Implantable contact lenses

ICL refers to the procedure of surgically implanting a small contact lens inside the eye. In cases where laser eye surgery is unsuitable, implantable contact lenses can be used for the correction ofmyopia (short sightedness), hyperopia (long sightedness) and astigmatism.

Benefits of implantable contact lenses

ICL is relatively pain free procedure offering rapid recovery and permanent improvement of vision. The process removes the need for glasses or standard contact lenses and the hassles of inserting, removing and cleaning of standard contact lenses.

The procedure

The procedure takes place under local anasthetic (injection) with antibiotic eye drops being inserted into the eyes 30 minutes or so prior to the operation in order to combat infection.

A small incision is made in the side of the cornea and the new lens inserted through it to sit in front of the eye's natural lens right behind the cornea. Most clinics will only perform the operation on one eye at a time in case of infection or rejection of the lens by the body.