ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) treatment is the ideal solution for patients with prescriptions not suitable for laser eye surgery. ICL provides the same good results as LASIK, but requires no removal of corneal tissue and thus is the treatment of choice for people with thin corneas and extremely high refractive errors of near-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia (lao hua).
At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, the Visian Implantable Contact Lens (STAAR Surgical Company, USA) is available.
The Visian ICL is able to correct myopia of -3.0 D to -20.0 D (US FDA approved). Toric models, which can correct both myopia and astigmatism simultaneously, are also available, so astigmatism sufferers can also expect total spectacle freedom post-operatively.
Implantable collamer lens or ICL, is a soft, flexible gel-lens made of a collagen copolymer material, named by combining “collagen” and “polymer”. This material is biologically inert and will have no reaction with the rest of the eye once implanted. The ICL procedure is a popular alternative to LASIK and PRK since it requires no removal of the corneal tissue and is also reversible. It has been in use worldwide for more than 30 years , with > 1 million ICL implantations having been performed worldwide and published clinical trials with long term results have shown ICL to be safe and effective. ICL gained US FDA approval December 2005 for the treatment of myopia.
ICL enters the eye through a 2.5mm incision at the corner of the eye
Implantable Contact Lens
LASIK
During ICL surgery, the ICL is surgically implanted inside the eye where it resides behind the iris muscle and in front of the crystalline lens permanently. ICL requires no maintenance after the procedure and functions very similarly to contact lens in improving visual acuity. For most patients, ICL provides permanent freedom from glasses or contact lenses.
At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia as a day surgery procedure only. Both eyes are operated on at the same time. The flexibility of the ICL enables the lens to be rolled for insertion into the soft silicone tip of the micro incision injector through a very small incision (2.5mm) thus avoiding the need for stitches, and this pain-free procedure usually takes 10 minutes per eye in the hands of an experienced ophthalmologist. Following the procedure, most people have immediate use of their eyes. The recovery period is typically 1 night, with no pains and most patients are able to go to work the next day. Patients can resume all normal activities other than swimming the next day.
Whilst the older version of ICLs required a peripheral iridotomy laser procedure beforehand to prevent glaucoma (raised eye pressure) post-op, Dr Natasha Lim uses only Generation 5 ICLs with CenterFLOW that has central KS-Aquaport, thus peripheral iridectomy is not necessary so procedure time is shortened and the overall patient experience enhanced. With the addition of this central port, eye pressure remains stable and refractive outcomes are better and there has been no incidents of cataract formation.
| Refractive Surgery (1 eye) * Excludes post operation medications and reviews | Fees Per Eye (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Implantable contact lens | From $3200 |
A person is not a good candidate for ICL if they:
ICL implantation carries same risks, but these are really very rare, and less than 0.1% incidents in our Day Surgery Centre.
One of the key advantages of ICL surgery is reversibility. If there are any changes to the layer of your eyes in older age, the ICL can be removed relatively easily. More commonly, revision surgery involves replacing one ICL with a smaller or larger lens to improve the fit in the eye, or repositioning the ICL within the eye. If revision surgery is required, the recovery is the same and as quick as the original surgery. Our eye centre charges a minimal fee only for replacement as we have our own day surgery.
LASIK is a proven and safe procedure, but only 95% of people qualify for it. This is very much dependent on corneal parameters which are taken at the time of LASIK assessment. ICL surgery does not involve the cornea, hence for some patients whose corneas are unsuitable for LASIK, ICL may be an option.
eg: Thinned corneas or sacred corneas or severe dry eyes.
More and more people are electing for ICL surgery even though they may be suitable for LASIK. These patients prefer not to have their corneas thinned, prefer not to suffer any dry eyes and desire reversibility. All these are the advantages of ICL over LASIK.
Dr Natasha Lim specializes in all types of refractive procedures such as LASIK, LASEK and Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). She is well equipped to help you select the safest and most suitable procedure for your eyes in an unbiased manner.
Authored by: Dr Natasha Lim
More than 20 years of experience in Ophthalmology
Internationally renowned pioneer LASIK surgeon for LASIK surgery in Singapore
MBBS (UK)
B.MED. Sci (UK)
MRCOphth (Lond)
FRCOphth (Lond)
Medical Director & Senior Consultant
Ophthalmology