EVO ICL | Visian implantable contact lens in St. Louis
The majority of people who wear contact lenses would agree the most unpleasant aspect of contacts is having to remove them and put them back in daily. The maintenance of contacts, irritation, and dry eye syndrome some people experience also can be disruptive and distressing. It is this discomfort that drives patients to seek surgical vision correction for great long-term visual outcomes.
What is EVO ICL?
EVO ICL, sometimes referred to as an implantable contact lens or implantable collamer lens, is a lens that works in sync with your body’s natural chemistry and is placed in the eye in a simple, 15-minute procedure. This type of corrective eye procedure encompasses EVO Toric ICL or EVO Visian ICL.
EVO ICLs correct a wide range of refractive errors and can be a good choice for patients with thin corneas or high nearsightedness, those who aren’t a good candidate for LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), or those who desire the crisp and sharp visual outcomes implanted lenses can provide. Brinton Vision offers multiple laser assisted procedures and other vision correction options that can help patients see clearly — including lens implantation for many people who have been told they are not candidates for LASIK.
Are you a candidate for EVO ICL?
Your Brinton Vision Ocular Analysis will provide the information needed to develop a customized, personalized plan to help you obtain visual freedom.
Is EVO ICL safe?
EVO ICL technology may not be as well-known as LASIK but it has been proven to be safe and effective for decades. The first lens implant was placed in a human eye in 1949 by London Ophthalmologist Dr. Harold Ridley. He was later knighted by the Queen of England for his pioneering work. Ophthalmologists now have seven decades of experience with lens implants. Known globally as EVO ICL and EVO Toric ICL, EVO ICL implants have been used internationally since 1993. More than two million eyes in 63 countries have received EVO ICL implants, and that number is growing. Every six minutes, someone is given the chance at visual freedom that EVO ICL offers.
During EVO ICL surgery, the EVO ICL is placed behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) and in front of the natural lens through a tiny self-sealing incision. Vision can be significantly improved immediately after surgery. Our patients tell us about waking up the next day with sharp, clear vision. As an added bonus, EVO ICLs contain an ultraviolet blocker that protects eyes from harmful UV rays.
What to expect on surgery day
An EVO ICL procedure takes about 15 minutes, whether it’s EVO ICL or EVO Toric ICL; however, you should plan to be at Brinton Vision for approximately two to three hours as we test you before and after the procedure. Come with a friend or family member who can drive you home, since your vision may be blurry in recovery.
Just as when you visit your optometrist for a routine eye exam, you don’t need to wear special clothing or change clothes on your procedure day. The only thing we will add to your ensemble is a blue surgical cap to wear during your procedure.
You’ll lie down on a comfortable bed and your surgeon will use anesthetic drops to numb your eye. A small, gentle eyelid holder or blink protector will be put into place so that you do not need to worry about blinking during the procedure.
A small slit measuring about 2.9mm will be made to the side of the cornea, and a small collamer lens designed for you is rolled up like a scroll, inserted through this slit and smoothed out into place. The tiny incision generally heals quickly, and vision is typically clear within a few hours of surgery. In the following days, most patients notice it becomes even sharper with healing.
Are you ready to take the next
step in your vision journey?
What to expect after EVO ICL
Following your procedure, our experienced surgical technicians will provide you with instructions as well as eye shields to wear at night for the first week so you don’t accidentally rub your eyes while you sleep. We’ll schedule follow-up examinations for a few hours after your procedure and the morning after surgery so our doctors can personally ensure that your new vision is progressing well.
EVO ICL patients typically experience little if any discomfort during or after the procedure. Most patients are able to resume regular activities, including returning to work, the day after surgery.
Patients tell us they do not feel the new lens or notice it’s there, and it’s not noticeable to others. Unless you share it with others (and we hope you do), only your surgeon will be aware that vision correction has taken place.
Although the EVO ICL is intended to remain in place permanently, a qualified ophthalmologist can remove or update the lens to meet changes in your vision needs or health circumstances.
How EVO lenses correct vision
The EVO ICL corrects imperfections that lead to poor eyesight. While EVO ICLs cannot be seen from the outside, once in place they deliver incredibly crisp vision – offering visual freedom from glasses and contacts! An EVO ICL is placed in front of the eye’s natural lens behind the iris (the colored part of the eye). The patient’s natural lens remains intact, and no corneal tissue is removed.
The EVO ICL corrects imperfections that lead to poor eyesight. While EVO ICLs cannot be seen from the outside, once in place they deliver incredibly crisp vision – offering visual freedom from glasses and contacts!
Many cataract and refractive surgery centers in St. Louis devote their training, investments and advertising solely into LASIK but don’t offer laser assisted eye surgery alternatives. EVO Visian ICL is a popular procedure that holds a well-deserved spot as one of the most successful elective vision correction options in medical history. However, just as every person is unique, so are their eyes. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for vision correction surgery, for many patients, EVO lenses represent the best option.
Your Brinton Vision Ocular Analysis will provide additional information needed to develop a customized, personalized plan to help you obtain visual freedom.
See if you’re a candidate for EVO ICL.
More FAQs about EVO ICLs
What is EVO ICL?
EVO is the latest version of the implantable contact lens (ICL). Unlike pseudophakic intraocular lenses that replace the natural lens, the EVO ICL phakic intraocular lens works with the natural lens. Each EVO Visian ICL is selected for the needs of the patient to achieve optimal visual performance.
The EVO Visian ICL is a type of intraocular lens developed by STAAR Surgical, an innovator of the implantable collamer lens. This advancement in phakic intraocular lens implantation has been implanted in patients worldwide for years to achieve visual freedom, and now EVO has the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
How long do ICL lenses last?
