Are you seeking clear vision, but are not a candidate for LASIK? Or are you looking for a vision correction alternative to LASIK? Clear vision may be in your future! With EVO ICL (Implantable Contact Lens), you can achieve high definition vision without many of the risks associated with laser vision correction. Implantable lenses have long been used for treatment of cataracts, and are now available for patients seeking clear vision!
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EVO ICL is a refractive lens also known as a phakic IOL (intraocular lens). “Phakic” meaning that the natural lens of the eye is not removed during the procedure. Instead, the natural lens is left in place. EVO ICL is an implant that is situated behind the iris and in front of the natural crystalline lens. This lens provides excellent contrast and because it is placed much closer to the natural lens, it results in images of a more normal size than glasses and many times, better vision than glasses. EVO ICL is considered an alternative to corneal refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange. As an added feature, EVO ICL advanced lens material contains a UV blocker that actually prevents harmful UVA and UVB rays from entering the eye. The placement of EVO ICL into the posterior chamber of the eye makes the lens usually invisible to both the patient and any observer.
The best candidates for EVO ICL are between the ages of 21 and 45, with moderate to severe nearsightedness. It is best if the candidate has not had any previous eye surgery and does not have a history of eye disease such as glaucoma, iritis or diabetic retinopathy.
If for any reason are major changes in your vision, EVO ICL can easily be removed and replaced, or another procedure can be done at any time. With EVO ICL, you can still wear glasses or contact lenses if necessary. Unfortunately, EVO ICL does not treat presbyopia, or the need for reading glasses due to age.
EVO ICL surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient has surgery and goes home the same day. A light, topical or local anesthetic is administered and there is very little discomfort and normally no pain associated with the procedure. Some drops or perhaps oral medication may be prescribed and a visit is usually scheduled the day after surgery.
EVO ICL is an Implantable Collamer Lens that works with the eye to correct vision. Unlike traditional contact lenses that go on the surface of the eye, EVO ICL is positioned inside the eye between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the natural lens where it stays indefinitely. If your vision changes dramatically, however, it can be removed from the eye.
Technologically Advanced Lens Material: Unlike other lenses, EVO ICL is made from Collamer, a technologically advanced lens material exclusive to STAAR Surgical. Because of the collagen in Collamer, it is biocompatible with the eye (not seen as a foreign object to the body) and provides exceptional quality of vision. The lens rests quietly in position while accurately correcting vision. EVO ICL is the best choice for a lens that is going to remain inside your eye for a lifetime.
Corrects a Wide Range of Vision Needs: If you are between 21 and 45 and nearsighted, you are an excellent candidate for EVO ICL. It is preferable that you have had no previous ophthalmic surgery or history of ophthalmic disease such as glaucoma, iritis, or diabetic retinopathy.
Thin Corneas: The cornea is the curved portion on the front surface of the eye. EVO ICL does not have any effect on the cornea and may be appropriate if you have thin corneas.
Dry Eyes: EVO ICL does not cause or contribute to dry eyes. If you have dry eyes, ask your doctor if EVO ICL may be the best vision correction option for you.
Extreme Refractive Error: Refractive error in the focusing of light by the eye is a frequent reason for reduced visual acuity. Anyone seeking clear vision may be a candidate for EVO ICL, including those patients with low and extreme high refractive errors.
20-30 Minute Surgical Procedure
The Day of Surgery It is important that you do not drive yourself home so make arrangements before the day of surgery. Prior to implantation, you will receive anesthetic eye drops to minimize any discomfort. Your surgeon may also administer a sedative. Then, the doctor will create two micro openings in the edge of your cornea that will be used to insert and position the lens. Next the lens is injected, gently unfolding in your eye. Special marks on the lens ensure proper positioning. That’s it— the procedure takes about 15 minutes! Because the opening is microscopic, recovery time is very short without needing any sutures. A few hours after the procedure you will be able to leave the clinic.
After Surgery (Just a few days) To complete the procedure, the surgeon will provide eye drops to help prevent infection and inflammation. You will continue to use these drops for several days once you are home. DO NOT rub your eyes especially for the first 3 to 5 days. If you experience pain or notice any sudden decrease in vision, you should contact your doctor immediately. Then your only instructions are to check in for eye exams on a routine basis.
There are many unique advantages to EVO ICL. Read on to learn more about why EVO ICL could be the best vision correction procedure for you.
For years, the only method of permanent vision correction that didn’t involve glasses or contact lenses was corrective laser eye surgery. With the advent of EVO ICL, however, that’s all changed. Now, you can enjoy “High Definition EVO Visian ICL™” – a new level of vision correction that’s sharper, clearer, more vivid, and has greater depth and dimension – in a simple, 15-minuteoutpatient procedure.
After the simple 15-minute outpatient procedure, patients experience an immediate improvement in vision quality and are “Wowed” by the results. Often the quality of vision achieved is many times better than any vision correction solution.
