Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Eye Surgery - Permanent ICL Implant

How To Prepare For ICL Surgery?

The following guidelines can help one prepare well for ICL surgery:

1. Research ICL surgery: Understand the procedure steps, potential risks and benefits, recovery timeline, and long-term expectations. This is necessary to make informed decisions and address any concerns.
2. Consult reliable sources: Seek information from your ophthalmologist, reputable medical websites, and patient communities.
3. Disclose your medical history: Be sure to inform your surgeon about any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, ongoing medications, and previous eye surgeries.
4. Undergo preoperative tests: Your surgeon may recommend additional tests or consultations with other specialists to ensure your suitability for the surgery.
5. Adhere to dietary restrictions: Your surgeon may advise specific dietary changes to optimize your health leading up to the surgery.
6. Adjust medication intake: Discuss any medication adjustments with your surgeon to optimize their effectiveness and minimize potential interactions with the surgery.
7. Avoid eye irritants: Refrain from using eye makeup, contact lenses, and harsh lotions around your eyes in the days before the surgery.
8. Purchase protective eyewear: Invest in goggles or sunglasses to shield your eyes from dust, debris, and bright light, especially during the early recovery period.
9. Arrange transportation: Ensure you have a trusted family member or a friend to drive you home after the surgery.
10. Schedule time off work: It is advised to take sufficient time off work to rest and recover after the surgery.

Best Eye Hospital For ICL Surgery In India

Pristyn Care, a leading healthcare provider, is the preferred choice for world-class ICL surgery in India. Our surgical centers are among the premier eye care centers in the country, each equipped with the latest technology and committed to a patient-centric approach, ensuring a smooth and stress-free surgical experience.

Our team of highly skilled eye specialists boasts an average of over 15 years of experience in performing ICL surgeries. This extensive experience allows us to confidently assure you that your surgery is in the hands of seasoned professionals who prioritize patient safety and optimal outcomes.

At Pristyn Care, we exclusively use USFDA-approved ICL technology. Our commitment to safety ensures that you receive the highest quality of medical care. We also believe that exceptional eye care goes beyond clinical expertise. We prioritize patient comfort and satisfaction and ensure each patient receives personalized treatment catered to their medical needs. Our team is dedicated to addressing your concerns and providing comprehensive support at every step of your surgery journey.

To know more, contact Pristyn Care today and schedule a consultation with one of our esteemed eye surgeons.

What Happens During ICL Surgery?

A week before ICL surgery, your surgeon will use a laser to create small holes in the iris. This is to prevent any build-up of fluid and pressure within the eye during the procedure. ICL surgery typically takes 30 minutes to complete and involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: At the start of the procedure, you will be given numbing eye drops to ensure you are comfortable during the surgery. In some cases, a mild sedative may also be administered to help you relax.
2. Creating an incision: The surgeon will create a small incision (approximately 3 mm) at the base of the cornea using a femtosecond laser. This is to ensure minimal discomfort and a faster recovery after the surgery.
3. Inserting the ICL: The folded ICL will be carefully inserted through the incision. The surgeon will then use specialized instruments to precisely position the ICL between the iris and the natural eye lens.
4. Securing the ICL: Once the ICL is in place, it will unfold on its own and adhere to the posterior surface of the iris, eliminating the need for any stitches or sutures.
5. Completion of the procedure: At the end of the procedure, the surgeon may administer eye drops or an ointment to the eye and cover it with an eye patch. The incision site will be allowed to heal naturally.

Benefits Of ICL Surgery

Here are some of the benefits of ICL surgery:

1. No structural damage to the cornea:ICL surgery does not involve reshaping the cornea, unlike LASIK eye surgery. This minimizes the risk of corneal complications, such as dry eyes, halos, glare, and corneal ectasia.
2. Can treat a wide range of refractive errors: ICL can treat a wide range of refractive errors from -3 to -20 diopters.
3. Reversible procedure: Unlike LASIK or PRK, which are permanent procedures, ICL surgery is a reversible procedure. The ICL can be removed or replaced if necessary.
4. Fast recovery: Vision typically improves within a few days after ICL surgery, and most patients can return to normal activities within a week.
5. Stable vision: The ICL is a permanent implant, providing long-term vision correction.
6. UV protection: ICL lenses contain an ultraviolet radiation (UV) blocker that helps protect the eyes from the harmful effects of UV.
7. Suitable for thin corneas and dry eyes: Individuals who are ineligible for other laser eye surgeries due to thin corneas or dry eyes, can be considered for ICL surgery.
8. Long-lasting results: Implantable collamer lenses can provide a stable vision for the long term.

Recovery After ICL Surgery

It can take between ten days to a week for patients to recover from ICL surgery. The following guidelines can facilitate a smooth recovery:

Do:

• Use eye drops: Eye drops are an important part of the recovery process after ICL surgery. They help to prevent infection and promote healing. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully regarding the dosage and frequency of using the eye drops.

• Protect your eyes from sunlight: Many patients experience heightened light sensitivity in the days after ICL surgery. Until your eyes recover from the operation, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun and other bright light sources that could hinder your progress.

• Be mindful of your sleeping position: It is recommended to sleep on your side after ICL surgery as other sleeping positions may cause discomfort and lead to irritation, pain, or impede restful sleep.

