ICL Surgery for Eyes

Updated on October 13, 2010
J.C. asks from Gilbert, AZ
6 answers

I recently went to get evaluated for lasik, and found out I am not a candidate. However, I can get implantable contact lens surgery, (ICL) where they basically put a contact lens inside your eye. Anyone had this? Any feedback on it, good or bad? Thanks.

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So What Happened?

I am not a candidate because my prescription is too poor. (I am too nearsighted). Basically they would have to laser away too much of my cornea with lasik, leaving it too thin and unstable and also risking ectasia (bulging of cornea) later in life.

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L.W.

answers from Albuquerque on

I had a Verisyse lens implant about 6 years ago. It was a relatively new surgery at the time. I have had no problems at all...they corrected the astigmatisms at the same time by cutting the holes they were working through in the right spot so that when they healed they pulled my cornea straighter.

I have 20-20 vision in one eye and 20-40 in the other, and it's held for all this time. I was almost 30 when I had it done, so my eyes were stable. They had me wait until I stopped breastfeeding because of the hormones present while breastfeeding that can affect the eyes.

It was a bigger deal than lasik, and they only did one eye at a time, and it was bloodshot and a little bloody for a week or so. I could see immediately, but at first it was like looking through milk because of the swelling. The next morning I woke up to clear vision, though.

I had to go a couple of weeks without contacts before the surgery to let my eyes settle into their natural shapes, and that was one of the hardest parts of the surgery for me. My glasses weren't attractive! But it was all worth it.

People sometimes think I'm an alien because of the reflection when I'm looking toward a light source...I don't know if they've corrected that issue yet. It's such a minor thing, but I'm aware of it. I always try to sit facing away from a window. I do get a little more glare in my eyes at night when driving, too, but it's also very minor.

I am really glad I got it done. The surgery wasn't comfortable. I was surprised about the part about creating a path for the fluid to flow between the front of the eye and the back of the eye through the iris...that was done using a laser and it was fascinating but painful. I haven't regretted it for one minute!

If you have any particular questions I'm happy to answer them. Good luck with your decision!

1 mom found this helpful

D.V.

answers from San Francisco on

I work at a Laser eye surgery center. We do ICL but not a lot of them since it is expensive. Very expensive, how about PRK. Patients that aren't Lasik canidates are usually PRK patients here. We offer ICL but its not chosen because of the price its about double the price of Lasik/PRK.. However, we did a training class on it. Its seem really cool, and works well. You have the ability to see close and far away!

Good luck ;)

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

I want this done my eyes are horrible and I am not a candidate for lasik either so I am interested to see your responses.

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L.L.

answers from Albuquerque on

If you are at risk for cataracts you should consider doing cataract surgery. I am extremely myopic and my Dr. recently suggested that instead of contact lense surgery I do the cataract surgery - before I get them, because if I had the cataract surgery later, you have to remove the implanted contacts. They are discovering that the cataract surgery works just as well as the implanted contacts.

D.C.

answers from Dallas on

May I ask why you weren't candidates ???

I want to get it done when I got the money for it....

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J.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I would be evaluated for the ICL procedure at a reputable ophthamologist office first. Find a doctor that has done a lot of successful procedures. It is very expensive like $6000-$7000 for both eyes. I would say that the procedure would be well worth it if you really don't want to wear glasses or contacts anymore.

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