About EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2022, EVO ICL is an implantable lens that corrects vision without the removal of any corneal tissue (as happens during LASIK and PRK surgery) or lens replacement. In fact, a permanent, implantable contact lens, the ICL is placed over the existing lens. In addition to treating common vision issues such as nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism (blurry or distorted vision), the implant increases day and night vision without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The EVO ICL procedure offers patients the following benefits and advantages:
- Fast recovery time.
- Minimal to no haze, glare, and halos.
- Minimal need for postoperative medications.
- A safe and effective option for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK.
- An option for patients with severe nearsightedness who cannot be treated with LASIK.
- Offers the flexibility of removal unlike LASIK or PRK, which are permanent surgeries.
- Since the implant is placed over your natural lens, it can offer UV protection similar to sunglasses.
- Although the ICL is a foreign object being placed inside the eye, the implant material is made from collagen, which is highly biocompatible with the natural chemistry of the eyes.
What Happens During an ICL procedure?
- Measuring your eye: The treatment during ICL surgery is based on measurements of a patient’s vision prescription. During your consultation, your ophthalmologist will perform a detailed eye exam, and mapping of the cornea, refraction, and lens calculations. These measurements will determine the power of the lens to be implanted. You have to stop wearing your contact lenses for at least two weeks prior to this appointment to ensure your eyes are in best condition for testing.
- Delivering your personal treatment: After numbing the eyes with eye drops, the surgeon creates a tiny incision in the eye. The EVO ICL is placed on top of your natural lens and fastened into position.
What to Expect After ICL Surgery?
The recovery after ICL surgery is simple and includes these steps:
- The small incision will heal completely over time, usually one to two weeks.
- Most patients can resume regular activity within a few days after the procedure.
- There is minimal discomfort during an overnight recovery period.
- Short postoperative drop treatment period.
- Since ICL surgery does not change the anatomy of the eye or remove any cornea tissues, the implant can be removed or replaced if needed.
Am I a Candidate for EVO ICL?
A thorough preoperative exam and consultation with a board certified ophthalmologist is the best way to determine if you are a candidate for EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL). The initial pre-operative eye exam will measure the curvature of the eye, and check corneal thickness, pupil size, tear production, and stability of the refractive error. All of these factors are taken into consideration when determining if a patient is a candidate for laser eye surgery as well as which procedure is best for them. Patients should use this opportunity to ask questions and discuss any lifestyle changes they need to make during their recovery period.
It is likely you are an excellent candidate for the ICL procedure if you meet the following conditions:
- Patients 21–45 years old with a refractive error.
- High prescription eyeglasses (or thick glasses) or contact lenses.
- Best for correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism (blurry vision).
- Patients with thin corneas, dry eye syndrome, keratoconus (a cone-like bump on the cornea), and other eye condition where LASIK is counter indicated.
- Having a stable eye prescription (with documented evidence that your refraction did not change by more than 0.50 to 1.0 diopter during the year prior to your preoperative examination).
- Have a job or participate in activities (like sports) where a corneal flap is contraindicated.
- Not being pregnant or nursing.
ICL should not be performed on people with:
- Cataracts that affect vision.
- An unstable (changing) refractive error.
- A history of autoimmune disease (such as lupus erythematosis) because it has been shown that these patients may heal poorly following treatment and have an uncontrolled reaction to the surgery.
Your ophthalmologist will be able to advise what procedure may be right for you based on your eye and overall health.