In contrast to laser vision correction procedures like LASIK that remove corneal tissue, EVO ICL is an additive procedure that is designed to be permanent yet is also completely reversible for full peace of mind. It’s an implanted collagen-based contact lens that works in harmony with your natural eye.
While laser vision correction surgery, like LASIK and PRK, can be ideal in addressing refractive errors, some people do not qualify. This is commonly due to astigmatism, extreme nearsightedness, abnormally thin corneas, or a history of dry eye. Implantable contact lenses (ICLs), or phakic intraocular lens implants, can work as a solution for these patients and provide significant vision improvement. The EVO ICL is implanted on the natural crystalline lens of the eye, behind the cornea and iris, and works to provide clear vision for patients with moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness).
Phakic intraocular lens implantation works much like traditional contacts, except that it is implanted by a surgeon and designed to stay in place, either permanently or over the long term. Early clinical outcomes show they are generally very well-tolerated and compatible with the eye chemistry. At Chu Vision Institute, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu offers the EVO ICL lens to fit your unique vision needs. To find out if you’re a good candidate for an EVO ICL procedure, reach out to our office in Minneapolis, MN.
See behind the scenes through Kristen’s emotional ICL story.
We are pleased to offer the EVO/EVO+ ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) for our patients who want to correct their vision with implantable lenses. This innovative lens is an excellent option for correcting astigmatism and nearsightedness.
Unlike traditional procedures, the EVO ICL is placed behind your iris, and your natural lens remains in place. It's designed to give you clear, sharp vision without glasses or contacts. While the lens is meant to stay in place permanently, it is also removable if you choose to in the future.
Liz noticed a difference in her vision just minutes after her ICL (implantable contact lens) procedure! Her prescription was so high that she couldn't see things more than 4 inches from her face! Now she can see 20/20 - easily seeing road signs and faces across the room
FUN FACT: ICLs have been FDA-approved since the early 2000s and have a long safety record. Dr. Chu was the first surgeon in Minnesota to implant the original ICL!
Let our team of experts guide you! If you have been told you are not a candidate for LASIK, Laser Vision Correction, or are just looking for an alternative that helps you see better, it’s time to get clarity. (Pun intended!) Schedule a FREE consultation to see what’s right for you.
A microscopic collagen lens called the EVO ICL is implanted by a surgeon so that patients may see without contact lenses or glasses as soon as they awaken. The EVO ICL is composed of collagen, so you can’t feel it or see it in the mirror, and since it works in concert with your body chemistry, your immune system isn’t even aware that it’s there. Even if you have been told you cannot undergo LASIK or other vision correction procedures, individuals who wish to see without glasses and contacts may be excellent candidates for EVO ICLs.
The EVO ICL is meant to remain in place and last indefinitely. You can stop worrying about your vision quality as more than 1 million people have escaped glasses or contact lenses thanks to the EVO ICL. Even though the EVO ICL is considered to be permanent, it is completely reversible and may be taken out or replaced if necessary.
For the first three to five days after EVO ICL surgery, refrain from rubbing your eyes. Although it is never a good idea to rub your eyes, doing so after the initial recovery following ICL implantation won’t be particularly damaging. Touching the surface of the eye won’t harm the ICL since it is placed beneath the surface of the eye.
Not everyone can safely undergo ICL surgery. To find out whether the surgery is suitable for you, speak with one of our specialists at Chu Vision Institute. You will get a thorough consultation and an opportunity to discuss your particular eye issue and your vision correction options. If you fit into any of the following criteria, ICL surgery may not be a suitable option for you:
The amount and type of eyeglass prescription that may be addressed with each surgery differ significantly between LASIK and ICLs. ICLs have received FDA approval in the US to treat a fairly broad spectrum of nearsightedness, from milder forms (-3.00D) to more severe forms (-20.00D). ICLs are FDA-approved to treat more nearsightedness than LASIK, which is FDA-approved to treat both farsightedness and nearsightedness with or without astigmatism (-14.00D is the top of the nearsightedness range approved by the FDA).
Your existing eyeglass prescription and what is ideal for your safety are two of the most crucial considerations if you’re considering ICL surgery as a LASIK alternative. According to most medical professionals, ICL is generally performed on individuals who are not candidates for LASIK, since it is a more invasive operation than LASIK. It is crucial for a patient to consult with a qualified eye doctor to examine their unique circumstances and discuss the risks and advantages of the proposed course of treatment.
ICL recovery is comparable to LASIK in terms of speed of visual return and patient comfort. The lens is not meant to need regular cleaning, adjusting, or maintenance like contact lenses; instead, it is meant to be a permanent implant.
ICLs are approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals between the ages of 21 and 45. This age range is based on the age group examined in clinical safety studies, like many other criteria used afterward to advise procedure choice. But what if you’re older than 45? Patients over 45 are more likely to notice changes to their vision, known as presbyopia or age-related loss of near vision. This affects the natural lens of the eye, which is not treated during the ICL procedure. This is why if you are above 45, refractive lens exchange (RLE), a procedure similar to current cataract surgery, will often be recommended by Dr. Chu.
The entire EVO ICL procedure is usually completed in thirty minutes. You should plan to be in the office for two to three hours the day of your procedure to allow time for patient registration and recovery following the surgery.
For the first few weeks, some patients may have fuzzy vision; they may require glasses for nighttime driving or reading until their vision stabilizes. Your eyes could feel sensitive, and some people may have side effects like haze as a result of “over-healing.” These typically self-resolve. With the use of prescription eye drops and medicine, these risks may be significantly reduced.
