhang H, Deng Y, Ma K, Yin H, Tang J. Analysis on the changes of objective indicators of dry eye after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation surgery. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024;262(7):2321-2328. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38372752/
- Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:2427-2438. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30568421/
- Zhang H, Gong R, Zhang X, Deng Y. Analysis of perioperative problems related to intraocular Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation. Int Ophthalmol. 2022;42(11):3625-3641. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9587946/