ICL Surgery
Implantable collamer (contact) lenses are inserted through microsurgical incisions to correct a wide range of refractive error.
What is ICL surgery?
ICL stands for “implantable collamer lens” or you can think about it as an “implantable contact lens”. It corrects refractive error including myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. It is a soft, flexible, biocompatible lens that is positioned in your eye between the iris (coloured part of your eye) and your natural lens. It is an additive vision correction procedure preserving your own natural cornea and lens.
Am I suitable for ICL surgery?
Generally if you are a suitable candidate for laser vision correction (LASIK or PRK), then most people will proceed with that. If your correction is too high, your corneas too thin, or your corneas too irregular for laser vision correction, then ICL surgery is another refractive option. Patients with high myopia may also consider laser vision correction or ICL surgery. Dr Ang will discuss with you refractive options that are suitable for your eyes.
Dr Ang will take measurements of your high to check if you are a suitable candidate for ICL surgery. There needs to be enough room in the front of the eye (anterior chamber depth or ACD) for the ICL to sit nicely. Unfortunately, many people with hyperopia have a narrow ACD that makes them unsuitable for ICL surgery.
How is ICL Surgery performed?
ICL implantation is done as a day surgery procedure and takes about 15 minutes per eye under local anaesthesia and sedation. The surgery involves making small, self-sealing incisions in the cornea. The soft ICL lens is folded into a small cartridge, and the lens then inserted into the eye. ICL surgery has very high success rates and patients are impressed by the quality of vision achieved. ICL is very safe surgery but there are possible risks and complications including infection, glaucoma, and cataract formation. It is important that the ICL sits nicely in the eye and measurements are taken pre-operatively to predict the size of the lens. Occasionally if the size is not quite right, then it can be readily exchanged for another sized lens. In the long-term, Dr Ang advises that patients with ICL implants be reviewed annually post-operatively.