Implantable Collamer Lens
An alternative to laser vision correction that may be more suitable for some patients. Both eyes same day, and visual recovery as quick as that of LASIK.
€5700 or €5865 per eye
What is it?
Overview
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a procedure that implants an artificial lens, called an implantable collamer lens (ICL), inside your eye between your iris (the coloured part of your eye) and your natural lens. The ICL is chosen to correct your prescription and this vision correction procedure can remove the need for you to use glasses and/or contact lenses to see well. At Wellington Eye Clinic, we use the EVO+ Visian ICL™ and Visian® ICL™ which are manufactured by STAAR surgical.
The Benefits Are Clear
Quick procedures taking approximately 30 minutes per eye and done separately if preferred, 1 week apart. Often performed on 2 consecutive days and nowadays more commonly on the same day
Can correct large prescriptions that may be less suitable for laser vision correction
Excellent choice for those with dry eye that is not responding sufficiently well to treatment
Increased freedom from glasses and/or contact lenses
In the event that the ICL does not fully correct the prescription, the vision can be further improved with a laser eye surgery fine-tuning procedure. At the Wellington Eye Clinic, there is no additional cost for this laser surgery enhancement if required within the first 5 years after the ICL procedure
Reversible (very unlikely to be required, well below 1% risk) but a feature that many people appreciate. The ICL can be removed if desired and the status of the eye returns to the preoperative state.
How does it work?
Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs) may remove the need for glasses and/or contact lenses by implanting a lens between your iris (the coloured part of your eye) and your natural lens. The lenses are invisible and cannot be felt. Our ICL procedures are performed at the adjacent Beacon Hospital or in the Wellington Eye Clinic's SurgiCube theatre. The procedure is performed one eye at a time, generally on the same day. Occasionally, we will advise 1-14 days apart. At the Wellington Eye Clinic, we use the EVO+ Visian ICL™ and Visian® ICL™, which are manufactured by STAAR Surgical.
Why do I need it?
How do I know if it is right for me?
What to Expect
The first step is to book a consultation with one of our Optometrists. During this appointment you will undergo a number of tests and scans and your visual needs will be assessed. After reviewing your tests and scans, the Optometrist will discuss possible surgery options and advise on your suitability for the procedure. This appointment will last up to 2.5 hours.
Please note: Your pupils will be dilated so you will be unable to drive for the remainder of the day following the appointment. Contact lenses must be left out 2 days (soft lenses) and 3 weeks (for hard lenses) prior to an evaluation as they distort the natural shape of the cornea.
If your consultation and scans suggest that ICL is the best option for you, we will arrange an ultrasound test to do the most accurate sizing available with ICL Guru on another day at the Wellington Eye Clinic. This test will provide the most accurate prediction of how the different size ICLs will suit your eye. The predictability of this ultrasound exam and ICL Guru sizing has led to ICL becoming the fastest growing procedure of all the procedures that we offer at the Wellington Eye Clinic.
Transparent, consultant-reported outcomes: We publish our outcomes.
Benchmarked against international standards.
If outcomes matter, they should be visible.
Rolling 24-month data, updated monthly
On the day of your surgery, the procedure itself takes approximately 30 minutes per eye; however, you should expect to spend around four hours in either the Beacon Hospital or the Wellington Eye Clinic. This allows time for admission to the Day Unit, preoperative checks (such as blood pressure monitoring), and pupil dilation prior to surgery.
If your procedure is carried out in the hospital, the anaesthetist will speak with you about sedation, as surgery there is typically performed under general anaesthesia. In the clinic setting, procedures are performed using local anaesthetic eye drops with oral sedation, which is the option chosen by around 90% of patients.
Following your procedure, you will rest in the recovery room for approximately 40 minutes, where refreshments will be provided. In accordance with Beacon Hospital policy, you will need a family member or friend to collect you from the Day Unit reception area after discharge. You will then attend the Wellington Eye Clinic for a same-day review with a member of the clinical team to monitor your early recovery.
In some cases, the procedure may also be carried out entirely at the Wellington Eye Clinic using topical anaesthesia and oral sedation. Your clinician will advise whether you are suitable for this option
Once you are discharged from Beacon Hospital, you will come to the clinic for a quick intraocular pressure (IOP) check to ensure the IOP is stable before you go home. We advise all patients to go home and rest on the day of their procedure. Most patients find the procedure comfortable with only mild discomfort for the remainder of the day. Prescriptions for pre and post operative care will be provided at the time of booking your surgery appointment and you should have these prescriptions filled prior to going home. You will use 3 kinds of drops for 1 month after the procedure. These are intended to reduce inflammation and infection as your eye heals.
You will return to the clinic for post-operative visits as per the below schedules:
- Day 1
- 1 week
- 6 weeks
- 6- 12 months
Frequently asked questions
Pricing
Before treatment
Vision Correction Initial Consultation
€150
Treatment
Implantable Collamer Lenses
€5700 or €5865 per eye
The facility fees differ between Beacon Hospital and Wellington Eye Clinic. A full written quote will be given prior to scheduling surgery.
Follow Ups
Typically you should come for a check up at least once every 2 years.
First 12 months
No Charge
12 months - 4 years
€150
12 months - 4 years (Optometrist Only)
€100
After 4 years (Doctor & Optometrist)
€250
Additional scans may be required with additional cost of €60 each. Maximum 2 scans chargeable per visit.
After 4 years (Optometrist Only)
€150
Additional scans may be required with additional cost of €60 each.Maximum 2 scans chargeable per visit.
Want to begin your journey to clearer vision?
Whether you still need more information or you think this is the right procedure for you, request a consultation and we’ll be able to help you from there.