• Rest well: Follow your surgeon’s instructions after ICL surgery to ensure you are keeping activities and stress to an appropriate minimum as any additional strain on the eyes can impede your recovery.

• Attend all follow-up appointments: To give yourself the best chance for a complete recovery after ICL surgery, it’s important to keep your scheduled appointments. Surgeons often use postoperative appointments to gauge patient progress and make recommendations to further improve healing.

Don’t:

• Rub your eyes: Patients often want to rub their eyes after ICL surgery as a response to the irritation and soreness they feel. However, it is important to not rub your eyes after ICL surgery because it can worsen pain or lead to a scratched cornea.

• Go swimming: Hot tubs and pools should be avoided for at least a few weeks after surgery as these can introduce bacteria into the eyes and lead to an infection.

• Bend down: It is important to limit bending down after ICL surgery as this may place undue pressure on your eyes, and impede healing.

Wear eye makeup: Your eye doctor will likely ask you to refrain from wearing any eye makeup in the days following ICL surgery. This helps minimize the number of chemicals and pathogens that come into contact with the eyes and reduces the risk of irritation or infections.

When To See A Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to see your surgeon immediately:

1. Severe pain: Unusually intense pain in the eye could indicate a complication such as an infection or a dislocated lens.
2. Excessive redness or swelling: Persistent redness and swelling beyond the initial postoperative period may signify an inflammatory reaction or an infection.
3. Sudden vision changes: Abrupt deterioration in vision, blurred vision, or distorted images could be a sign of lens displacement or other complications.
4. Discharge from the eye: Excessive yellow or green discharge from the eye suggests an infection that requires prompt medical attention.
5. Nausea or vomiting: Severe nausea or vomiting, especially accompanied by eye pain, could indicate a systemic reaction or complications related to the anesthesia.

Is The Cost of ICL Surgery Covered Under Health Insurance?

In general, health insurance companies do not cover the cost of ICL surgery. However, some insurance plans may provide coverage if the patient’s refractive power is equal to or greater than 7.5 diopters. It is best to consult your health insurance provider to know the full extent of your coverage, as well as other relevant terms and conditions.

What Is The Difference Between LASIK Surgery And ICL Surgery?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery are two popular vision correction procedures that can effectively treat various refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. However, they differ in their approach, suitability, recovery time, risks, and cost.

LASIK surgery is a laser eye procedure that alters the shape of the cornea to correct refractive errors. It involves creating a thin flap in the cornea using a femtosecond laser, to expose the underlying corneal tissue. Then, an excimer laser precisely reshapes the cornea and thus corrects the refractive error. On the other hand, ICL surgery involves implanting a small, foldable artificial lens, called an implantable collamer lens, behind the iris. The ICL is made of a biocompatible material that does not interact with the eye’s natural tissues and can thus indefinitely remain within the eye.

LASIK is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate refractive errors and healthy corneas. It has a fast recovery, typically within a few days, and involves minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. However, the procedure can be associated with some risks, such as flap-related complications, dry eyes, halos, and glare (particularly at night).

Individuals who may have been ineligible for LASIK surgery such as those with high refractive errors or thin corneas can be suitable candidates for ICL surgery. Unlike LASIK surgery, ICL surgery has the added benefit of being a reversible procedure where the implanted collamer lens can be removed if necessary. Since ICL surgery does not involve the creation of a corneal flap, patients experience a quicker recovery than LASIK surgery and no risk of flap-related complications. Moreover, the risk of dry eyes is also considerably reduced during ICL surgery.

Risks And Complications Of ICL Surgery

While ICL surgery is a safe and effective procedure, it can be associated with some risks. Here is an overview of some of the potential risks and complications of ICL surgery:

1. Infection: Infection is always a risk with any surgical procedure, and ICL surgery is no exception. Symptoms of an eye infection after ICL surgery include redness, pain, discharge, and vision changes. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your surgeon immediately.
2. Inflammation: Inflammation is another common side effect of ICL surgery. Symptoms of inflammation include redness, pain, and light sensitivity. Inflammation typically goes away on its own within a few weeks, but your eye specialist may prescribe eye drops to help reduce inflammation.
3. Lens Dislocation: In rare cases, the implanted collamer lens can become dislocated, and move out of place. This can cause vision changes, pain, and other complications. If the ICL dislocates, it will need to be repositioned or replaced.
4. Double vision: This can occur if the implanted lens is of an incorrect size.
5. Cloudy cornea: Eye surgery can reduce endothelial cells in the cornea. If the cells decrease in number at a fast rate, this may lead to a cloudy cornea and vision loss.

ICL surgery may include other rare complications such as:

1. Glaucoma: An implantable collamer lens that is of an incorrect size or improperly positioned within the eye can lead to increased intraocular pressure. This can lead to the formation of glaucoma.
2. Cataracts: ICL surgery can reduce the circulation of fluid in the eyes which can increase the risk of cataracts. Additionally, if the wrong size of ICL is implanted into the eye or if the ICL causes chronic inflammation, it can further increase the risk of cataract formation.
3. Retinal detachment: After eye surgery, there is an increased risk of the retina separating from the back of the eye.