The implantable contact lens, also known as implantable collamer lens, or ICL is an alternative to LASIK, SMILE and PRK. For patients with high levels of nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, and thinner corneas the ICL may be the preferred solution.
The implantable contact lens is a refractive implant that is placed inside the eye to correct nearsightedness with or without associated astigmatism. The implant is placed behind the iris and in front of your crystalline lens. It is made of biocompatible Collamer material. The ICL has been in use for over 25 years in the US and Worldwide. The recovery time with the ICL is very short with most patients achieving their best vision as soon as the next day or following week after surgery. Patients should be functional one day postoperatively with minimal discomfort the day of surgery and typically none the day after surgery.
The ICL procedure, also known as Implantable Contact Lens or Implantable Collamer Lens, is an alternative procedure to other refractive surgeries such as LASIK, SMILE or PRK. ICL surgery can be used to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism.
The Implantable collamer lens surgery can correct nearsightedness.
The ICL can also correct nearsightedness associated with astigmatism.
At present in the US hyperopia can not be corrected with the ICL.
Intraocular Contact Lens surgery is an excellent vision correction option for patients with thinner corneas and higher corrections. Importantly it provides excellent quality of vision and is incredibly precise in obtaining the ideal postoperative result. Patients undergoing ICL implant surgery tend to enjoy short recovery time, minimal discomfort during and after surgery, and the ability to resume normal activities without the dependence of glasses shortly after the procedure. The most recent version of the ICL is called the EVO Visian ICL. With the EVO design allows the surgeon to implant the lens in one less step than before and makes the procedure even more seamless for the patients.
Positive Aspects of the EVO Visian ICL
If you are interested in learning more about ICL surgery, or would like to know if you are a candidate, schedule a consultation – virtual or in-person.
ICL corrective eye surgery may be an option for patients who do not qualify for LASIK because of dry eyes, thin corneas or their correction is beyond what corneal surgeries can achieve. The goal with ICL surgery is to reduce if not eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. A thorough eye exam is needed to make sure one is a good candidate for surgery.
The first step is to schedule a consultation to find out if the Visian spherical or toric implantable collamer lens is the best solution for you. During your consult, a thorough eye exam will be completed. You will be educated about what to expect and the doctor / surgeon will determine if your expectations can be met with the procedure. Once this is determined the process is straight-forward.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 20 minutes. Topical numbing drops and oral sedation are typical. Some patients may benefit from IV sedation for additional relaxation, however, ICL surgery is quick and should be near or totally painless. The surgery is performed in one of our state-of-the-art operating rooms. After your procedure, post-operative instructions regarding medications and activity restrictions will be discussed.
At Discover Vision Centers we know that superb training and extensive experience afford the best outcomes for patients. Dr. Doane is fellowship trained in refractive surgery and has had over 25 years of experience treating a full array of patients that wish to minimize or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. We believe the best outcomes are achieved with the best education, training and experience. In addition we believe added benefits positively impact the patient experience including:
ICL surgery is seen as an elective procedure which is not covered by insurance. Your insurance may offer a discount, but you should plan on the majority if not all of the cost as an out-of-pocket expense. Discover Vision has several options to help make ICL surgery more affordable. We offer See Today, Pay Later financing through CareCredit, subject to credit approval. We also encourage you to use FSA and HSA (flexible spending and health savings accounts) to pay for your ICL procedure tax-free.
Discover Vision Centers proudly serves Greater Kansas City and surrounding areas. If you’re searching for “ICL surgery near me,” look no further. We have 9 locations and 3 surgery centers to serve you. However, Dr. John Doane is the primary surgeon who performs ICL procedures. Schedule a consultation, virtual or in-person, with Dr. Doane in Leawood or Independence, or with his team: Dr. Brent Parsons in Independence or Lee’s Summit and Dr. Lon EuDaly in Leawood.
About Our Surgeons
Dr. Doane is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is the past President and Chairman of the Board for the American / European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery. He is an active lecturer and writer on refractive surgery topics in the US and Internationally.
The first step is to schedule a consultation for ICL surgery with Dr. Doane and his team. These consultations are performed virtually or in-office with Dr. Brent Parsons (Lee’s Summit or Independence), Dr. Lon EuDaly (Leawood), or Dr. Doane (Independence or Leawood).
99% of patients are satisfied with their results after ICL surgery. The immediate visual improvement with ICL is literally amazing to patients. Occasionally patients may need a “ touch-up” surgery but this is approximately 1% of patients.
ICL surgery is seen as an elective procedure which is not covered by insurance. Your insurance may offer a discount, but you should plan on the majority, if not all of the “upgrade” as an out-of-pocket expense. Discover Vision has several options to help make surgery more affordable. We offer See Today, Pay Later financing through CareCredit, subject to credit approval. We also encourage you to use FSA and HSA (flexible spending and health savings accounts) to pay for your procedure with tax-free dollars.
ICL surgery is a stable refractive procedure meaning that after two weeks the result should not change. The patient anatomy can change with time. Specifically, if the natural lens develops cataracts which everyone will experience with aging then the vision can be decreased. At this point cataract surgery would be recommended.