EVO Visian ICL lenses can be removed if necessary but are designed to stay in place until cataract development warrants removal at the time of cataract surgery. The EVO ICL lens power does not wear off, change or degrade, and does not need to be replaced over time.
Does ICL surgery hurt?
Before ICL surgery, a patient’s eyes are numbed with anesthetic eye drops, so the procedure is painless. At most, some individuals feel a bit of pressure during surgery, or mild eye irritation during healing.
How long does ICL surgery take?
It takes only about 15 minutes to have Visian ICL lenses implanted. However, plan to be in your surgeon’s office for about three hours for check-in, surgical prep, surgery and a short recovery afterward. The short time investment helps patients achieve sharper vision for life.
Is ICL better than PRK?
EVO ICL offers excellent night vision compared to LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). For patients who are not ideal candidates for LASIK, implantable collamer lenses offer excellent correction for people with high myopia (nearsightedness, or better near vision), hyperopia (farsightedness, or better distance vision) and myopic astigmatism (distorted vision).
Is ICL surgery successful?
EVO ICL, developed by STAAR Surgical, has been available in Europe since 2002 and has been proven safe, effective and capable of extremely high patient satisfaction. Complications are rare, and the procedure is worth considering for patients who aren’t candidates for other vision correction options.
- Unlike LASIK, EVO Visian ICL can be removed if necessary.
- ICLs don’t introduce less risk dry eye syndrome.
- EVO ICL offers excellent night vision compared to LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
- ICLs provide better visual outcomes than other vision correction procedures for the right patient.
- Success rates are similar to other refractive surgery options for people with high myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, and high to moderate myopic astigmatism.
Is ICL FDA approved?
Visian ICL from STAAR Surgical was FDA approved in 2018, and the new EVO ICL received FDA approval in March 2022. However, both collamer lens ICL options have enjoyed high success rates in Europe for years before that.
Can you go blind from ICL?
Since 1993, more than 1 million eyes in 63 countries have received a phakic intraocular lens. Implantation is painless, has a quick recovery time, and patient satisfaction is high. This speaks volumes to how safe and effective EVO ICL surgery is in providing patients with improved vision.
Although EVO ICL implantation complications are rare, any surgery comes with some degree of risk. It’s important to be fully informed about all the potential risks before choosing any surgical vision correction procedure. Your eye doctor can provide additional information relative to your needs to help you make an informed decision.
Who is not suitable for ICL?
Some patients are not good candidates for the EVO Visian ICL procedure, such as individuals with constantly changing prescriptions for glasses, those who are experiencing cataract formation, those that have low myopia, or those with mild to moderate myopic astigmatism.
Talk to your eye care professional about a different vision correction option if you:
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- Are under 21 or older than 49
- Have low myopia, hyperopia or other refractive error
- Have a vision correction prescription that has recently changed
- Have been told you are a candidate for LASIK
- Have life threatening, chronic or uncontrolled medical conditions
- Take medications known to cause vision changes
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Ideal candidates for the EVO Visian ICL lens are reasonably healthy, have had a stable prescription for more than a year and are not a candidate for LASIK. Implantation does not involve the removal of corneal tissue, so it can be a powerful vision correction solution for a patient with nearsightedness, astigmatism, or thin corneas.
What is the difference between ICL and LASIK?
LASIK refractive surgery corrects vision by changing the shape of the cornea with a laser to focus light properly on the retina. Unlike LASIK, EVO Visian ICL doesn’t use a laser and is implanted inside the eye to work with the natural crystalline lens.
ICL and other implantable contact lenses are more appropriate for patients with a high degree of nearsightedness and astigmatism who may not be candidates for laser correction surgery.
Does ICL cause glaucoma?
If the ICL is placed incorrectly in the eye, it could cause a rise in intraocular pressure. That pressure can lead to glaucoma, although this complication is rare.
The prescription for each implantable collamer lens is determined by sophisticated diagnostic equipment that helps your eye doctor get the most accurate results for each eye. Rarely, the patient may still have an under- or overcorrection. Some may still need reading glasses after surgery, but others may receive an additional procedure (called an enhancement) to refine the outcome.
ICLs and IOLs (intraocular lenses) cannot prevent or eliminate cataracts or glaucoma, nor do they protect from future health of eye changes. Patients should continue to monitor eye health with annual eye exams.
Does ICL cause dry eye?
Dry eyes can result from aqueous deficiency in which the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough tears to keep eyes moist. Dry eyes can happen to some people after wavefront-guided laser (LASIK), but EVO Visian ICL surgery has been shown to have less risk of dry eye syndrome cause by surgery.
Through proper evaluation and management, your ophthalmology professional can eliminate as many risks as possible and help you achieve visual freedom.
How much does ICL surgery cost?
EVO Visian ICL surgery in the U.S. varies by region and from one eye doctor to another. Other factors influence the surgical fee, including individual needs, and the expertise of your Visian ICL surgeon and staff.
Compare the cost of the EVO Visian ICL procedure to what you will pay for a lifetime of glasses and contact lenses. You may save more money in the long run than you think. There are ways to pay for surgery that make it affordable:
1. Multiple payment forms – cash, check, credit card, or a combination of these
2. Medical spending accounts – Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Medical Savings Account (MSA).
3. Monthly payment options – either through your surgical center’s financing partner or your own lender
4. Tax deductions – Vision correction surgery is considered by the IRS to be a tax-deductible medical expense. This can offset some of the cost of your vision correction procedure.
Learn more about EVO ICL costs.
Testimonial
Dr. Jason P. Brinton (left) and actor Eve Torres Gracie, a patient who received EVO ICL implants, headline a symposium for doctors in Louisiana.
