Midwest Eye Care Institute

Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL's)

Not a Candidate for LASIK/PRK…

For individuals with severe near-sightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), who are not candidates for corneal based refractive surgery (LASIK/PRK) – intraocular implants are an effective alternative.

Implantable contact lenses (ICLs) are similar to lenses used in cataract surgery, except it is not necessary to remove one's natural lens at the time of surgery, and the ICL is placed in front of one's natural lens at the time of surgery.

In general, ICLs are recommended for individuals between 21 and 45 years of age, so that ones own natural ability to focus up close (accommodation) is preserved. In individuals greater than 45 years of age, consideration is given to performing a Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE).

The ICL procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes, and is performed in the surgical suite at Midwest Eye Care Institute. Similar to cataract surgery, Dr. Conlon will place the implant into the eye through a small incision, which generally does not require stitches to close.

The implantation of ICLs was approved by the Health Protection Branch of the Canadian Federal government in 2001, and by the FDA in the United States, in 2006.

The procedure is completely reversible and the implant can be removed at anytime. The advantage of the ICL is that, in younger patients, the crystalline lens remains, and the patient does not lose the ability to accommodate. The ICL is ideal for highly nearsighted patients.