Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)

At TLC Laser Eye Centres, we’re committed to providing vision solutions to our patients to improve the quality of their lives. Even if you have been told you are not a good candidate for laser eye surgery, you may be eligible for another vision correction procedure, including an Implantable Contact Lens (ICL).

ICLS

ICLs are especially great options for patients with very high or complicated prescriptions.

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The lenses used for this procedure are similar to small contact lenses, but instead of sitting on the eye’s surface, they are implanted inside the eye. Once in place, the lens cannot be felt or seen. It requires no regular maintenance other than a routine, annual visit to your eye doctor. ICLs are also reversible. This is because no corneal tissue is removed during the procedure, unlike other laser procedures. So, if for any reason your vision changes and/or a cataract develops later in life, the ICL can be removed.

Over 1 million ICLs have been implanted in patients worldwide, making it one of the safest and most common elective medical procedures available.

Benefits of Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs)

The satisfaction rate among patients who’ve received an ICL is extremely high – above 99%. 
Some of the key benefits of an ICL include:

  • Offers UV protection
  • Doesn’t cause dry eye
  • 99% patient satisfaction1
  • The procedure and recovery are typically quick
  • Can be removed, if needed
  • Undetectable once in place
  • Can offer enhanced night vision
  • Can treat astigmatism, myopia
  • Can offer significant visual improvement2
  • Over 1 million procedures performed worldwide3
  • Possible option for patients who aren’t candidates for other vision correction procedures (like LASIK or PRK)4

Am I a Good Candidate for an ICL?

General requirements for good candidates are those who:

  • Are over the age of 21
  • Have normal eye exams
  • Have no evidence of cataracts
  • Have mild, moderate, or severe nearsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism
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Results and Recovery Time with an ICL

Not only is the procedure often quick, but the recovery time with an ICL also tends to be very short. Patients are often back to their normal routine within 1-2 days of the procedure. We will schedule you for a follow-up appointment the day after your surgery in order to monitor your recovery progress. The best part is that most patients experience improved vision immediately post-procedure.

Please note that you will not be able to drive following your ICL implant. You will need to arrange for someone to pick you up and take you home to rest post-procedure. You will also need a driver to take you to your first post-op appointment the following day.

Ready to learn more about ICLs?

The only way to confirm if you are a good candidate for an ICL is through an eye examination. During a pre-operative consultation, our team will be happy to evaluate your overall eye health, needs, and desired outcomes in order to determine if an ICL or another vision correction procedure is right for you.

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1 MICL PMA data 
2 Shin, JY. Ahn, H. Seo, KY. Kim, EK. Kim, TK. Comparison of higher order aberrations after implantable collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guide LASEK in high myopia. J Refract Surg. 2012; 28(2): 106 -111 
3 Data on file. STAAR Surgical. 
4 Parkhurst, G. Psolka, M. Kezirian, G. Phakic intraocular lens implantation in United States military warfighters: A retrospective analysis of early clinical outcomes of the Visian ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(7):473 - 481