Am I a Good Candidate for ICLs?

For anyone considering a vision correction procedure like an implantable collamer lens, also known as ICLs, it is an important question. While it is natural to want to arm yourself with some information, the most relevant answer to the question “Am I a Good Candidate for ICLs” is provided after a thorough consultation and evaluation of your eyes and vision with a highly-qualified surgeon. However, to help guide this process, here is an overview of what a surgeon looks at to determine your eligibility for ICL surgery. 

ICL candidates are between 21 and 45 years of age and have healthy eyes and a stable vision prescription for approximately one year. The most advanced ICL technology, the EVO ICL, treats:

• Nearsightedness can be corrected for prescriptions ranging from -3.0 D to less than -15 D with up to 4.0 D of astigmatism.
• EVO ICLs can reduce nearsightedness in patients with prescriptions between -15 D and -20 D.

There are certain eye measurements your eye surgeon will take as part of your consultation to determine if you are a candidate for Implantable Collamer Lenses.  Patients who have been told they are not eligible for laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK and PRK because the prescription is too strong, or the condition of their cornea is too poor, may be good candidates for ICLs.

Importantly, ICLs are not suitable for every patient. Be sure to make your eye surgeon aware if you are pregnant or nursing as hormone fluctuations can impact the outcome of the procedure. In addition, chronic, degenerative, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, and certain medications (steroids, immunosuppressants) may interfere with the healing process and should be discussed with your surgeon. Other issues impacting suitability for ICLs include:

• Those patients outside the eligible age range (between 21 and 45 years old)
• Those with eye anatomy or shape that cannot accommodate an ICL

Part of determining if you are a good candidate for an ICL vision correction procedure is making sure you know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. That means getting and understanding the answers to all of your questions so you can make an informed decision about moving forward with the procedure.  Here is a list of some of the most asked questions about the ICL vision correction procedure: 

What happens during ICL surgery?

The ICL surgery takes about 20 minutes to complete. First, the eye is numbed with some eyedrops and an eyelid holder is gently inserted to keep the eye open during the procedure. Then, a very tiny opening, approximately 3 mm, is made in the surface of the eye, known as the cornea. The surgeon inserts the ICL through this opening, behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural lens. 

Is the procedure safe? Does it hurt?

Clinical research shows the risk of serious sight-threatening complications from ICL surgery is incredibly rare. This data found less than 1 percent of procedures resulted in a loss of two or more lines of vision on the Snellen Eye Chart. To keep you comfortable during the procedure, numbing eye drops are used – the eye is anesthetized to prevent you from feeling pain – and you will likely be offered some medication to help calm your nerves.

What are the risks of ICL surgery?

As with all surgery, there is a risk of rare complications from ICL surgery including infection, retinal detachment or loss of corneal cells, which can lead to vision loss. Patients are closely monitored during the recovery and healing process, particularly measuring pressure in the eye to protect against vision loss due to an increase in eye pressure.

What is recovery from ICL surgery like?

Most patients see better right after surgery, but it is normal for vision to be blurry or hazy during the recovery and healing process. It may be comforting to know that patients go home the same day to rest and recover. The surgeon will place an eye shield on your face to prevent accidental rubbing or touching the eye. You will receive instructions about medications, including an eye drop routine which supports healing by preventing infection and reducing inflammation. Most importantly, patients are expected to come to follow-up appointments so the eye doctor can monitor the healing progress. Most patients can return to work and drive after a couple of days after ICL surgery, however, it can take a few weeks to recover and completely heal from the procedure.

Of course, you may have more questions – and you should feel completely comfortable asking them to get the information you need to know if you are a good candidate and if an ICL vision correction surgery is right for you. This is why developing a strong relationship with a highly-qualified surgeon is essential to making a confident choice about your vision correction. Want to learn more? Read about vision correction surgeries and the qualifications of refractive surgeons and search RSC’s database of surgeons in your area to schedule a consultation to find out if you are a candidate.