One of the important advantages of EVO ICL is that while it is designed to permanently correct your vision, the lens can be simply removed and/or replaced if necessary. Also, concerns involving the cornea typically do not apply to EVO ICL, as no natural corneal tissue is permanently removed or reshaped in any way during implantation.
Because EVO ICL is positioned between the iris and natural lens, the lens is invisible to both the patient and any observer. Also, it’s positioning in the eye maintains normal iris function and promotes stability.
EVO ICL does not cause or contribute to dry eyes. If you have dry eyes, ask your doctor if EVO ICL may be the best vision correction option for you.
The recovery for EVO ICL is quick and pain-free, and may be as little as one day, due to the very small size of the opening required. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort, and many times go back to work the next day.
Long-term exposure to UV radiation can damage your eyes; and longer term or more intense exposure increases the chance of eye disorders including the development of cataracts and some retinal problems. As an added feature, EVO ICL advanced lens material contains a UV blocker that actually prevents harmful UVA and UVB rays from entering the eye, possibly preventing the development of UV related eye disorders.
Your vision changes as you grow older and eventually almost everyone will need cataract surgery. An important benefit with EVO ICL is that you have options for future treatments. Because EVO ICL maintains the structure of the eye, the lens can be removed and replaced if your vision changes substantially, or if you have another procedure at any time.
EVO ICL has an excellent safety profile compared to other procedures. Studies have shown that EVO ICL provides one of the best postoperative results of all refractive procedures available with a patient satisfaction rate of over 99%. Since 1997, more than a 2 million EVO ICL procedures have been performed worldwide.
To help you determine whether you might be a good EVO ICL candidate, we’ve included the answers to the following frequently asked questions:
Candidates for EVO ICL are between 21 and 45 years of age, suffer from myopia (nearsightedness), and want to experience superior vision correction. The ideal EVO ICL candidate has not undergone any ophthalmic surgery and does not have a history of eye disease such as iritis, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Anyone seeking clearer vision may be an EVO ICL candidate, including those with special or extreme vision correction needs. Consumers should contact a qualified EVO ICL surgeon for more information, including an assessment of their candidacy. Without enough anterior chamber depth or endothelial cell density may not be a good EVO ICL candidate.
A qualified ophthalmologist will insert the EVO ICL through a small micro-opening, placing it inside the eye just behind the iris in front of the eye’s natural lens. EVO ICL is designed to stay in position with no special care. Learn more about the EVO ICL surgery procedure.
Prior to being placed on the market, EVO ICL was subject to extensive research and development. Today, more than 2 million people worldwide enjoy the benefits of the device. In US clinical study, over 99 percent of patients were satisfied with their implant. EVO ICL has a track record of stable, consistently excellent clinical outcomes. The lens has been available internationally for over 15 years. More EVO ICL information is detailed on our corrective surgery clinical results page.
No, most patients state that they are very comfortable throughout the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will use topical anesthetic drops prior to the procedure and may choose to administer a light sedative as well.
EVO ICL is made of Collamer®, a highly biocompatible advanced lens material which contains a small amount of purified collagen. Collamer does not cause a reaction inside the eye and it contains an ultraviolet blocker that provides protection to the eye. Collamer is a material proprietary to STAAR Surgical Company.
One advantage of EVO ICL is that it offers treatment flexibility. If your vision changes dramatically after receiving the implant, your surgeon can remove and replace it. If necessary, another procedure can be performed at any time. Patients can wear glasses or contact lenses as needed following treatment with EVO ICL. The implant does not treat presbyopia (difficulty with reading in people 40 and older), but you can use reading glasses as needed after receiving EVO ICL.
The surgical procedure to implant EVO ICL is simple and painless. As an EVO ICL candidate, your surgeon will prepare your eyes one to two weeks prior to the procedure by using a laser to create two very small openings in the colored part of your eye which lies between the lens and the front chamber of your eye. This allows for the natural passage of fluids between the two areas, thereby avoiding the buildup of intraocular pressure following the treatment. The implantation procedure itself takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, though you will have to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.You can expect to experience very little discomfort during theEVO ICL implantation. You will undergo treatment while under a light topical or local anesthetic, perhaps with the addition of a mild sedative. Following surgery, you may use prescription eye drops or oral medication. The day after surgery, you will return to your surgeon for a follow-up visit. You will also have follow-up visits one month and six months following the procedure.
Although EVO ICL is intended to remain in place permanently, a qualified ophthalmologist can remove the implant if necessary.
No. EVO ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and observers. Only your surgeon will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.
EVO ICL is designed to be completely unobtrusive after it is put in place. It stays in position by itself and does not interact with any of the eye’s structures.
If you are a potential EVO ICL candidate who is interested in obtaining further EVO ICL information, you should contact a qualified EVO ICL surgeon. Physicians should contact the maker of EVO ICL, to learn more.
Since 2006, EVO ICL has been improving the vision of the bravest people in our nation under the harshest conditions imaginable. In fact surgeons in the US Military have implanted over 5,000 EVO ICLs with results that are nothing short of heroic.
If EVO ICL can meet the demands of soldiers in the US Military, imagine what it can do for you!
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