An implantable contact lens, also known as an Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), is a lesser-known method of surgical vision correction. However, ICL surgery is a valuable part of the refractive surgeon’s arsenal. Of particular importance, an implantable contact lens could be the answer for someone who is unsuitable for the more popular laser vision correction techniques such as LASIK or PRK eye surgery. However, as with most things in healthcare, there are some implantable contact lens pros and cons you should know about before going ahead with anything.
How Does ICL Surgery Work?
An implantable contact lens is very similar to a regular contact lens placed on the front surface of the eye, the cornea. However, as the name suggests, ICL surgery involves inserting (implanting) the implantable contact lens internally into the eye.
Once the implantable contact lens has been inserted, you will have no physical awareness of it being there. The ICL is placed between the coloured iris and your eye’s natural crystalline lens, so it cannot be seen from the outside.
ICL surgery takes around 20 to 30 minutes per eye. During the procedure, you will be made comfortable on the operating table with a light sedative if needed, and your eye will be numbed with a local or topical anaesthetic. A tiny incision is made at the edge of your cornea. Through this, the implantable contact lens can be inserted and positioned in the correct location. The corneal incision may then be left to self-seal, or your ophthalmologist may apply some tiny stitches.
After ICL surgery, you’ll be given a few eyedrop medications to help the eye heal and a list of post-operative instructions to follow. ICL surgery is a day procedure, so no overnight stay in the hospital is necessary.
Implantable Contact Lens Pros and Cons: The Pros
ICL surgery is an excellent alternative to the better-known laser vision correction techniques, such as LASIK and PRK. In some cases, it may be preferred over those methods. The advantages of ICL surgery include:
- It can correct high degrees of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. One of the limitations of laser eye surgery is that it relies on a minimum amount of corneal thickness. All laser vision correction techniques involve the vaporisation of corneal tissue to reshape it and change the refraction of light. The higher the prescription, the more tissue that needs to be removed. While the treatable prescription range with LASIK and PRK is extensive, an ICL can extend this range even further as it isn’t based on modifying the cornea. Implantable contact lenses can correct myopia up to -18 dioptres, hyperopia up to +10 dioptres, and astigmatism up to -6 dioptres.
- It can be a better option for people with dry eye disease. The advantage of ICL in this context again is based on the fact that it leaves the cornea largely undisturbed. Laser vision correction methods result in disruption to the corneal nerves, often resulting in exacerbation of dry eyes. ICL surgery requires only a tiny incision, leaving these nerves mainly intact, which helps preserve tear production and avoid worsening dry eye.
- It is reversible. Although the procedure is designed to be a permanent correction, the ICL can easily be removed and even replaced with a different ICL if needed. This can be useful if your prescription changes dramatically for some reason or if you develop cataracts requiring surgery at an older age.
- It can be a safer and more effective technique for patients otherwise unsuitable for laser eye surgery.
While exclusion criteria for ICL surgery also apply, patients may be excluded from LASIK or PRK based on corneal thickness, shape, or other corneal diseases such as keratoconus.
These patients could be eligible for ICL.
- It can provide superior clarity of vision, particularly at night. Disturbances to the cornea can often result in glare, haloes, or suboptimal night vision. ICL surgery circumvents these issues.
- It allows rapid recovery. The recovery period is typically relatively short because the procedure is minimally invasive and doesn’t require tissue removal.
Implantable Contact Lens Pros and Cons: The Cons
Of course, any discussion about implantable contact lens pros and cons would not be complete without a mention of the risks and disadvantages of this procedure. Fortunately, this list is shorter than the pros.
- There are still eligibility criteria to meet. In addition to fitting inside the treatable prescription range, a suitable candidate for ICL surgery should be between 18 to 50 years old and not have any other significant vision-limiting diseases. Such conditions may include advanced cataracts or profound amblyopia (lazy eye).
- There is a risk of inducing another eye condition. Namely, these include glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye and subsequent damage to the optic nerve), early cataracts, or a retinal detachment. These usually occur only if the ICL procedure was poorly performed. As with any surgery, there is also a low chance of an eye infection during the procedure or during the recovery period.
- It can be costly. Higher-powered implantable contact lenses are generally more expensive. Approximately, ICL surgery costs around $4000-5000 per eye, some or none of which may be covered by private health insurance.
If you’ve been considering surgical vision correction, ICL surgery could be a viable option for you. Speak to your optometrist or ophthalmologist about your suitability.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
What you need to know about ICL vision surgery.
https://www.healthline.com/health/icl-surgery
Pros and cons of the implantable contact lens (Visian ICL).
Implantable collamer lens.
LASIK eye surgery is a popular form of refractive surgery, a category of eye procedures designed to surgically correct the Read more
In the past, people with any significant degree of astigmatism were excluded from laser eye surgery, leaving only glasses or Read more
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