ICL is a new technology that involves using small, foldable lenses that are implanted inside the eye, between the colored portion of the eye and the natural lens to correct nearsightedness. These small lenses are capable of correcting large amounts of nearsightedness and may be better surgical solutions for those with high corrections or corneas that are too thin to safely allow laser treatment.
How is ICL performed?
Your surgeon will make a small incision in the front part of the eye through which they will place the lens behind the iris. The procedure takes minutes to perform and is typically done under mild anesthesia. If needed, the lens can be removed in a similar fashion.
What are the risks and side effects of ICL?
As ICL implantation is an intraocular surgery, there exists a risk of infection inside the eye. Several steps are taken to reduce this risk. Other complications that may require more surgical intervention would be development of a cataract and problems related to the cornea. The side effects are generally mild and include a dry sensation, some discomfort in the first 24 to 36 hours and fluctuating vision as the lens stabilizes.
What are the results of ICL technology?
After implanting ICL, 99 percent of patients were "satisfied/very satisfied" with their results. 98.3 percent of patients had uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Once vision was corrected, the correction was stable and did not change over the follow up period. Additionally, the incidence of glare, halos, double vision, night vision problems, and night driving difficulties decreased or remained unchanged from before surgery.
Who is a candidate for ICL?
Currently, ICL is only approved for those with nearsightedness.
Vision ICL in the Military
The Military recently released statistics about the success of using the ICL to improve the sight of our soldiers. Click here to read more about the Vision ICL in the Military.
