WHAT IS ICL?
GETTING “ULTRA-HIGH DEFINITION VISION” WITH IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS (ICL)
Severely nearsighted and told you’re not a candidate for LASIK? Then you may want to join the more 900,000 people worldwide who have had the Implantable Collamer Lens procedure. ICL is a vision-correcting procedure in which an artificial lens is implanted in the eye to correct severe myopia.
HOW ICL CREATES “ULTRA-HIGH DEFINITION VISION”
In the ICL procedure, a lens is inserted behind the iris and in front of the lens via a 3mm self-sealing incision. No corneal tissue is removed, and the incision heals without any stitches, and your vision will improve immediately! The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll be back to your regular activities within a few days.
Patients report significant improvement immediately after surgery. Vision after recovery from ICL is often called “ultra-high definition.”
WHY ICL IS PREFERABLE TO LASIK
Patients who do not qualify for LASIK will often opt for ICL, particularly if they have more severe myopia. ICL is preferable for those with severe myopia because ICL does not involve removing any corneal tissue. That also makes it an ideal choice for people with thin corneas who do not qualify for LASIK.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR ICL SURGERY?
Many people are simply not candidates for LASIK or PRK, and ICL may help them achieve the clear vision they dream of. If you have any of the following conditions, you may not be able to have LASIK or PRK, but you may qualify for ICL.
- Irregularly shaped corneas
- Extremely high prescriptions
- Moderate dry eyes
There are, however, certain parameters that you must meet to be a good candidate for ICL. You must:
- Have a stable prescription for 1 year
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have moderate to extreme nearsightedness
- Have generally healthy eyes without any serious ailments or disease
The only way to know if you are a good candidate for ICL is to come in for a free consultation. We’d be happy to answer all your questions and let you know if you’re a candidate for ICL.
DOES ICL HURT?
In a word – no, ICL does not hurt. Numbing eye drops will be applied to your eyes before the procedure so you won’t feel a thing other than maybe some light pressure. You may also be given a light sedative, as well.
You also will not be able to feel the ICL implant, either. It is made to be completely undetectable, both by you and to people looking at you.