Implantable contact lenses (ICL/IPCL)

What are "implantable contact lenses"?

Phakic intraocular lenses (such as the ICL – Implantable Collamer Lens, or IPCL – Implantable Phakic Contact Lens), often referred to as "implantable contact lenses", are highly flexible, biocompatible lenses designed to correct refractive errors (ametropia), including short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Due to their flexibility, these lenses are injected into the eye through a microscopic incision and positioned in the space between the iris and the natural lens (the posterior chamber sulcus).

Unlike laser surgery, this procedure does not involve the removal of any corneal tissue. Furthermore, it preserves the eye's natural lens, unlike Clear Lens Exchange (RLE) or cataract surgery.

While conventional contact lenses sit on the surface of the eye, these implants provide a long-term, yet fully reversible, solution.

What is the process?

• Pre-operative Consultation: Your surgeon will perform a comprehensive series of diagnostics to determine the precise power and dimensions of the lens required. We also assess your overall ocular health and the dimensions of the anterior chamber to ensure suitability.‍
• The Procedure: Implantation is a rapid, day-case procedure, typically performed under topical anaesthesia (numbing drops). The lens is inserted and carefully positioned behind the iris.‍
• Recovery: Visual recovery is exceptionally fast, with many patients experiencing clear vision within hours. Most can return to their normal routine within a few days. Medicated eye drops are prescribed to prevent infection and support the healing process.

What are the indications?

Phakic intraocular lenses are particularly suitable for patients who:

• Have a predisposition to dry eye: Unlike laser surgery, phakic lenses do not typically cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.‍
• Have high refractive errors: This includes significant short-sightedness or long-sightedness that exceeds the safe parameters of laser treatments like LASIK, SMILE, or PRK.‍
• Have a thin or irregular cornea: These factors may make laser correction higher risk or altogether unsuitable.‍
• Prefer a reversible solution: This is ideal for those who wish to correct their vision without permanently altering the structural integrity of the cornea.‍
• Maintain good ocular health: Candidates should be free from significant contraindications, such as glaucoma or early-stage cataracts.

What are the benefits?

• Superior Visual Quality: ICL and IPCL procedures often deliver exceptional visual acuity with a lower incidence of side effects, such as dry eye, compared to laser treatments.
• Reversibility: Unlike laser-based procedures, the implant can be removed or replaced by a surgeon if your prescription changes significantly in the future.‍
• Preservation of the Cornea: No corneal tissue is removed, making this an ideal option for patients with fragile or thin corneas.‍
• Extensive Correction Range: These lenses can correct a much wider range of prescriptions than traditional laser technology.