ICL: IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS FAQs

Implantable Collamer Lens® (or Implanted Contact Lens) by EVO Visian ICL is a removable lens implant designed to help reduce the need for glasses or contacts. Unlike other procedures, ICL is an additive procedure and does not remove corneal tissue but works in harmony with your natural eye. The lens gently unfolds in your eye, rests behind your iris, and is biocompatible with your body chemistry. This less than 15 – 20-minute procedure is performed on an outpatient basis which means that you have the procedure and leave the same day. A light, topical or local anesthetic is administered. There is very little discomfort during or after surgery.

We use the EVO Visian ICL, which dominates 99% of the ICL market, using a material called Collamer®, a collagen co-polymer that contains a small amount of purified collagen; the remainder is made of a similar material to that found in soft contact lenses. It is very biocompatible (does not cause a reaction inside the eye) and stable. It also contains an ultraviolet light filter.

The EVO Visian ICL is intended to remain in place without maintenance and provide a long term solution. Since it is an additive procedure, it is fully reversible and can be removed by your eye care professional if needed in the future. If removed, you will lose the benefit of your nearsightedness correction.

You cannot see the EVO Visian ICL. It is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and others. Only your eye care practitioner will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place. Unlike a contact lens, it is not typically noticeable after it is implanted. It does not attach to any structures within the eye and does not move around once in place.

It’s important to consider that the EVO Visian ICL is FDA approved, which means it has been determined to be a safe and effective procedure. Arguably one of the safest procedures today, EVO Visian ICL reports a 99% patient satisfaction rate. As with any surgery, ICL involves a degree of risk. Every patient considering ICL is encouraged to independently research the procedure. Our doctors give patients the information regarding those risks and answer any questions that they may have, and perform a thorough evaluation to determine if the patient is a recommended candidate for ICL.

Patients may see some glare and halos around lights after the procedure. Most patients adapt, and it becomes a non-issue within a few months. Most patients who already notice glare and halos do not notice this at all.

Numbing anesthetic drops are used during the EVO Visian ICL procedure. Typically there is no discomfort. We also use conscious sedation for this out-patient procedure, meaning you are still breathing on your own. You may feel some slight pressure and hear the doctor talking, but most patients do not remember anything after the surgery is over.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis which means that the patient the procedure and leaves the same day. The procedure itself usually takes less than 15 – 20-minutes. The patient will need someone to drive them home on surgery day. We recommend you plan to be at our surgery center for 2 – 3 hours to allow for check-in, preparation, procedure, and post-op care.

Most patients resume daily activities within 24 – 48 hours. Best results may take several weeks or more.

Yes.

No contact sports, swimming, or eye make-up for one week. There are no flight or lifting restrictions.

Dr. Vold has performed thousands of lens procedures overall and performs the highest volume of ICL procedures in Arkansas. Dr. Vold performs thousands of procedures requiring extreme precision and expertise each year and is the surgeon whom other ophthalmologists send their most difficult cases to, so the same level of expert care is applied to ICL procedures.

No. This surgery is never covered by insurance. It is considered Refractive Surgery and involves the use of specialty lens implants and/or laser technology.

Half of the balance due is collected at check-in for your YAG Prep procedure. The other half is collected at check-in on the day of the ICL procedure.