ICL Implant

A revolutionary and reversible solution to crystal clear vision for those with a very high glasses prescription.

What are ICL implants?

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is an advanced, thin, artificial lens that functions similar to a contact lens. It’s implanted into the eye which sits on top of your own natural lens and behind the iris (the coloured part of the eye). The lens cannot be felt while in the eye. It is made from a very stable and biocompatible material called collamer which contains a small amount of purified collagen, the lens also has a UV light filter for added protection of your eyes.

ICL Implant

What are the results with ICL implants?

Over 1 million procedures completed around the World

99.4% of patients would have the ICL procedure again*

99% of patients are satisfied with their vision after ICL

*Reference: Patient Survey, STAAR Surgical ICL Data Registry, 2018©2020 STAAR® Surgical Company MKT-0277 REV.

Am I suitable for ICL?

Take our online suitability test

1 Min. Assessment

30 Sec. Assessment

If you are aged 20-45 years old and frustrated with your glasses or contact lenses, this could be the perfect solution to make you glasses free.

It’s an ideal solution if you have severe short-sightedness (more than -10) or long sightedness (more than +6)

The ICL doesn’t affect the natural focussing ability of the eye (called accommodation). This is why ICL is an ideal solution if you are 21 to 45 years old as the accommodation is most effective until we are in our 4th decade. Beyond this refractive lens exchange is a better option for people who are not suitable for laser eye surgery.

Benefits of ICL

ICL Implant
A unique advantage of ICL implants is that it’s reversible and can be taken out if required. This is particularly important because if you need cataract surgery in your retirement age, the ICL doesn’t limit your options of benefiting from any future vision correction lens technologies (including multifocal lenses).
ICL Implant
Another important advantage is most people can still have laser eye surgery in the future if required once they have had ICL implant.

Private and NHS roles

Watch our video to
see how it works

Play Video

What to Expect

On the Day of Your Treatment

laser eye surgery
1. Warm welcome
You will meet with Dr. Arbabi who will review your clinical measurements, examine you and make you feel at ease.
laser eye surgery
2. Ensuring you are comfortable
Local anaesthetics eye drops will be instilled in your eyes to ensure they are completely numb and comfortable throughout the procedure.
3. ICL implant

The ICL implant is inserted into your eye through a 3mm keyhole incision. The operation takes around 10 – 15 minutes.You should soon be ready to see the world in all its glory.

After the Treatment

after treatment care
1. What to Expect
It is not unusual for your eyes to feel slightly gritty and light sensitive after the procedure, but this will quickly subside, and the eye should feel better by the next day.
after treatment care
2. Aftercare drops and advice
You will be given your aftercare drops and advice. You will be asked to wear a pair of sunglasses when making your way back to home and to stop rubbing your eye for at least one week. Avoid make up on face for one week and on your eyes for two weeks.
after treatment care
3. The future
You will be seen the next day and advised when you can resume normal activities. Most people can expect to return to office-based work within first 24 to 48h after surgery. You should be able to resume most sport activates within 1 to 2 weeks. In addition, as part of our unique service you will be given my personal phone number to call or WhatsApp me directly if you had any concern or wanted to discuss anything about your procedure.

More information

ICL Implant step by step answer to all your questions

Other alternative to ICL include Laser eye surgery and refractive lens exchange. Of course, other options are to stay with your glasses or contact lenses

This is a safe operation but like any other operation there are some level of risks which include:

  • Over or under correction of your prescription: This is usually treatable with further surgery or laser
  • infection
  • increase in ocular pressure and glaucoma
  • need to exchange or reposition the ICL 
  • Early onset cataract or damage to the lens capsule
  • less than 1% risk of retinal detachment
  • glare, halos or double vision
  • Loss of cells from back of the cornea

Discover the freedom from glasses or contact lenses

Request a Callback

Request a Callback