Refractive surgery with ICL intraocular lens
La refractive surgery with ICL intraocular lens is a surgical option directed to those patients who want to remove the glasses or contact lenses but cannot undergo laser surgery (FemtoLASIK, LASIK, PRK).
La refractive surgery with ICL offers very good results, the advantage that It is a reversible invention where, unlike laser techniques, we do not alter the cornea.
Refractive surgery with ICL intraocular lens
La refractive surgery with ICL intraocular lens is a surgical option directed to those patients who want to remove the glasses or contact lenses but cannot undergo laser surgery (FemtoLASIK, LASIK, PRK).
La refractive surgery with ICL offers very good results, the advantage that It is a reversible invention where, unlike laser techniques, we do not alter the cornea.
What is an ICL lens?
The term ICL is the acronym for Intraocular Contact Lens. It is a lens inserted into the eye, behind the iris and just in front of the lens, like a contact lens, hence its name. So that it does not damage the tissues, it is made with collagen collamer, a biocompatible material that guarantees its tolerance and provides you with a high quality vision and without causing discomfort.
ICLs have a shape that allows their perfect sulcus placement and a central hole so that the fluids of the eye pass through it and do not alter the pressure of the eye.
For whom is the ICL lens implant indicated?
Surgery by implanting an ICL intraocular lens is indicated for young patients. with high myopia, hyperopia and / or astigmatism, corneas with thickness reduced, less than 500 microns or with a altered resistance pattern (corneal hysteresis).
The implantation of an ICL intraocular lens is indicated in patients with:
- Myopia: 8 diopters or more.
- Hyperopia: between 4 and 6 dioptres or more.
- Astigmatism: 3 diopters or more.
When these limits are exceeded, it is when we recommend not using conventional laser techniques and we go on to indicate ICL lenses.
This technique allows us to correct all the refractive defects of the patient in the same intervention. It should be noted that if there is the presence of astigmatism, the lens to be implanted will be a toric ICL.
Advantages of ICL lenses
- reversible surgery: If the surgery produces significant changes in vision, these lenses can be removed and / or replaced.
- high definition vision: Vision is clear and well defined, superior even to contact lenses or even LASIK corneal surgery.
- It does not produce Dry Eye: unlike laser surgery, this technique does not alter the corneal surface and we will not have any possible dry eye discomfort from refractive surgery.
- Rapid intervention: The duration of this intervention is 15-20 minutes, it is a fast recovery outpatient surgery and most people can return to their daily activities in a few days.
- Aesthetically undetectable: At first glance, these lenses cannot be seen.
- UV protection: its material allows the creation of an ultraviolet barrier while allowing natural light to pass through without altering it.
- Excellent results: satisfaction in 99% of cases, with a high safety profile and low incidence of complications compared to other techniques.
What does ICL lens implant refractive surgery consist of?
El ICL intraocular lens implant (implantable lenses) is performed in OR through Anesthesia local and its goal is remove graduation de myopia, farsightedness I astigmatism in those patients who are not candidates for laser refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK and the most modern, FemtoLASIK). This surgical option allows to correct a ampgreat range of graduations.
Our ICL lenses are placed inside the eye between the iris and the lens. They remain in this position indefinitely and without the need to alter any structure of the eye.
How is myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism surgery performed with ICL intraocular lens?
Depending on the patient, if you are more nervous or do not want to see or feel anything during the intervention, we will recommend in surgery to implant an ICL to perform it with topical anesthesia (only drops) or through sedation.
It is a Ambulatory surgery, the patient arrives at our center and after verifying the corresponding documentation, goes to the pre-surgical box and from here to the operating room. If sedation is performed, you should go on an empty stomach from a few hours before. Surgery lasts 20 minutes per eye and we usually make both eyes the same day.
At the end, the patient he wakes up and already you can go home without covering your eyes. You should remain with a certain degree of rest and instill the drops prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
Postoperative and recovery
The postoperative at home is simple, it is recommended not to do physical exercise and not strain vision the first days, especially during the first 3. You can see the TV o read from day one, as well as go outside but, always with caution and with the protection of glasses.
Vision recovery is very fast, after 24 hours you already have more than 50% of the final visual acuity. It is a progressive process and therefore we recommend not to force evolution. We recommend being cautious the 1st week after surgery, no go to work and avoid physical exercise.
We generally do not recommend doing contact sport until the 3rd week, after which you can start a normal life, including physical exercise, provided they are not contact sports.
