[ICL Guide] Before undergoing myopia surgery, learn about ICL first~!!

Nowadays, more and more people want to take off their glasses through ICL lens implantation. So what is ICL surgery? What are its advantages? Am I suitable for surgery? How much does the surgery cost? What preparations should be made in advance? How long does the surgery take? How long will it take to return to normal work and life after the surgery... Today, the editor has specially compiled a complete guide to ICL lens implantation to answer your questions.

Table of contents

1. What is ICL lens implantation?

2. What are the advantages of ICL lens implantation?

3. Self-assessment of whether you are suitable for ICL lens implantation

4. Go to hospital for examination and comprehensive assessment

5. Order a lens and wait for correction

6. Preparation before ICL implantation

7. Precautions during ICL correction

8. Medication after ICL implantation

9. Precautions after ICL lens implantation

10. Summary of other hot issues regarding ICL implantation

1. What is ICL lens implantation?

ICL lens implantation:

ICL is an implantable collamer lens, also known as a "crystal lens". It is a soft crystalline lens. It does not require corneal cutting, but only requires a tiny incision to implant the lens into the eye. It can help correct common vision problems such as myopia and astigmatism, and provide clear vision after surgery. [1]

2. What are the advantages of ICL lens implantation?

Advantage 1: Crystal “customized to your eyes”

Each ICL lens implanted in each patient has a unique code, and the lens is "custom-made" for the patient's eye. It is about 50 microns thick, which is thinner than the diameter of a hair.

Advantage 2: Small surgical incision, no cutting of corneal tissue

The surgical incision is small and does not require suturing. The cornea is not cut, but an artificial lens made with high technology is implanted, which works together with the natural lens of the eye to provide clear and sharp vision after the operation.

Advantage 3: Wide correction range

It can be used to correct a wide range of myopia and astigmatism.

Advantage 4: The surgery is reversible and will not affect the treatment of other eye diseases in the future

In the future, if the patient needs other eye surgeries, the implanted lens can be removed or replaced. At the same time, it also leaves room for better options in the future.

Advantage 5: Not likely to cause or aggravate dry eyes

The surgery does not cut the corneal tissue and preserves the ocular nerves from being cut off. Therefore, it is more friendly to patients with more severe dry eyes and is not likely to cause dry eyes after the surgery.

Advantage 6: Ensure good night vision and provide UV protection

The large optical zone design of the ICL lens can reduce the possibility of aperture and halo at night, providing patients with better night vision and contrast sensitivity. In addition, the collamer lens material used in ICL provides UV protection [1].

3. Self-assessment of whether you are suitable for ICL lens implantation

If you plan to have an ICL implant, you can first determine whether you meet the basic conditions[2]:

(1) Age: The recommended age is 18-45 years. For those under 18 years old who have career requirements, high refractive error, or corneal disease that requires treatment, they may be considered after comprehensive evaluation.

(2) Myopia degree: ICL lens implantation can correct myopia of 50-1800 degrees and astigmatism less than 600 degrees.

(3) Stable refractive power: It is generally recommended that the refractive power change in the past two years should be within 100 degrees. Many people with high myopia may not have adequate correction when wearing glasses, and are not completely sure about their own degree, so a comprehensive judgment should be made based on age and optometry.

(4) During the preoperative examination, if you usually wear contact lenses, you need to stop wearing them before the examination: ordinary soft contact lenses need to be stopped for 1 week, cosmetic contact lenses need to be stopped for 2-3 weeks, hard RGP and astigmatism contact lenses need to be stopped for 3 weeks, and orthokeratology lenses need to be stopped for 3 months. The doctor can also make a judgment based on the specific condition of each person's eyes.

(5) No serious organic eye diseases, no active inflammation. Physically healthy, no serious systemic diseases, mentally healthy. (Correction is recommended to be postponed during pregnancy and lactation)

4. Go to hospital for examination and comprehensive assessment

If you determine after self-examination that your eye condition is within the correction range, you can prepare to go to the hospital for examination.

(1) A comprehensive examination before correction is very important. If you are interested in ICL lens implantation and basically meet the above conditions, you can go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination.

(2) Inspection generally takes about half a day. If the waiting time for individual items is long, the inspection time will be extended.

(3) Fundus examination and eye examination require mydriasis, which may cause blurred vision, photophobia and other discomfort. Therefore, when going to the hospital for examination, it is recommended not to drive or ride a bicycle by yourself, but to take public transportation to the hospital.

(4) Many ophthalmic examinations require the exclusion of the influence of contact lenses, so contact lenses must be removed for a certain period of time before the examination.

(5) Regarding the interpretation of the test results: the doctor's advice must be followed. There are specific standards for the indications for ICL lens implantation, but a comprehensive analysis must also be conducted in combination with the doctor's clinical experience.

5. Order a lens and wait for correction

(1) After all the inspections are completed, we will upload the relevant parameters of the ICL artificial lens based on the inspection results and reserve the lens.

(2) Waiting time for crystals: generally 1-3 working days. Waiting time for special power or astigmatism crystals is slightly longer. Crystal inventory itself is also changing dynamically. We will pay attention to inventory updates in a timely manner and notify you in time if there is a matching crystal.

6. Preparation before ICL implantation

(1) After the lens arrives, the hospital staff will notify the patient and make an appointment for preoperative preparation and lens implantation based on the ICL surgery date and the patient's own schedule.

(2) Before correction, you need to stop wearing contact lenses and use antibiotic eye drops according to the doctor's advice.

(3) Please wash your hair, take a shower, cut your nails and maintain personal hygiene the day before the correction.

(4) Please do not wear makeup, perfume, earrings, necklaces or other jewelry on the day of correction. Avoid makeup, especially mascara and false eyelashes.

