ICL Lens Implantation: Everything You Need to Know

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) implantation is one of the procedures cornea surgeons turn to for patients who are not suitable candidates for laser vision correction such as LASIK. Implanting a lens inside the eye corrects refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

In this article we'll walk through ICL surgery — what it is, how it works, the different lens types, and how to know whether your case calls for an ICL.

The Cost of ICL Lens Implantation

One of the most common questions about this procedure concerns the cost.

ICL surgery is expensive for some patients, mainly because of the high price of the implantable lens itself. For this reason, surgeons typically recommend it only in specific cases — usually those that are not suitable for LASIK surgery.

What Is ICL Lens Implantation?

ICL is a relatively simple surgical procedure. It is performed under topical anaesthesia using anaesthetic eye drops.

The lenses used in this procedure are synthetic intraocular lenses surgically implanted inside the eye, positioned between the cornea and the iris.

The retina is where light is focused for vision. ICL lenses help focus light correctly on the retina to provide clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. They correct refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

The difference between an implanted intraocular lens and a contact lens is that an implanted lens works from inside the eye, not on its surface as a contact lens does.

Implanted lenses also provide a permanent vision correction because they sit inside the eye, and can only be removed via another surgical procedure.

Before ICL Surgery

There are some recommendations to follow before ICL implantation:

• You should stop wearing contact lenses for at least one week before surgery.
• Before the procedure, Dr. Shaarawy will perform measurements of your eye to help select the lens type best suited to you.

In some cases, your surgeon may also prescribe certain eye drops.

During ICL Surgery

The procedure is performed through a small corneal incision. Dr. Shaarawy creates an incision of around 2 mm, which does not require any sutures afterwards because it heals quickly.

Through this incision, Dr. Shaarawy implants the lens inside the eye using a dedicated injector. The lens is folded for insertion and is positioned in front of or behind the iris — either alongside the eye's natural lens, or in place of it.

After ICL Surgery

The procedure takes about 5 minutes per eye. After surgery, you'll need someone to drive you home or guide you on the way back.

Your surgeon will prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops.

What Are ICL Lenses Made Of?

The lenses used in ICL surgery are made of specialised materials that protect the eye from harmful ultraviolet light.

They are made of silicone or acrylic, and are coated with specialised compounds that help protect the eye.

The materials used to manufacture intraocular lenses are inert and pliable, so they can be folded for insertion during the implantation procedure.

Lenses come in a range of designs and materials, suited to each eye depending on its anatomy and the purpose of implantation.

An ICL lens has two main parts:

• The optic — the central section that performs the refractive function, similar to the eye's natural lens.
• The haptics — two extended arms made of the same material as the optic, which hold the lens in position.

Who Is a Candidate for ICL Surgery?

ICL is one of the safest options cornea surgeons turn to in cases that are not suitable for LASIK procedures of any type.

So which cases require ICL implantation, with no other option for refractive correction?

• Patients with thin corneas, where ICL is preferred to avoid further changes (such as steepening or ectasia) on the corneal surface.
• Patients with high myopia greater than -8.00 D, where laser correction is not appropriate.
• Patients with high hyperopia greater than +5.00 D, where laser correction is not appropriate.
• In cases of cataract, where the affected lens is replaced with a new intraocular lens.

Other factors influence your candidacy for ICL surgery, including:

• Age: the typical candidate is between 18 and 40 years old. Outside this range, candidacy is still possible — your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate option with you.

When Does Vision Improve After ICL?

Patients are often most concerned about how long recovery takes. In practice, vision typically improves the day after ICL surgery, with a gradual continued improvement over the following month to six months.

Are Coloured Implantable Lenses Available?

"Are there coloured lenses I can have implanted?" This is one of the most frequently asked questions. We should clarify that the primary purpose of ICL surgery is to correct refractive errors such as myopia and hyperopia. The implantable lenses are transparent and are not visible to the naked eye because of their small size.