Valley Laser Eye Centre Logo in White
Book a Consultation

What You Should Know About Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL)

Have you worn glasses for most of your life? Do you want a permanent solution to blurry vision? Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) might be perfect for you. This procedure, like Lasik, corrects vision problems permanently. But before you call your ophthalmologist to book an appointment for ICL, here’s what you need to know about it.

Full Disclaimer: This blog post does not replace medical advice and should not be implemented prior to consulting a fully certified medical professional.

Understanding ICL

ICL is a procedure that corrects many eye problems, such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. These contact lenses are permanently implanted and reshape your corneas for corrective vision.

It’s a thin lens that gently curves to cover your eye and instantly improves your vision. ICL remedies most refractive errors so patients can see without squinting or using corrective wear.

While regular corrective lenses are a temporary solution, the ICL is surgically placed for permanent perfect vision. These lenses work together with your natural eye lens to restore your 20/20 vision.

ICL Procedure

The procedure involves your ophthalmologist creating a small incision in the cornea. Then, the lens is slipped in front of or behind the iris, but always before the natural lens. Whichever way the doctor performs the surgery is dependent on your eye health and the degree of corrective measure needed.

Once the surgery is completed with lenses in their proper place, you’ll go into recovery. Most patients experience optimal results a week following the surgery, but full recovery takes one to two months.

In addition, ICL is the eye procedure that corrects extreme refractive errors that not even LASIK can fix. While laser eye surgery is another excellent corrective surgery, ICL can cater to those with worse vision. ICL is best for patients with slight astigmatism and severe myopia or severe near-sightedness.

What Makes a Good ICL Candidate

ICL seems like an excellent procedure to correct your vision for good. However, it is not for everybody. The ideal ICL candidate must pass the following criteria:

  1. Aged 21 to 45: ICL is ideal for those aged 21 to 45. Older people may suffer from presbyopia, which is the eye’s natural aging process, and doctors recommend having the surgery before that happens.
  2. Moderate to Severe Myopia: ICL corrects refractive errors between -3 and -20 diopters, so if you don’t fit this category, ICL could over-correct your vision.
  3. Minor to No Astigmatism: FDA-approved ICL lenses only treat up to 2.5 diopters of astigmatism, so, like in the case above, you might not be an ideal candidate if you don’t fit this.
  4. Pupil Size: You will have to have medium-sized pupils to qualify for the surgery. The surgeon will measure and ensure that your pupils are large enough to undergo surgery but small enough to recover safely.
  5. Pregnant and Breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, your hormones could affect your vision during this time, which makes you unsuitable for surgery. You may wait after giving birth and breastfeeding to have the surgery.

Conclusion

Implantable Contact Lenses procedure can do wonders for your vision. You just have to fit the candidate requirements so you can have this surgery, and ensure that you are prepared to do it.

Valley Laser Eye Centre is a laser eye clinic in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Our highly-trained staff is committed to maintaining a comfortable, professional, state-of-the-art facility so clients can enjoy a seamless vision clinic experience.

We offer ICL, Lasik, Cataract surgery, Refractive Lens Exchange, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), and reading vision correction. Book a consultation today and restore your perfect vision!

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts

reading glasses on top of a book

Why Are Reading Glasses No Longer Enough for Me?

If you have reached a point where reading glasses are scattered throughout your home, car, and workplace, you are not alone. Many people begin using reading glasses in their early to mid-40s and initially find them helpful. Over time, however, those same glasses may feel less effective. You might notice that small print is still blurry, your eyes fatigue quickly, or you need stronger prescriptions more often than expected.

At Valley Laser Eye Centre, we hear this concern daily. Patients often ask why a simple pair of readers no longer solves the problem and whether this means something is wrong with their eyes. The reassuring answer is that this experience is a normal part of how the eye ages. The more important question is whether relying on reading glasses alone still fits your lifestyle, comfort, and long-term vision goals.

an older woman getting her eyes checked

PRK Recovery Is Slower but More Stable Long Term

If you are researching vision correction, you may have noticed that PRK recovery is often described as slower than other laser procedures. For some people, that alone can feel discouraging. Slower recovery can sound inconvenient, uncomfortable, or risky.

At Valley Laser Eye Centre, we see this concern every day. Patients want clarity, not marketing promises. The reality is that PRK recovery is slower by design, and that slower healing process is exactly what gives PRK its reputation for excellent long-term stability, predictability, and corneal safety.

optometrist examining a patients eye

Why Cheap Vision Correction Can Cost More in the Long Run

When people begin exploring vision correction, one of the first questions they ask is often about price. Online advertisements for discounted laser eye surgery, limited-time promotions, or “all-inclusive” low-cost packages can seem appealing, especially for those who have worn glasses or contact lenses for years and want a fast solution.

At Valley Laser Eye Centre, we understand that cost matters. Vision correction is both a medical decision and a financial one. However, when price becomes the primary deciding factor, patients can unknowingly expose themselves to higher long-term costs, greater risk, and lasting vision compromises.