Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Cost | Why is it so expensive? Everything about ICL from A to Z

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Many people may be unfamiliar with implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery because there isn't as much information available compared to laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE.

Today, we will explain the surgical process, advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and cost of ICL surgery, along with other essential information to check before the procedure.

ICL Cost, What is ICL Surgery?

First, ICL surgery is a procedure that corrects vision by implanting an artificial lens inside the eye.

To put it simply, it's like wearing glasses, but instead of on your face, the lens is placed inside your eye.

It is typically performed for individuals with severe myopia (nearsightedness) or high astigmatism, or when LASIK or LASEK surgery is not possible due to thin corneas.

ICL Cost: Differences from LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK

Laser correction procedures like LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK all involve ablating the corneal stroma.

However, ICL surgery does not involve shaving or reshaping the cornea; instead, a lens is inserted into the eye.

Therefore, laser corneal correction surgery is suitable for individuals with thick and healthy corneas, and those with mild myopia or astigmatism.

ICL surgery is suitable for individuals with thin corneas, high myopia or astigmatism, or corneal diseases such as Avellino corneal dystrophy.

ICL Cost: ICL Surgical Process

First, for the surgery, the pupil, or the center of the eye, needs to be dilated. The medication used to dilate the pupil is called a mydriatic. It takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the mydriatic eye drops to take effect, so you should arrive at the clinic about an hour before the surgery to have the drops administered and wait.

Once dilation is complete, an incision is made in the cornea, the lens is inserted, and precisely positioned, completing the surgery.

The surgery typically takes around 10 minutes. At Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic, all our doctors complete the procedure in about 6 minutes.

Usually, after one eye is operated on, we check the intraocular pressure and the patient's condition, and after a period of rest, the other eye is operated on.

Also, the surgical process can vary slightly depending on whether an anterior chamber lens or a posterior chamber lens is chosen.

In the case of an anterior chamber lens, the lens is suspended in the anterior chamber of our eye, specifically between the cornea and the iris.

In the case of a posterior chamber lens, the lens is positioned in the posterior chamber of our eye, between the iris and the crystalline lens.

As mentioned earlier, for anterior chamber lenses, the lens needs to be attached to the iris for fixation. While this offers the advantage of good lens fixation, it requires a procedure called iridectomy (li). This makes the surgical process longer and more complex.

At our clinic, we currently do not perform anterior chamber lens implantation; we only perform posterior chamber lens implantation.

Anterior chamber lenses are located directly behind the cornea, which can affect the innermost part of the cornea, the endothelial cells, potentially leading to a decrease in these cells. Therefore, we do not perform this procedure for safety reasons.

Most ophthalmology clinics, including ours, rarely perform anterior chamber lens implantation nowadays, with over 70-80% of procedures being posterior chamber lens implantation.

After the surgery, you can rest in the recovery room, have your eye condition checked, and then go home.

For the first few hours, your vision may be blurry or uncomfortable, but most people can resume daily activities within one or two days.

ICL Cost: What are the advantages of ICL surgery?

The biggest advantage of ICL surgery is that it does not damage the cornea.

Therefore, it is the only surgical method for individuals with high myopia or high astigmatism who cannot undergo laser vision correction, or those with naturally thin corneas, to get rid of glasses and contact lenses.

Since the vision is not created by shaving the cornea, it offers the advantage of very clear vision quality.

Recovery is also fast, with most daily activities possible from the day after surgery.

Thus, ICL surgery can be said to produce very dramatic results.

Another significant advantage is that the lens can be removed at any time if problems arise or if you wish to remove it.

Even for individuals with very poor eyesight, myopia can sometimes progress even after becoming an adult. In such cases, the lens can be replaced with a different power, or additional correction can be performed with laser vision correction surgery, which is another major benefit of ICL surgery.

ICL Cost: What are the disadvantages of ICL surgery? ICL Side Effects

No matter how many advantages there are, there are always things that must be checked before surgery, and that is side effects.

It is very important to be fully aware of the potential side effects that can occur during ICL surgery before undergoing the procedure.

First, cataracts. In the case of posterior chamber lenses, they are physically close to the crystalline lens, so contact between the lens and the crystalline lens can cause the crystalline lens to become cloudy, leading to cataracts.

However, since the design of the lens has changed to include a hole in the center, the occurrence of cataracts is now very rare.

Properly setting the space and position of the lens during surgery is also very important in reducing the risk of cataract development.

Next, glaucoma often occurs due to lens size. Typically, if the lens size is too large, it can lead to uncontrolled intraocular pressure.

