Wearing glasses and contact lenses can be a real hassle sometimes, right? You have to look for them when you wake up in the morning, and when you get wet in the rain or in the fog, you can't see. Wearing contact lenses is not easy for everyone. You may have also thought that you could see the world clearly without these things. Many people think of LASIK surgery as a solution to this. However, not everyone's eyes are suitable for LASIK. So, is there no alternative for such people? Don't worry, there is now a very successful solution for that too. That's what we're talking about today - ICL surgery.
Simply put, what is ICL surgery?
The full meaning of ICL is Implantable Collamer Lens. In simple terms, it is like a permanent, but removable contact lens that is inserted into your eye. It is a special lens that is carefully placed in front of your natural lens and behind the colored part of your eye (called the iris) without damaging it.
This lens is made of a special material called Collamer® . It is made by combining plastic and collagen, which is very soft and flexible. That's why it feels very natural to the eye. This lens is also hydrophilic, meaning it likes water. This allows nutrients and gases inside the eye to move around without any obstruction.
In the past, when this surgery was performed, a very small hole was made in the iris (laser iridotomy) before the lens was inserted to stop the pressure inside the eye from increasing. However, in the latest EVO Implantable Collamer Lens , a very small hole has been created in the lens itself. Therefore, that additional laser treatment is no longer necessary. The aqueous fluid in the eye passes through that hole naturally.
Who is this surgery good for? For what types of vision impairments?
ICL surgery mainly addresses two types of vision impairment.
- Myopia: This is a problem that many people have. While close objects appear clear, distant objects appear blurry.
- Astigmatism: This is when the shape of the cornea is not perfectly spherical, causing light to focus on a single spot, resulting in blurred vision.
ICL surgery is a great option, especially for those who cannot undergo LASIK surgery, for example, those with thin corneas, or those with very high nearsightedness (glasses number).
How should I prepare before surgery?
Since this is a surgical procedure, your eye surgeon will examine you carefully before the procedure. He or she will need to know your complete medical history and the medications you are taking.
To be eligible for ICL surgery, the following must be met:
- You must be between 22 and 45 years old .
- Your glasses number should remain stable for about a year without much change .
- Your doctor will check the shape of your eye, the size of the anterior chamber angle, and the thickness of the corneal cells to make sure they are suitable for surgery.
Your doctor will give you instructions about what to do a day or two before the surgery (e.g. when to stop eating and drinking, what medications to stop). You will also need to arrange for an adult to pick you up and take you home on the day of the surgery.
Before the surgery, you will be given special eye drops to numb your eyes and dilate your black eye. You may also be given a small amount of sleeping medicine to keep you calm.
What are the main differences between ICL and LASIK surgery?
A question that many people have is what the difference is between these two surgeries. Although the goal of both is to provide clear vision without glasses, the way in which this is done is very different.
| Feature | ICL surgery | LASIK surgery |
|---|---|---|
| How to do it | Inserting a special lens into the eye. | Changing the shape of the cornea with a laser. |
| Effect on the structure of the eye | There is no removal or alteration of the natural eye tissue. | Permanently removes dark circles and changes their shape. |
| Reversibility | Yes. The lens can be removed again if necessary. | No. The change made is permanent. |
| Dry Eye Risk | The risk is very low. | The risk is too high. |
| Eligibility | It is best suited for those with very high nearsightedness values (numbers) and thin corneas. | There are limitations on the thickness and number of corneas. |
What happens after surgery? And the recovery time?
After the surgery, your doctor will give you a series of instructions about what you should and shouldn't do. You will need to use eye drops for about two weeks to protect against eye infections.
Your vision may begin to clear within 24 hours, sometimes even immediately after surgery. Your vision will become clearer over the next two to three days. You can return to normal activities within a few days.
Most importantly: After surgery, your doctor will give you follow-up appointments (e.g. next week, in a week, in three months). It is very important to attend these check-ups.
When should I call the doctor?
The doctor will give you clear instructions on what to do if an emergency occurs after surgery. Generally, if something like this happens, you should notify him immediately.
- If you experience unbearable pain .
- If there is excessive bleeding from the eye.
- If you show signs of infection, such as pus-like discharge from the eye or fever .
- If you suddenly lose your vision or notice a major change.
In any such situation, call your surgeon immediately. If you cannot reach him, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- ICL is a surgery that implants a special lens inside the eye to correct vision, and it is very safe and has successful results.
- This is a great solution for those who are not eligible for LASIK surgery, especially those with high levels of myopia and thin corneas.
- Two of the biggest advantages of this are that it is a reversible surgery and that the risk of dry eyes is reduced.
- As with any surgery, there are some risks, so it is essential to have a thorough discussion with a qualified eye surgeon, get all your questions answered, and learn the full details before making a decision.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න