ICL vs LASIK: Which Option Fits Your Vision and Your Life? 

If you rely on glasses or contact lenses, you may be exploring options that offer long-term freedom from both. LASIK is often the most recognised name, but it’s not the only choice. 

At Wellington Eye Clinic, we also offer ICL, or Implantable Collamer Lens. It’s a lens-based treatment that corrects vision from inside the eye, rather than reshaping the surface. For some people, it’s the most effective path to clear, lasting vision, and it’s an important part of how we approach Lifestyle Vision Design. 

What is ICL? 

ICL stands for Implantable Collamer Lens. It’s a soft, customised lens that’s placed inside the eye, between your iris and your natural lens. It corrects your vision from within and stays in place permanently, without removing any natural tissue. 

The procedure itself is short and comfortable, carried out in our on-site day surgery suite. Recovery is typically fast, with most people resuming daily activities within a few days. 

ICL and LASIK: How They Compare 

Both ICL and LASIK are proven options for reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. But they work in different ways and may suit different eyes, prescriptions, and lifestyles. 

Why Choose ICL? 

ICL may be a great fit if: 

•  You have a moderate to high prescription. 

•  Your eyes are sensitive or prone to dryness. 

•  You would prefer not to alter the shape of your cornea. 

•  You appreciate the reassurance of a reversible option. 

It’s also a strong option for those who spend a lot of time on screens or in dry environments, and who want long-lasting visual clarity without relying on glasses. 

ICL has been used globally for more than 20 years and is supported by a strong safety record. At Wellington Eye Clinic, we utilise advanced diagnostics to thoroughly assess your eyes before making any recommendations. 

Your consultation includes more than two and a half hours of tailored testing and measurements. This helps us determine whether ICL, LASIK, or a lens-based approach is the best fit for your long-term visual needs. 

What Makes ICL Unique? 

ICL isn’t just a lens implant; it’s a highly engineered, long-term vision correction option that fits quietly and comfortably into your eye. 

Here are a few things that set it apart: 

• Designed for clarity 
  Many patients describe their vision after ICL as “high definition.” The quality of vision is crisp and sharp, even in low-light conditions, such as driving at night. 

• Invisible and undetectable 
  The lens sits behind the iris, so it can’t be seen or felt. It doesn’t change the appearance of your eyes and is completely unobtrusive. 

• Made from advanced materials 
  The lens is made from Collamer, a soft, biocompatible material that includes built-in UV protection and is designed to stay comfortable for decades. 

• No permanent changes 
  Unlike laser eye surgery, ICL doesn’t alter the shape of your cornea. If needed, the lens can be removed or upgraded, providing you with more flexibility in the future. 

• Great for younger adults 
  ICL is often ideal for individuals aged 21 to 45 who seek long-term freedom from glasses and contact lenses, without the dryness or sensitivity that some experience after surgery. 

Recovery and What to Expect 

Recovery is usually straightforward. You’ll be given eye drops to support healing and will return for follow-up care to ensure everything is progressing well. 

Because the lens is placed inside the eye, there’s no visible change to how your eye looks or feels, only in how clearly you see. 

Designed Around You 

We know that clear vision is about more than just correcting a prescription. It’s about how you live, what you do, and how you want to move through the world. 

That’s why we take a personalised, lifestyle-driven approach to care. We call it Lifestyle Vision Design, and it guides everything from how we assess your needs to the treatments we recommend and perform. 

Our goal is simple: to help you see clearly, comfortably, and confidently for the life you want to live. 

Next Steps 

If you’d like to explore whether ICL or another treatment could be right for you, we’d be happy to help.