EYE · LENS SURGERY
ICL
Also known as: implantable collamer lens · phakic intraocular lens · implantable contact lens
ICL surgery places a thin lens inside your eye, in front of your natural lens, to correct nearsightedness. It's an option for people whose prescription is too high for LASIK, or whose corneas are too thin for it.
- Surgery timeAbout 30 minutes
- AnesthesiaNumbing drops or an injection
- Hospital stayNone, same day
- Time abroadUntil your one-week checkup
What Results Can You Expect from ICL?
Most people see well without glasses or contact lenses after ICL. In studies reviewed by the FDA, 99.8% of eyes saw 20/40 or better without glasses three months after surgery, and about 8 in 10 saw 20/20. Your vision often improves within a day and settles over a few weeks.
Is ICL Safe?
ICL is a well-studied procedure. Because the lens is placed inside the eye, it carries more risk than laser surgery, so your eye surgeon checks your eye pressure and the health of your cornea regularly over the years. Your surgeon explains the risks before you agree to the operation.
Possible Risks
- Raised pressure in the eye
- A cataract, a risk that can increase over the years
- Loss of cells in the cornea
- Glare, halos or poorer night vision
- Infection or inflammation, which are rare
- A second surgery to reposition, replace or remove the lens
- Retinal detachment
Warning Signs After Surgery
Contact your eye surgeon right away if you have severe pain, a sudden drop in your vision, or flashes, floaters or a shadow like a curtain across your vision.
Who Is a Good Candidate for ICL?
You may be a good candidate if you're 21 to 45, nearsighted, your prescription has been stable for at least a year and your eyes are healthy.
Good Candidates
You're 21 to 45. This is the age range the lens is approved for in the US.
Your prescription is stable. It hasn't changed much in the past year.
LASIK isn't right for you, for example because your prescription is very high or your corneas are thin.
Your eyes have enough room for the lens. Your surgeon measures the front of your eye and counts the cells of your cornea.
You're not pregnant or breastfeeding. Hormone changes can affect your vision.
You don't have eye conditions such as glaucoma or uveitis. Tell your eye doctor about any eye problems, injuries or surgery you've had.
If you're nearsighted, Nearsightedness explains the condition and other ways to correct it.
Your eye surgeon makes the final decision after a full eye exam.
How Is ICL Surgery Done? Procedure Steps
ICL surgery is done with numbing drops or an injection, so you're awake, and it takes about 30 minutes or less. You go home the same day. Your eye surgeon decides whether both eyes are treated on the same day.
A Full Eye Exam
BeforeIt measures your pupils, the space at the front of your eye and the cells of your cornea.
Stop Wearing Contact Lenses
BeforeStop wearing them 2 to 4 weeks before your exam and surgery, so the measurements are accurate.
Tell Your Eye Doctor About All the Medicines You Take
BeforeOnly stop a blood thinner after talking to the doctor who prescribed it.
You May Start Eye Drops
BeforeYou may start them a few days before surgery, and you should follow your surgical team's instructions on eating and drinking.
Arrange for Someone to Take You Back
BeforeArrange this for after surgery, because you can't drive yourself.
Preparing Your Eye
StartDrops widen your pupil, and your eye is numbed with drops, an injection or both. You may be given medicine to help you relax.
A Small Incision
StartYour surgeon makes a small opening in the cornea, which usually doesn't need stitches.
Placing the Lens
Main partThe lens is placed behind the colored part of your eye (the iris), in front of your natural lens.
Checking Your Eye Pressure
EndYou rest while the team checks your eye pressure, usually within a few hours, then you go home or to your hotel. You'll receive an implant card with your lens details.
ICL Recovery
Your vision often improves within a day and settles over 2 to 4 weeks. Your eye takes about 8 weeks to heal fully.
Do
- The first days: Your eye may feel sensitive to light or as if something is in it. Sunglasses can help.
- Eye drops: You'll use them for the first weeks to prevent infection and swelling.
- Eye shield: Wear it until your surgeon says you can stop.
- Checkups: Usually the day after surgery, about a week later, and then regularly for years.
Don't
- Don't rub your eye, especially in the first few days, and keep water out of it until your surgeon says it's OK.
- Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activity and bending over until your surgeon says it's OK.
How Long Should You Stay Abroad for ICL?
Plan to stay until your checkup about a week after surgery, and ask your surgeon before you fly.
About 1week
until your second checkup.
Same day
You go back to your hotel after surgery.
A Typical Plan
ARRIVAL
Eye exam
Transfer to your hotel, a full eye exam and measurements for your lens.
SURGERY
ICL
ICL surgery, then rest at your hotel the same day.
THE NEXT DAY
Checkup
Your first checkup.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER
Checkup
Another checkup. Ask your surgeon whether you're ready to fly.
Flight times and entry rules depend on the country you choose. See the travel notes for each country in the comparison above, and check the entry requirements for your passport before you book.
Back Home: Follow-Up
You'll need regular checkups for years, including checks of your eye pressure and cornea, so plan where you'll have them at home. Before you leave, make sure you have your implant card and a written report of your surgery.
How to Choose an ICL Surgeon
Choose the surgeon, not the package price. Look for an experienced eye surgeon who measures your eyes fully, explains whether ICL or another option suits you, and gives you a written plan before you pay.
What to Check
- The clinic's license from the national health authority
- An eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) who performs ICL surgery often
- A full eye exam, including measurements of the front of your eye and a count of your cornea cells
- A written plan with the eye to be treated and the type of lens
- A plan for checkups for the years after surgery
- Everything the price includes
Questions to Ask Your Coordinator
- Am I a better candidate for ICL or LASIK, and why?
- Which type of lens do you recommend for me?
- Will both eyes be treated on the same day?
- Who will perform my surgery?
- How will my checkups work once I'm home?
- Has this clinic been verified, and when?
ICL: Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICL correct astigmatism?
Yes. A version of the lens, called a toric ICL, also corrects astigmatism.
What happens if I develop a cataract later?
The ICL and the cataract are removed together during cataract surgery, and a new lens is placed in your eye.
When can I drive after ICL surgery?
Not right after surgery. Your eye surgeon tells you when it's safe to drive.
Is ICL permanent?
The lens is meant to stay in your eye permanently. It can be removed with surgery, but your vision may not return to exactly what it was before.
Our Sources
What are phakic lenses?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov
Are phakic lenses for you?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov
Before, During & After Surgery: phakic intraocular lenses
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov
What are the risks? Phakic intraocular lenses
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov
Patient information for implantable collamer lenses
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2022 · accessdata.fda.gov
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Surgery
Cleveland Clinic, 2023 · my.clevelandclinic.org
Phakic Intraocular Lenses for Nearsightedness
American Academy of Ophthalmology · aao.org