Meet Your Alternative to LASIK

Not everyone is a prime candidate for LASIK, whether they have abnormal corneas, severe myopia, chronic dry eyes, or any number of red flags, sometimes LASIK simply isn’t the best way to correct your vision. Don’t lose hope just yet; there is an alternative known as Implantable Collamer Lenses or implantable contact lenses (ICLs), which can be your ticket to glasses-free vision.

You’re also in luck; we’re one of the pioneers of the ICL technique and lead our region in this type of corrective vision surgery. Not only are we one of the best, but we’re also one of the centers that have been doing this type of surgery the longest. We thought we’d go over the ins and outs of ICL surgery.

What Are Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs)?

Think of a contact lens; it’s specially made to correct your vision by refracting light in ways that your existing cornea and lens aren’t able to do adequately. An ICL is very similar with the exception that ICLs are not worn, but implanted using a minor surgical procedure.

How Do They Work?

While LASIK intends to reshape your cornea using laser surgery, ICL surgery serves to implant a new lens behind your iris and in front of your existing and natural eye lens. This lens is made to correct any issues your existing lens may have, giving you better vision in the process.

An ICL is invisible and, once the surgery is over, isn’t any more noticeable than your existing lens. While ICLs work much in the same way as contact lenses, they’re implanted rather than worn and become a natural part of your eye.

Why We Love them as a LASIK Alternative

Many people that wear corrective lenses of one kind or another want LASIK but are simply ineligible for the procedure. Whether or not you are LASIK-eligible, there are many reasons ICL surgery can be a great way to restore your vision.

Eyes do not become dry – no corneal nerves are impacted during this procedure, so recovery does not include dry eyes.
Increased night vision – because we are not changing your corneal shape you can achieve a natural quality of vision, with little impact on your night vision unlike with LASIK
Collamer is biocompatible – the material used in manufacturing your ICL is made with collagen, which means it will not be rejected by your body
Stress-free – you do not need to remove, clean, or re-order contact lenses with the ICL procedure
Good for people ineligible for LASIK – if you are ineligible for LASIK for whatever reason, ICL is often a viable alternative
Not permanent – while many patients will keep their ICLs for life, the procedure can be reversed at any time unlike LASIK
Less invasive than LASIK – the surgical procedure takes less than 10 minutes, uses an incision smaller than that of LASIK, and your recovery time is almost nonexistent

ICLs Aren’t Just a LASIK Alternative; They’re the Next Step in Corrective Eye Surgery

The ICL procedure was first approved by the FDA in 2005 and has since been a viable, competitive, and at times more beneficial alternative to LASIK surgery. Not only is the procedure non-invasive, but it’s also reversible. With ICL, it’s a win-win situation for your eyesight.

Are you interested in ICL surgery? Reach out to us today and let’s discuss your options.