ICL surgery – Implanted Contact Lens

What types of conditions will benefit from ICL Surgery ?

ICL Surgery is when implanted contact lens (otherwise known as phakic IOLs) are used to correct very high refractive errors where laser treatment such as LASIK or PRK may be unsuitable. Like your eye’s natural lens, an ICL focuses light that comes into your eye through the cornea and pupil onto the retina, the sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that relays images through the optic nerve to the brain. Like the lenses of prescription eyeglasses, your IOL will contain the appropriate prescription to give you the best vision possible.

What does the ICL Surgery procedure involve ?

In IOL Surgery an intra ocular lens is inserted through a small incision in the cornea and placed behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. This differs from Lensectomy in that the natural lens is not removed from the eye. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia and intra-venous sedation with the patient awake throughout the procedure. The use of a flexible IOL enables the lens to be rolled for insertion into the capsule through a very small incision, thus avoiding the need for stitches, and this procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. The recovery period is about 2–3 weeks. After surgery, patients should avoid strenuous exercise or anything else that significantly increases blood pressure. They should also visit their ophthalmologists regularly for several months so as to monitor the implants.

 What are the risks of ICL Surgery ?

As with any surgical procedure there are risks to consider before having surgery. Technology and surgical techniques have reduced these risks to a very low level however risks associated with eye surgeries, such as infection, loosening of the lens, lens rotation, inflammation and night time halos need to be considered.

What are the benefits of ICL Surgery ?

IOLs enable many patients to have reduced dependence on glasses, most patients still rely on glasses for certain activities, such as reading.