If the aqueous humor, a fluid that needs to flow within the eye, does not flow smoothly, intraocular pressure increases, raising the risk of glaucoma.

Anterior chamber lenses required an iridectomy (creating a hole in the iris) to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor, but occasionally, this hole could become blocked, leading to increased intraocular pressure.

However, in the case of posterior chamber ICLs, the development of lenses with a built-in hole has significantly reduced the incidence of glaucoma, and it is now rarely observed.

Unlike anterior chamber lenses, which are located directly behind the corneal endothelium, posterior chamber lenses are not as close, so they are not significantly associated with a decrease in endothelial cells.

However, there are occasional cases of significant endothelial cell loss, so it is crucial to undergo regular check-ups at least once a year after surgery.

Rubbing or vigorously wiping the eyes can have an impact, so it is important to be careful about this.

And finally, what most people talk about the most,

The cost of ICL surgery

Many people who come in thinking about laser vision correction are surprised by the high price of ICL surgery.

The lens used in ICL surgery is made of a material called ‘Collamer’. This Collamer is the most biocompatible material, so the raw material itself is very expensive.

Furthermore, the optical technology of the lens company is combined to add prescription power to this material, making the lens itself expensive. Therefore, the overall cost of ICL surgery is generally high.

However, because of its excellent durability, long-term stability, and clear results, even though the cost of ICL surgery is high, many patients who have undergone ICL surgery at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic report very high satisfaction.

ICL Cost: Conditions for ICL Surgery

Before undergoing ICL surgery, as mentioned earlier, a thorough examination is necessary.

Various indicators are checked, such as the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye, whether the space for the lens (White to White) is not too small, whether the intraocular pressure is stable, and whether the number of endothelial cells is sufficient.

After various eye examinations, if the eye condition indicates a high probability of side effects, surgery will not be recommended. If surgery is possible, the surgeon will determine which lens is most suitable for your eyes.

ICL Cost: Is same-day surgery possible?

In most cases, same-day surgery is not possible. This is because, as explained above, ICL surgery requires numerous examinations to find the exact lens that fits your eye.

If, by chance, a lens that matches your eye's condition is available domestically, same-day surgery is possible. However, if the inventory is overseas, it usually takes 2 weeks. If there is no overseas inventory and manufacturing is required, it can take up to 2-3 months.

ICL Precautions

Since ICL surgery involves inserting a lens inside the eye, it is especially important to follow the post-operative care instructions carefully.

The first and most crucial precaution is to use the prescribed medications accurately during the initial post-operative period.

Next, avoid rubbing your eyes excessively. Finally, it is important to visit an ophthalmologist for regular check-ups at least once a year.

When you get your annual physical and dental check-ups, it would be good to schedule an eye exam as well.

If you are considering ICL surgery, please consult thoroughly with a specialist, accurately confirm your eye condition to choose the surgery, and remember to diligently follow the precautions, use eye drops, and attend regular check-ups.

If you are curious about ICL surgery reviews, please refer to the Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic website.

If you have any questions, even if not about ICL surgery, please feel free to leave a comment at any time.

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ICL Cost

Frequently Asked Questions

In what cases is ICL surgery suitable?

ICL surgery is primarily performed for individuals with severe myopia, high astigmatism, or those with thin corneas who cannot undergo LASIK or LASEK. It is also suitable for individuals with corneal diseases as it does not involve corneal ablation.

How long does ICL surgery take?

The surgery typically takes around 10 minutes. At Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic, all our doctors complete the procedure in about 6 minutes per eye, with a rest period after one eye is operated on before proceeding to the other.

When can I resume daily activities after ICL surgery?

Most people can resume daily activities within one or two days after surgery. Recovery is relatively fast, with most routine activities possible from the day after the procedure.

Why is ICL surgery so expensive?

The 'Collamer' material used in ICL surgery is highly biocompatible and inherently expensive. Additionally, the optical technology from the lens manufacturer adds to the cost, making the lens itself pricey and thus contributing to the overall high cost of ICL surgery.

What are the potential side effects of ICL surgery?

Potential side effects include cataracts, glaucoma, and a decrease in endothelial cells. However, advancements in lens design have significantly reduced the incidence of cataracts and glaucoma, and regular check-ups are crucial.

Is same-day ICL surgery possible?

In most cases, same-day surgery is difficult. This is because a precise lens must be found to match your eye. If a suitable lens is available domestically, same-day surgery might be possible, but if inventory is overseas or custom manufacturing is required, it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2-3 months.