For some patients seeking to get out of glasses, laser might not be a good option. This might be because your correction is too high or your cornea to thin. For patients in this category, the ICL may offer an alternative.

For some patients seeking to get out of glasses, laser might not be a good option. This might be because your correction is too high or your cornea to thin. For patients in this category, the ICL may offer an alternative. The ICL or implantable column a lens is a thin, highly flexible lens that can be implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye underneath the iris. This is not visible to you after the surgery, the lens is able to correct high amounts of myopia - short sightedness, hyperopia or long sightedness and astigmatism.

ICL surgery is an intra ocular procedure and carries risk. We need to be sure that you have adequate space to accommodate the lens and a healthy cornea. Just like laser surgery. Not everyone will be a candidate for an ICL if you are interested in refractive surgery, but have been told you are not a candidate for laser. ICL surgery may be an option you wish to explore. If you are interested in ICL surgery, speak to your optician or ophthalmologist about whether this procedure is right for you.   

Dr. Greg Moloney, MBBS, BSC MED, MMED, FRCSC, Ophthalmologist, explains what ICL's (Implantable Collamer Lenses) are and how they can correct vision in some patients.

An intraocular collamer lens, or ICL, is a type of lens that is inserted into the eye without removing the natural lens. It is placed between the iris and the lens, and is typically recommended for patients who are not suitable candidates for laser eye surgery due to having extreme prescriptions, either plus or minus.

ICL surgery takes around 5-10 minutes per eye, with both eyes usually treated in the same session, for a total surgery time of approximately half an hour. Although ICL surgery carries a slightly higher risk than laser eye surgery, it is generally well tolerated and patients typically experience great vision within 24 hours of the procedure.

Recovery from ICL surgery is generally uneventful, with patients being required to take drops for about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery and limiting light activities for the first week. While there is a small risk associated with ICL surgery, the vast majority of patients who undergo the procedure experience great vision immediately after surgery, which can be maintained over a long period of time.

If you are interested in learning more about ICL technology, it is recommended that you speak to your optometrist or local refractive surgeon to determine if you are a suitable candidate and to obtain more information.

Often seeing a local Ophthalmologists or Optometrist in conjunction with your family physician or a registered dietician is a great option to dealing with eye conditions and symptoms. Smart Food Now and exercise is also important for overall health.