What are implantable contact lenses (ICLs)?
A lot of patients considering vision correction surgery inquire about implantable contact lenses, also known as implantable collamer lenses or ICLs. ICLs were approved by the FDA in 2005 and have been growing in popularity ever since.
ICLs were developed for patients with moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness) who wish to have sharp, clear vision without having to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Implantable lenses can safely correct nearsightedness across a prescription range spanning between -3 to -15 diopters. Patients who may not qualify for LASIK surgery due to their high myopia prescription or eye anatomy are ideal recipients of ICLs. Although ICLs are not appropriate for treating farsightedness, ICL toric lenses can be used to treat astigmatism.
Intraocular Lens Implantation
An ICL is inserted in front of the natural lens so that, working together, they provide high-quality vision across a wide range of correction. ICLs are also called phakic intraocular lenses (or phakic lenses). “Phakic” refers to the fact that the lenses are implanted without removing the eye’s natural lens.
The phakic IOLs are made from collamer: a soft plastic and collagen-based biocompatible material. The implantation procedure only takes about 20 minutes per eye and you’ll notice vision improvement the next day!
First, the doctor will put anesthetic drops on your eyes. Then, they’ll make a small incision along the side of your eye and insert the ICL behind the iris. The implanted lens sits in front of your natural lens. The ICL works by focusing light entering your eye on the back surface of the eye (the retina). This corrects your vision deficit (known as your refractive error).
Are there advantages of implantable contact lens vs LASIK?
When it comes to deciding between ICL and LASIK refractive surgery, a frank discussion with your ophthalmologist is necessary. Your doctor will go over the suitability of one procedure versus the other for your particular situation.
For the appropriate candidate, implantable contact lenses offer several advantages over laser eye surgery for achieving better vision.
- ICLs offer a vision correction solution to nearsighted persons with thin corneas or other eye conditions that disqualify them for laser vision correction.
- The ICL procedure is reversible because the prescription lens is in the anterior chamber of your eye, in front of your natural lens. So, if the desired outcome is not achieved, or if your vision changes over time, we can repalce the lenses or remove them altogether.
- Patients with severe dry eyes may have fewer potential post-op side effects after ICL surgery than laser vision correction.
- The surgery to insert ICLs does not involve removing corneal tissue and thus is less disruptive and more in harmony with your natural eyes.
- The ICL offers UV protection to your retinas, something not possible with laser vision correction.
- ICLs provide excellent night vision with no halos around lights (which some people experience after laser vision correction).
- ICL has a high success rate and 99% patient satisfaction with over 1 million procedures performed worldwide.
- The ¨lifetime¨ of an ICL is 90 years, so the lenses are guaranteed for life.
Am I a good candidate for implantable contact lenses?
Your eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether you are a suitable candidate to undergo ICL surgery. Aside from anatomical requirements, to qualify for an ICL surgical procedure you must:
- Be between 21 and 45 years old.
- Have from -3 to -15 diopters of nearsightedness (myopia) and no more than 2.5 diopters of astigmatism.
- Have written evidence that your nearsightedness prescription has been stable for at least one year.
- Be able to lie flat on your back during the procedure.
- Not be pregnant or nursing.
What are the disadvantages of implantable contact lenses?
When deciding upon any medical device or surgery, it’s important to be aware of all pros and cons associated with each option. Below are a few points you should be aware of when considering ICLs.
- You will need to have an in-office procedure prior to your ICL surgery. Two weeks prior to your ICL surgery, your eye surgeon will need to prepare your eye by creating two holes along the edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) with a laser.
- Another surgery may be necessary to remove, replace or adjust the position of the ICL. Sometimes the selected lens may over or under-correct your vision, necessitating a second procedure to fine tune the results.
An FDA long term follow up of the Visian ICL clinical trial tracked 526 eyes for 5 to 7 years after implantation and found that 8.2% required a second surgery. - Increased risk of developing cataracts (clouding in your natural lens). Your risk of developing cataracts increases with every year that the ICL remains in your eye. Because of this, you’ll need annual eye check-ups after ICL surgery to check for cataracts.
The good news is that if you eventually require cataract surgery, you can have your natural lens replaced with a prescription lens instead of a crystalline lens and have your ICL removed. - Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) can develop over time in patients who are very nearsighted. Since ICL patients are nearly all nearsighted, it stands to reason that they’re more likely than others to develop increased eye pressure, putting them at risk for glaucoma. One study found that of 2,999 eyes with Visian ICL implants, 47 eyes (or 1.6%) required treatment for increased IOP or glaucoma within 5 years of ICL surgery.
- Cost. This is where the rubber meets the road for many patients. That’s because ICLs are appreciably more expensive than laser vision correction. There’s a lot of price competition among laser vision correction practices which helps drive down the price. Lasers are very expensive and vision correction practices must keep them running full time in order to cover their costs, so they’re willing to cut prices to keep their machines busy.
What does ICL surgery cost at AGEI?
As in all things, you get what you pay for. When it comes to your vision, you want to be under the care of an ophthalmologist who is experienced and performs lens implantation surgery frequently, not just a few times per year.
Depending on your prescription, degree of astigmatism, and other variables, the cost of implantable contact lenses can range from $4,500 to $6,200 per eye. These prices include pre-op planning, lens selection, the lenses themselves, the pre-op procedure for surgical preparation, and all post-op care. A considerable investment but, for the right candidate, ICLs can make a notable improvement in not just their quality of vision but their quality of life.
AGEI Guarantee
Nearly all of our ICL patients have told us that they’re thrilled with their decision to get ICLs.
At AGEI we stand by our results. That’s because we have highly skilled surgeons with extensive experience in performing vision correction surgery for southern Californians and international patients. In the rare event that your natural healing process causes your corrected visual acuity to drift from the intended outcome, we will give you the option of a complementary LASIK vision procedure to fine-tune your vision. Because giving you the crispest, clearest vision possible is our goal.
If you are considering eye surgery for vision correction and would like to explore your options, schedule a consultation with one of our experienced ophthalmologists who will examine your eyes and review vision correction options that are suitable for you.
Why AGEI is your best choice for Implantable Contact Lenses
The doctors at Assil Gaur Eye Institute offer world-class eye care and vision correction. At AGEI, you will experience state-of-the-art medical facilities that bring together revolutionary technologies with the most experienced hands in ophthalmology. Our goal is to help you achieve your personal best vision.
For more information or to schedule a consultant, please call 866-945-2745 or visit us here to make an appointment.
At Assil Gaur Eye Institute we take our patients’ safety seriously. Our facility’s Covid-19 patient safety procedures exceed all CDC recommendations. Masks are required in our institutes at all times.
We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Dr. Harris continued her education at Pennsylvania College of Optometry where she received another bachelor’s degree in vision sciences and then a doctorate of Optometry. While at the college, she served as an ambassador to the school and a tutor for her fellow professional colleagues. Her clinical and classroom work yielded academic achievement awards and bid her membership in the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.
She completed clinical rotations during her fourth year at a few private practices in addition to the William Feinbloom Low Vision Rehabilitation Center and Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia.
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