Phakic ICL (implantable contact lens)

Phakic ICL is a vision correction treatment.

What does phakic ICL involve?

A phakic IOL (intraocular lens) is a tiny, soft lens which is placed in your eye between your natural lens and the iris, or between the iris and the cornea. It’s also known as an ICL (implantable contact lens).

It’s like wearing a contact lens inside your eye instead of on the surface of it. The ICL is practically invisible and can be removed by your Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon if necessary.

Step 1: Your in-depth consultation

Your glasses prescription will be checked by our Optometrist and your eyes analysed with a series of thorough and comprehensive tests to check your suitability.

As a highly trained lens replacement surgeon with extensive experience I will discuss your specific requirements in detail. This will be the same person who carries out your ICL procedure and your checks at the follow-up appointments.

Step 2: Before the implantable contact lens procedure

My expert medical team and myself will review you and make you feel relaxed. Anaesthetic eye drops will be administered: once they’ve taken effect, your treatment will begin.

Step 3: The procedure

A small incision is made on the surface of your eye, then the ICL is folded up and placed into your eye using a special delivery device. This is designed to make the incision on the surface of the eye as small as possible. The lens is inserted into the eye through the delivery device and unfolds into position.

Step 4: Rest and recovery

Afterwards, you will be taken to our recovery suite to relax until you feel completely ready to return home.

Step 5: Your aftercare

You will be contacted the day after your implantable contact lens procedure. A follow-up consultation will be arranged in the first week after your surgery to check on your progress, assess the results of your ICL procedure and provide expert aftercare. It is recommended that regular eye checks be attended following this surgery.

Am I suitable?

ICL is an alternative solution to laser eye surgery and ideal if you have a high prescription and are unsuitable for laser eye surgery. This is particularly relevant for those under 40 because the natural lens of the eye, and therefore the capacity for close-up vision, is retained.

Some patients are not suitable for an ICL because the space where the lens rests is not large enough. The tests carried out at your consultation will check that there is sufficient space in your eye for the lens to be placed and housed safely.