Eye Co Ophthalmic Surgeons

Implantable collamer lens surgery

Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery

What is an Implantable Collamer Lens?

An implantable collamer lens (ICL) is a lens that is implanted inside the eye to correct focusing errors of the eye such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) or astigmatism.  It is a permanent alternative to glasses and contact lenses.

Having ICLs implanted is like having a contact lens implanted inside the eye. ICLs cannot be felt and they don’t need to be cleaned.

What does ICL surgery involve?

ICL surgery is done in hospital as a day procedure.

Your eye is not removed and replaced during surgery.

Using a very small incision (approximately 3mm), the ICL lens is inserted into the eye where it is positioned behind the pupil. No stitches are required.

What are the advantages of ICL surgery compared to laser eye surgery?

Advantages of ICL surgery include
  • The procedure is entirely reversible
  • Very high prescriptions that would otherwise not be suitable for laser eye surgery can be treated with ICL surgery
  • ICL surgery usually causes less dry eye symptoms after surgery than laser eye surgery.