Want to see a clear world without glasses or contact lenses? Let's learn about ICL! (Implantable Collamer Lens)

Are you someone who wakes up every morning looking for glasses, or who wears contact lenses that feel like a pain in the eyes all day? Maybe you've considered LASIK surgery to get rid of glasses forever, but your doctor has told you that your eyes aren't suitable for it. So if you're wondering what to do now, don't worry. Today, we're going to talk about a very successful, modern technology that can give clear vision to such people.

Simply put, what is ICL surgery?

The full name of ICL is Implantable Collamer Lens. Although the name is a bit complicated, what happens in this is very simple. It's like you put a contact lens on top of your eye, but this one is put inside your eye. That means, this is a very thin lens that is permanently inside your eye, invisible from the outside.

This lens is made of a special material called Collamer® . It is made by combining plastic and collagen, a protein found in our own body. Because of this, this lens is very flexible, natural, and light. It is also hydrophilic, so it mixes well with the fluid inside the eye, and does not interfere with the movement of nutrients and gases that the eye needs.

The doctor implants this lens behind the iris of your eye and in front of your natural lens.

In the past, when this surgery was performed, a small procedure called laser iridotomy was performed before the surgery to stop the pressure inside the eye from increasing. This involved making one or two very small holes in the iris of the eye. But in the new EVO Implantable Collamer Lens , there is a small hole in the middle of the lens itself. So that additional laser treatment is no longer necessary. The aqueous fluid in the eye flows naturally through that hole.

What eye defects can be treated with ICL surgery?

If you have any of the following vision problems, ICL surgery may be a good solution for you.

• Nearsightedness / Myopia: This is a problem that many people have. Although close objects can be seen clearly, distant objects are blurred. ICLs can very successfully correct this condition.
• Astigmatism: This is when light rays entering the eye focus in several places instead of focusing on a single point. This causes blurred vision, and for some people, it can appear as if lights are scattered around them when driving at night.

Who is suitable for this surgery? How to prepare?

Before performing this surgery, your eye specialist will definitely examine your eyes thoroughly. He will also ask about your medical history and the medications you are taking.

Generally, to be eligible for this surgery, the following criteria must be met:

• Your eyeglass prescription should remain stable for at least a year .
• It is best to be between 22 and 45 years old.
• The shape of your cornea, the angle of the anterior chamber inside your eye, and the density of your cornea cells all need to be within a certain standard. The doctor will check all of this.

Your doctor will give you clear instructions on when to stop eating and drinking before surgery, and what medications to stop. Also, be sure to arrange for an adult friend or family member to accompany you on the day of surgery and to drive you home.

Before the surgery, your doctor will put medicated eye drops in your eyes to dilate and numb them. He or she may also give you a mild sedative to help you relax and reduce your anxiety.

What happens during surgery?

This is not as scary as you might think. After your eyes are numb, the doctor makes a very small incision at the base of the cornea. Then, the ICL lens is carefully inserted through the incision and positioned in the correct position behind the iris and in front of your natural lens.

The entire surgery, that is, for both eyes, usually takes less than 30 minutes .

What will happen after the surgery?

After the surgery, your doctor will give you a series of instructions about what to do and what not to do. You will need to use some eye drops to keep your eyes clean and prevent infection. You may be asked to use these for about two weeks.

Your vision may begin to clear within 24 hours, possibly even immediately after surgery . Your vision will become clearer over the next two to three days.

The person who came to take you home will take you home carefully. Then you can rest well.

What are the main differences between ICL and LASIK?

Many people confuse these two surgeries. Although the goal of both is to provide clear vision without glasses, the methods used to achieve this goal are very different.

• Method: LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea of ​​your eye. This means that it changes the natural shape of the eye. However, ICL does not remove or change any part of the eye. It simply inserts an additional lens into the eye.
• Reversal: LASIK surgery cannot be reversed. It is a permanent change. However, ICL surgery is reversible. If necessary for any reason, the lens can be removed.
• Distance vision:People with very high numbers, meaning high myopia, may not be able to have LASIK. However, ICLs can successfully correct even such high numbers.
• Dry eye: Some people are at risk of developing dry eye after LASIK surgery. This risk is significantly reduced with ICL surgery.

Emergency situations requiring a visit to the doctor

You will receive clear instructions on what symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately or to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) after surgery. The main ones are:

• If you experience unbearable pain .
• If there is excessive bleeding from the eye.
• If you have a pus-like discharge from your eye or a fever (these could be signs of an infection).
• If you suddenly lose your sight .