The EVO Visian® ICL™ is a refractive eye implant that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is placed behind the iris, and in front of the natural lens. It can be thought of as a permanent implantable contact lens.
Most ICL patients at Peña Eye Institute in Harlingen, TX, have questions about recovery time. We’re here to assure you that the surgery and recovery are both relatively simple. The total recovery time for an implantable collamer lens is usually about one month, and the healing process can be very easy, as long as the post-operative instructions are closely followed.
One of the biggest advantages of the EVO ICL is that it’s suitable for patients with thin corneas, while LASIK, a procedure with similar benefits, is not. The shape of the cornea is changed during LASIK, but it’s left unaltered during ICL surgery. An ICL can also treat more severe nearsightedness than LASIK.
ICL Surgery Overview
ICL surgery at our Harlingen office typically takes 15 minutes or less per eye. Dr. Peña will dilate your eye and then administer anesthetic drops to ensure a pain-free procedure.
- Dr. Peña will make a very small incision in your cornea to access the inner part of your eye. This incision will not permanently alter the cornea.
- He’ll insert the ICL through this opening and position it in front of your natural lens. The ICL is thin and flexible, so it will unfold into place.
- Dr. Peña will make any necessary positioning adjustments to achieve optimal vision correction.
- You may receive stitches to close the corneal incision, but the incision is so small that it heals naturally in most cases.
- Dr. Peña will check your intraocular pressure no more than two hours after surgery. If it’s in a normal range, your designated driver will be able to take you home immediately afterwards.
Tips for ICL Recovery
Your eye will be fully healed after about four weeks, but you’ll likely notice a marked improvement to your vision within 24 hours. It will continue to improve over the next few days. Most people can return to their normal schedules the day after surgery, but it’s important to follow these guidelines to make sure the entire recovery process goes smoothly.
- Rest is important to healing after any surgery. Listen to your body and take it easy once you return home from the procedure.
- Wear sunglasses in bright light for the first few days after surgery to avoid discomfort. Avoid using bright screens for prolonged periods as well.
- Use the eye drops Dr. Peña prescribes to maintain moisture and promote healing. Strictly follow the regimen he gives you.
- Don’t bend over for several days after surgery. This can increase the pressure in your eye, which may lead to complications. The same rule applies to exercise and lifting heavy objects.
- Attend your checkups as scheduled by Dr. Peña. He will use this time to address any discomfort or side effects and ensure that your ICL is working as it should.
Dr. Peña will provide a more detailed list of recovery instructions on the day of your procedure. He’ll also provide a list of preoperative instructions beforehand.
The EVO ICL can reduce or eliminate your need for glasses and contact lenses without replacing your eye’s natural lens. If your needs change in the future, it can easily be removed in another quick procedure.
Ready for Better Vision? Contact Peña Eye Institute
ICL surgery can dramatically change the way you see the world. If you’re interested in what this quick outpatient procedure can do for you or if you have questions about the recovery process that weren’t addressed here, get in touch with Peña Eye Institute in Harlingen, TX, today.
