If you’ve been thinking about undergoing refractive surgery but have been told that you are not a good candidate for LASIK, you now have another option: the EVO ICL! Keep reading to learn what the EVO ICL is and how it works!
What is The EVO ICL?
The EVO ICL, which stands for implantable collamer lens, is a lens that can be placed in your eye to correct nearsightedness or astigmatism. It can correct your vision similarly to how other visual aids, like contact lenses and glasses, do.
However, unlike a daily or monthly contact lens, the EVO ICL is permanently implanted in the eye. Collamer is a collagen-based, biocompatible material that is very thin and flexible.
This allows the EVO ICL to be in the eye seamlessly. Once it’s implanted, the lens is completely unnoticeable.
The EVO ICL can correct nearsightedness and astigmatism but cannot correct other refractive errors like farsightedness. Because the implantation of the EVO ICL does not require reshaping the corneal tissue, it is less invasive than LASIK or PRK.
This procedure can be a great option for those who cannot have LASIK or other refractive procedures due to having a thin cornea.
How Does the EVO ICL Work?
The EVO ICL is inserted into the eye through a tiny incision in the cornea. Once inserted, it is carefully positioned behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural lens.
It corrects vision by adjusting how light focuses on the retina. Additionally, it improves visual clarity, making vision not only clear, but also sharper and crisper.
The EVO ICL implantation procedure takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to complete. It is an in-office procedure that is usually completed in a single appointment.
At the start of the procedure, the patient’s eyes are numbed with special drops. Once numb, the eye surgeon uses a laser to create the corneal incision.
The surgeon then implants the lens, using a special tool to ensure it is placed accurately for optimal vision correction. The incision used to insert the EVO ICL is self-sealing and will heal naturally.
Compared to other vision-correction procedures, the recovery time for EVO ICL is typically very short. Once implanted, the EVO ICL does not ever need to be removed.
However, a unique feature of the EVO ICL is that it can be removed in the future if needed.
Is the EVO ICL Right for Me?
If any of the following conditions have prevented you from being a good candidate for other refractive procedures, the EVO ICL might be right for you:
- You have a high prescription for myopia (nearsightedness)
- You have severe dry eye
- You have thin corneas
To be considered a good candidate for the EVO ICL, you should be between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five, have a stable eye prescription that has remained unchanged for at least a year, and have realistic expectations about what the EVO ICL can do to correct your vision.
If you are ready to live glasses-free but have been told that LASIK is not right for you, it may be time to consider the EVO ICL! It can offer you another way to achieve clearer, sharper corrected vision.
Do you want to learn more about the EVO ICL or determine if this procedure may be right for you? Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center at one of our 5 locations in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, today!
