An ICL, or Implantable Contact Lens, is exactly as the name would suggest. It’s a contact lens that’s implanted in your eye. An implantable contact lens functions exactly as a normal contact lens would. The only difference is it’s a permanent contact lens that sits over the natural lens in your eye.
Why Would Someone Choose An ICL?
There are a lot of different procedures that can correct your vision. What makes ICL different? With an ICL, even compared to minimally invasive laser surgeries, it’s non-invasive. In fact, there are no lasers involved. Laser correction surgeries reshape the cornea to correct a refractive error. An ICL is simply implanted in the eye through a small incision. The incision is small enough that it heals faster than a corneal flap made during LASIK surgery. That said, there are some limitations. Implantable contact lenses aren’t for everyone, but it can be life-changing for some.
Who Does The ICL Work Best For?
An implantable contact lens only works to correct nearsightedness. If you have farsightedness or astigmatism, an ICL isn’t for you unless your astigmatism is 2.5 diopters or less. An ICL won’t correct your astigmatism, but if you’re also nearsighted, it can at least correct your myopia.
If you have severe myopia (nearsightedness), ICL surgery can correct your vision where LASIK can’t. LASIK is best for patients with mild myopia but can’t correct more than -11 diopters. An ICL can correct up to -20 diopters. Patients with such severe myopia usually can’t see at all without contact lenses or glasses.
If you’re that nearsighted, you know how it feels to have to rely on glasses or disposable contacts to see at all. An ICL can do away with the need for any visual aids and allow you to see clearly all the time.
How Does Implanting An ICL Work?
Implanting an ICL is a very minor procedure. First, the patient receives numbing eye drops. This ensures that no pain is ever felt during the procedure. Then, a small incision is made in the eye. The ICL itself is then inserted through this incision.
Some kinds of ICLs can’t be folded, so they need a larger incision. The latest ICL technology allows the lens to be folded up so it can fit through a small incision. Once in the eye, the lens automatically unfurls and sits behind your iris and over your natural lens. There are no sutures required and you get to go home the same day.
How Effective is The ICL?
Most patients who get an ICL come out with a near-perfect vision. 95% of patients who received the latest kind of ICL achieved 20/40 vision or better. This allowed them to see well enough to get a driver’s license without needing regular contacts or glasses. Nearly 60% achieved 20/20 vision.
Any kind of surgery carries some risk and the ICL procedure is no exception to this. ICL is a low-risk procedure, but there is always some chance of infection or damage to the eye. You can reduce this risk by caring for your eyes well before and after surgery. The most important thing you can do to reduce your risks is to choose a fantastic eye care practice for your ICL procedure.
Where can you start when it comes to finding such a practice? Try Cheema Eye. Our surgeons are well-trained, experienced, and reliable. For the best eye care in the Hudson Valley area, choose Cheema Eye for all your eye care needs! Schedule a consultation with us today!
