Implantable Collamer Lenses(ICL)- Surgery, Cost & Risk

Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs)

For over two decades now our specialist team at AccuVision have helped thousands of patients achieve their visual goals despite being found ‘unsuitable’ for Laser Vision Correction at some other providers. That said, for a small percentage of patients who may indeed be unsuitable for Laser Vision Correction, due to age, eye anatomy or some outlying factors, Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs) may be an option.

If your prescription is beyond the safety limits of modern excimer lasers, if your cornea is too thin or irregular or if you have keratoconus, then Laser Vision Correction may not be the most effective treatment for you.

An ICL which is also referred to as a phakic IOL is a very tiny, thin and flexible lens that is placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the crystalline lens. The aim of implanting an ICL is to correct your prescription and either reduce or eliminate your dependence on spectacles or contact lenses.

On your treatment day you will be at the clinic for around 2 hours. The treatment typically takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye and is performed under topical anaesthesia with eye drops to minimise any pain. You may be given some mild sedation to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable. Your surgeon will create a small ‘keyhole’ incision at the edge of your cornea and insert the ICL into the eye, ensuring that it is perfectly positioned in order to give you the best possible outcome. You will rest for a short time after the treatment and once your surgeon is happy with your treatment you can return home.

You will be given some eye drops to use and we recommend that you have someone with you to assist you. Patients usually report some mild discomfort for the first day or two following the treatment and you may also feel light sensitive.

We recommend taking a few days of rest following the treatment and avoiding any heavy lifting or exercise for a few weeks. The next day after your treatment you will be seen for a follow up appointment where your progress will be assessed.

Although some patients have both eyes treated in the same session, others may be advised to wait a week or two before having their second eye treated and we will guide you on what is best in your case.

Benefits of implantable collamer lenses (ICLs)

May be suitable for patients with very high or complex prescriptions that cannot be corrected with Laser Vision Correction.
ICLs are ‘additive’ which means that the ICL can be removed in the future if necessary.

Risks of implantable collamer lenses (ICLs)

All intraocular lens procedures are more invasive than Laser Vision Correction which is performed on the outer layers of the cornea which is the transparent window at the front of the eye. This means that there are significant and sight threatening risks with ICL treatment or for that matter any intraocular lens treatment. We always carefully select only those patients where the benefits of ICLs significantly outweigh the risks.
Risks include inflammation, raised intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, development of cataract and corneal oedema among others.

If you have been told elsewhere that you are unsuitable for Laser Vision Correction then AccuVision may well be able to help you. Our experience, expertise and technology allow us to successfully treat a wider range of prescriptions and complex cases using customised treatment plans with Laser Vision Correction. If you have been told by another clinic that ICLs or another lens surgery is your only option then get in touch with us for a second opinion to find out more about the individualised treatment plans that we are able to offer our patients.