Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy · Last reviewed June 14, 2026 · Review policy (Arabic)
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ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) implantation is one of the procedures cornea surgeons turn to when a patient isn't a suitable candidate for laser vision correction such as LASIK. A lens implanted inside the eye corrects refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
This article walks through ICL surgery — what it is, how it works, the different lens types, and how to know whether your case calls for one.
Let's start with the question patients ask most: what does it cost?
ICL surgery is expensive for some patients, and the main reason is the high price of the implantable lens itself. That is why surgeons typically recommend it only in specific cases — usually those that are not suitable for LASIK surgery.
ICL is a relatively simple surgical procedure, performed under topical anaesthesia using numbing eye drops.
The lenses themselves are synthetic intraocular lenses, surgically implanted inside the eye and positioned between the cornea and the iris.
Vision depends on light being focused onto the retina. An ICL lens helps focus light correctly on the retina, giving clear vision without glasses or contact lenses, and it corrects refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
How does an implanted lens differ from a contact lens? An implanted lens works from inside the eye, not on its surface the way a contact lens does.
Because it sits inside the eye, an implanted lens also provides a permanent vision correction — it can only be removed through another surgical procedure.
A few recommendations to follow before ICL implantation:
In some cases, your surgeon may also prescribe certain eye drops.
The procedure is performed through a small corneal incision. Dr. Shaarawy creates an opening of around 2 mm — small enough that it heals quickly and needs no sutures afterwards.
Through this incision, he implants the lens using a dedicated injector. The lens goes in folded and is positioned in front of or behind the iris — either alongside the eye's natural lens, or in place of it.
The procedure takes about 5 minutes per eye. You'll need someone to drive you home afterwards, or at least guide you on the way back.
Your surgeon will prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops.
ICL lenses are made of specialised materials that also shield the eye from harmful ultraviolet light.
The base material is silicone or acrylic, coated with specialised compounds that help protect the eye.
These materials are inert and pliable — which is exactly what allows the lens to be folded for insertion during the implantation procedure.
Lenses come in a range of designs and materials, matched to each eye's anatomy and the purpose of the implantation.
Every ICL lens has two main parts:
ICL is one of the safest options cornea surgeons reach for in cases that are not suitable for LASIK procedures of any type.
So which cases need ICL implantation, with no other route to refractive correction?
Age matters too. The typical candidate is between 18 and 40 years old — though outside this range candidacy is still possible, and your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate option with you.
How long will recovery take? This is usually the biggest worry. In practice, vision typically improves the day after ICL surgery, then keeps improving gradually over the following month to six months.
"Are there coloured lenses I can have implanted?" We get this question a lot. To be clear: the primary purpose of ICL surgery is to correct refractive errors such as myopia and hyperopia. The implantable lenses are transparent, and thanks to their small size they are not visible to the naked eye.