(5) On the day of correction, it is recommended to wear loose clothing and comfortable flat shoes. In particular, avoid wearing pullovers with tight necklines, hoodies, and skirts.

(6) If you have a cold, fever, or other physical discomfort before correction, or if you have surgery or treatment while waiting for the lens, please inform your doctor so that correction can be arranged appropriately.

(7) Correction is generally not recommended for female patients during menstruation.

7. Precautions during ICL correction

The patient's cooperation is required during the correction, and the patient's cooperation plays a very important role in the correction effect. The following points should generally be paid attention to during the correction:

(1) The entire correction process only takes a few minutes. Please follow the doctor's instructions and cooperate actively.

(2) There is no obvious pain during the entire correction process. The main discomfort may be the exposure to light after pupil dilation and the soreness and swelling when the lens is implanted.

(3) During correction, lie down naturally with your hands on both sides of your body. Look straight ahead during correction and do not touch the sterile area without permission. If you feel any discomfort, you can tell the doctor verbally and do not move around at will.

8. Medication after ICL implantation

We generally need to use 5 types of potions after correction:

(1) Antibiotic eye drops

(2) Hormone eye drops

(3) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

(4) IOP-lowering drugs

(5) Artificial tears and drugs to relieve visual fatigue

The above medications are basic medications. The medications for each patient may be different due to individual differences. Just take the medications as prescribed by the doctor.

9. Precautions after ICL lens implantation

(1) After correction, a piece of gauze will be covered on the operated eye. Be careful not to touch the area around the eye with your hands. Generally, the gauze will be removed one hour after the operation, and intraocular pressure and slit lamp examination will be performed. The doctor will guide the use of medication, and the patient can leave the hospital only after the eye condition stabilizes. On the day of correction, the pupil will be dilated and there may be some discomfort. It is normal to have difficulty seeing things clearly.

(2) Symptoms such as tearing, photophobia, and foreign body sensation may occur on the day of correction. Do not roll or rub your eyes forcefully, and do not touch your eyes directly with tissues or towels. If tears occur, wipe them off your face after they flow out. Most patients' eye discomfort can be relieved within 1 day. When reexamined the next day, most patients can achieve the expected visual acuity.

(3) [Corrected visual acuity] The visual acuity achieved after correction depends on the eye condition of each individual. Usually, the corrected visual acuity will reach or exceed the pre-operative spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

(4) [Eye Rest] You can use your eyes normally the next day after correction. You can use your mobile phone and computer in moderation. You need to pay more attention to eye rest than usual and avoid over-straining your eyes. In the early period after correction, your vision may not be very good when looking at close objects or in dim light. Try to choose a room with good lighting to read books and use the computer. Do not look at the computer, mobile phone or TV for too long.

(5) [Body Cleanliness] You can wash your face, bathe, and hair normally the next day after correction. Do not wear eye makeup within 1-3 months after correction. When washing your face, bathe, and hair in the early stage after correction, you only need to pay proper attention. Do not touch the area around your eyes vigorously, and do not let unclean water enter your eyes. If you are careless, you can use artificial tears and antibiotic eye drops to rinse your eyes to relieve eye discomfort and prevent infection, and go to the hospital for treatment in time.

(6) [Sports activities] You can participate in general non-confrontational sports activities a few days after correction, including running, yoga, and fitness. Within 1 month after correction, try not to participate in basketball, football and other ball games. Do not swim within 6 months after correction, and do not dive within 1 year. The main principle of participating in sports activities after correction is to avoid eye injuries and prevent foreign objects from entering the eye.

(7) Transportation: There are no special requirements for taking various means of transportation after correction. You can take a plane or train the next day after correction.

(8) [Diet] Generally speaking, there are no dietary requirements for myopia correction. Some patients’ parents often ask if they need to “avoid certain foods” after surgery. In fact, Western medicine itself does not emphasize “avoiding certain foods”. It is recommended to follow your usual eating habits, appropriately reduce spicy and irritating foods, tobacco and alcohol, and reduce foods that may cause allergies and digestive problems.

(9) [Other lifestyle habits] There are no special requirements for lifestyle habits after correction, as long as your lifestyle habits do not directly cause damage to your eyes.

(10) [Review after correction] After correction, you need to follow the doctor's instructions for a review. The doctor will arrange the review items for each review based on the specific recovery situation. Usually, you need to come to the hospital for a review 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation. It is also recommended to have a review every 6 months.

10. Summary of other hot issues regarding ICL implantation

Top1: How long can ICL lenses be used?

The material of ICL is special and has high biocompatibility. There is no foreign body sensation, and the eyes will not reject it. As long as it is not removed, it can generally be used for a long time.

Top2: Will it hurt when the lens is implanted?

You will basically not feel any pain during the operation. Before the operation, the doctor will perform surface anesthesia and give you a few drops of surface anesthetic. Most people will not feel any discomfort during the entire operation.

Top3: Will there be a foreign body sensation after lens implantation?

The material used to make ICL artificial lenses is a collagen polymer, which is soft and elastic. It will not produce any rejection reaction with the body and there is basically no foreign body sensation.

Top4: Will ICL lens implantation damage the retina?

Artificial lens implantation is a surgery on the front part of the eye, while the retina is at the back part of the eye. Myopia surgery does not move the back part of the eye and will not damage the retina.

Top 5: Price of ICL lens implantation

ICL lens implantation surgery is indeed much more expensive than myopia laser surgery. The ICL lenses used for implantation are imported from Switzerland and are ophthalmic products with international patents. Each ICL lens implanted in each patient has a unique code, and the lens is "customized" for the patient's eyes.

Content source:

1. EVO ICL Manufacturer Information

2. Expert consensus on phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in China (2019)

Image source: provided by the manufacturer, photo.net