When laser surgery is not feasible (this concerns up to 5% of patients), implants (ICL) should be used.
These extremely thin implants are inserted between the iris and the lens. Their thinness is similar to contact lenses, hence the name "Implantable Contact Lens".
The procedure allows for the correction of optical defects not accessible by laser such as :
- cornea too thin
- suspected keratoconus or fragile cornea
- strong myopia and astigmatism
It is now a modern, simple and safe alternative to laser. The high precision implants can be customized according to the visual disorder of each individual
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. A very thin implant is inserted through a 3-millimeter incision in the cornea between the posterior surface of the iris and the anterior surface of the lens. The color of the eyes is not altered and the recovery is very fast and painless. More than 2 million of these implants have been placed over the past 25 years.
The benefits of an implantable contact lens (ICL) at a glance
- Also allows the treatment of very important vision defects. (up to myopia of -18 diopters)
- Minimally invasive "additive" surgery - maintains corneal stability and does not affect dry eye
- Reversible - the lens can be removed at any time
- An alternative to laser eye treatments
- Comfortable and fast healing
- Biocompatible material (very well accepted) in Collamer known for 30 years
FAQ
Implantable contact lenses are also known as phakic implants. This treatment is generally recommended for patients under the age of 40 who do not require reading glasses, although we can treat patients up to age 60 if they are suitable for treatment.
The ICL is placed in front of the natural lens of your eye and behind the iris. With ICL surgery, the natural lens remains in place, so the procedure is reversible, should your visual needs change.
At Vision Laser, we use the EVO Visian implantable contact lens produced by STAAR Surgical for all ICL treatments. This lens is an excellent choice because it can meet very strong prescriptions (up to +10 for hyperopia, -18 for myopia and +6 for astigmatism). It is made of collamer, which means that it is biocompatible and works in natural harmony with your eye, while offering UV protection.
More than 2,000,000 EVO Visian ICLs have been implanted worldwide over the past 25 years and 99.4% of EVO Visian ICL patients worldwide would have the procedure again.
By making the decision to have artificial lens surgery, you should enjoy a dramatic improvement in your vision and the ability to see things much more clearly and accurately. Some of these benefits include:
- Biocompatibility: The material from which the lens is made contains collagen, which allows it to work in natural harmony with your eye.
- Reduced risk of dry eyes: Because the ICL procedure does not involve reshaping your corneal tissue, the risk of developing dry eyes after treatment is much lower.
- Reversibility: If your prescription changes in the future, your ICL can be removed and replaced with an updated version. This means you're also prepared for any technological advancements, with nothing stopping you from getting the latest lens later.
- Night Vision: Clinical studies have shown that the EVO Visian ICL provides excellent night vision, which is beneficial in many areas of life that might have been more difficult with glasses and contacts, such as driving in the dark.
- UV Protection: The Collamer material of the lens offers UV protection. UV rays can damage the eyes by causing various eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. EVO Visian ICL helps to reduce this risk.
- Quick procedure and recovery: Treatment typically takes 20-30 minutes and patients often notice an immediate visual difference. Most patients return to their normal routine within a few days.
The vast majority of our patients report that the surgery is comfortable. We apply anesthetic eye drops before the procedure.
Patients sometimes report feeling some pressure after the procedure. There is a post-operative treatment with drops.
A precise estimate will be made. This will cover the entire surgery and postoperative visits. There will be no hidden costs for you to worry about. After the treatment, we recommend an annual follow-up. This appointment is essential to check the health of your eyes and the compatibility of the lenses.
The operation itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. However, it is best to allow up to two hours at the clinic, as you will need to take into account preparation time and post-op explanations.
Your surgically implanted contact lenses are designed to last a lifetime.
You may have slightly blurred vision for a few days after the operation. It will gradually improve with time.
You will receive one year of free follow-up, during which we will meet several times to discuss the progress of your recovery from ICL surgery. Your first appointment will be scheduled the day after your surgery, and two more will take place over the next 4 to 6 weeks.
This will depend on how well you are recovering from the surgery. Some people can drive the day after the procedures, while for others it may take a week. The best thing to do is to ask your doctor at your follow-up appointments. He or she will be able to tell you when it is safe to drive again.
Our team of specialists is there to assist you every step of the way.
or by phone at 022 860 80 60
- 1st laser surgery center in Geneva
- More than 10'000 operations performed
- Maximum safety for your eyes
- An efficient and available team