ICL (Interocular Contact Lens) surgery also popularly known as EVO Implantable Collamer is a good substitute for LASIK surgery. This surgery is ideal for nearsighted people, i.e., those people who cannot see things that are far away. Generally, nearsighted people see objects that are further away as blurry. So, for these people, a great way to get their vision corrected is by going for ICL eye surgery which involves the insertion of implants into the eyes permanently.
Different Types of ICL Eye Surgery
Primarily, there are two types of ICL Eye Surgery options available for people suffering from near-sightedness. Have a look:
ICL Soft Lens
A soft lens, as the name suggests, is made from a flexible polymeric material. This material has the property of easily conforming to the shape of your eye. Its design is almost like the natural collagen in your cornea, which is one of the main reasons it minimizes the likelihood of an adverse reaction.
During a soft lens implantation procedure, the eye surgeon makes a small incision in your cornea and places the ICL inside your eye, between the iris and the lens. The procedure does not require stitches.
Intraocular Lens
This type of ICL surgery is tailored for patients who cannot go for the LASIK option due to severe near-sightedness. In the intraocular lens procedure, the surgeon inserts the lens between the cornea and the iris, which helps in improving the focus capabilities of the eye.
Tiny stitches are used to close the incision, ensuring that the lens remains securely in place. With this lens type, vision may decline with age, and patients might need reading glasses later in life. If cataracts develop, the lens must be removed before cataract surgery can be performed.
Does the Vision Correction Last Permanently?
For the most part, yes. It is possible to remove the lenses. However, the removal requires another surgery. If you do choose to have lenses removed following ICL surgery, there is a possibility that your vision may be worse than before the surgery. This is because, over time, eyesight becomes worse and as you no longer have the lenses, you are likely to see worse than before without the aid of those lenses that you were wearing.
Are There Any Associated Risks with ICL Surgery?
There is no denying the fact that just about any medical procedure comes with some sort of risk. Therefore, you need to talk to your eye doctor about the pros and cons of ICL surgery before making your decision. As every case is different, you need the advice of a professional and dedicated eye specialist. For instance, if you are in Australia, you can use the services of A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama who is recognized as a top surgeon for ICL surgery. When performed under the guidance of a specialist doctor, the possibility of risk decreases considerably.
Below are some risks associated with ICL surgery that you should know before undergoing this surgery:
- Vision loss. It’s possible that your vision will get worse following ICL surgery. Implanting lenses may not be successful or may damage your eyesight further.
- Changes in vision. ICL surgical patients may have double vision, see halos, experience glare, or struggle to see clearly in low light.
- Additional surgery. If the first ICL surgery isn’t successful, you may need another. If the lens is off-center or moves out of place, a surgeon must cut your eye again to adjust or replace the lens.
Final Thoughts
Although there are risks to ICL eye surgery, they are greatly reduced when the procedure is done by an accomplished doctor such as A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama. So, if you have near-sightedness and cannot go for LASIK, book your appointment today and begin your journey towards clear and improved eyesight.