ICL

No. ICL is often considered when laser vision correction is difficult because of high myopia or a thin cornea, but it can also be an option for those who want to preserve corneal tissue.

However, it is not possible for everyone; suitability is decided after carefully checking the depth of the space inside the eye, the corneal endothelial cell count, eye pressure, and the condition of the crystalline lens and retina.

Yes, even with very high myopia or high astigmatism, ICL may be possible depending on the exam results.

BSM Eye Clinic corrects high and very high myopia with the EVO+ Aqua ICL, and when there is astigmatism, a Toric ICL can correct myopia and astigmatism together.

However, there is a range of correctable prescriptions, and whether surgery is possible and which lens is suitable are decided after checking the depth of the space inside the eye, the corneal endothelial cell count and the lens size as a whole.

ICL may be limited if there is not enough space inside the eye or the corneal endothelial cell count is below the standard.

Corneal endothelial cells play an important role in keeping the cornea clear and need continued monitoring after surgery.

The required anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell standard differ by lens type, and age is also considered, so the doctor decides whether surgery is possible based on the exam results.

With the EVO+ Aqua ICL, the cornea is not reshaped with a laser. A small incision is made in the eye and a folded lens is inserted and positioned behind the iris and in front of the crystalline lens. The lens is designed so that aqueous fluid flows through a tiny hole in its center, so a separate iridotomy before surgery is generally not needed.

It is usually done under anesthetic eye drops, and the surgery itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes per eye.

The actual time and whether both eyes are done on the same day are explained according to the doctor's surgical plan.

For ICL, the power and size of the lens suited to your eyes are decided through a comprehensive exam.

If the clinic has a lens that matches the results in stock, surgery can proceed quickly, but if not, a separate order may be needed.

In particular, if the lens is not in stock in Korea, it may take 2 to 3 weeks or more until surgery.

The exact schedule is explained after the exam, once lens stock and bookings have been checked.

ICL surgery is usually done under anesthetic eye drops, so there is almost no pain during surgery.

You may feel pressure on the eye or mild discomfort during the procedure.

After surgery, a foreign-body sensation, stinging or sensitivity to light may occur temporarily and usually ease as you recover. If you have severe pain or a sudden drop in vision, contact the clinic immediately.

Visual recovery after ICL is relatively fast, and if the eye is stable, light daily activities are often possible from the day after surgery.

However, the time it takes for vision to stabilize fully differs from person to person, and glare or temporary blur may occur right after surgery.

Regular check-ups after surgery are especially important to check eye pressure, the position of the implanted lens and its distance from the crystalline lens.

After ICL surgery, care is needed for a certain period to prevent infection and allow stable recovery.

- Shower and washing hair: possible from the day after surgery; washing your face with water is possible after 3 days and with soap after 1 week. Take care not to let water get into your eyes or rub them hard.

- Light exercise: gym workouts, golf, jogging and yoga are possible 1 week after surgery.

- Strenuous exercise and swimming: martial arts, team sports and swimming are possible 1 month after surgery.

- Alcohol: we recommend not drinking for 1 month after surgery.

- Sauna: possible 1 month after surgery.

It is especially important not to rub your eyes for 1 month after surgery, and a protective eye shield must be worn while sleeping for 2 weeks.

The speed of recovery differs from person to person, so please resume daily activities according to the instructions of the medical staff.

If the eye is stable and there is no major discomfort, you can use a phone or computer from the next day.

Early on, sensitivity to light, temporary blur or dryness may occur, so take frequent breaks when looking at a screen for a long time.

Use your prescribed eye drops as instructed and avoid driving until your vision has recovered sufficiently.

After ICL surgery, temporary glare or halos, sensitivity to light and increased eye pressure may occur.

In rare cases cataract, glaucoma, a decrease in corneal endothelial cells, inflammation or infection, or lens malposition may occur, and if a toric lens rotates, the astigmatism correction can change.

It is therefore important to measure the space inside the eye, the endothelial cell count and the lens size precisely before surgery, and to check eye pressure and lens position regularly afterwards.

Although rare, cataract, increased eye pressure or glaucoma-related problems can occur after ICL surgery.

Risk factors include the implanted lens being too close to the crystalline lens or a problem with the flow of aqueous fluid inside the eye.

To reduce these risks, the lens size and the structure inside the eye are measured precisely before surgery, and eye pressure, the crystalline lens and lens position are checked regularly afterwards.

Yes, after ICL surgery lights such as street lights or car headlights may look spread out or have halos around them at night.

With the EVO+ Aqua ICL in particular, glare or halos may be noticed early after surgery because of the tiny hole in the center of the lens. These symptoms usually ease gradually as the eye adapts over time.

The severity and the adaptation period differ from person to person, and if glare is severe or continues to interfere with daily life, it is better to have your eyes checked.

The cost of ICL surgery can vary depending on the type of lens, whether astigmatism is corrected, and additional tests and the surgical plan according to your eyes.

In particular, the cost differs between standard and toric lenses, so the most accurate way is to be informed of the suitable lens and the final cost after a comprehensive exam.

The cost of ICL surgery can differ depending on the lens manufacturer and material, the optic design and whether it corrects astigmatism.

Rather than using a relatively cheaper lens to lower the cost, BSM Eye Clinic uses only the EVO+ Aqua ICL.

The EVO+ Aqua ICL features Collamer, a material designed for biocompatibility, and a central hole that helps the flow of aqueous fluid inside the eye.

For ICL surgery, it is important to consider the characteristics and safety of the lens, the doctors' surgical experience and the aftercare system as a whole, rather than comparing only the price.

We check in a comprehensive exam whether the EVO+ Aqua ICL is suitable for your eyes and then explain whether surgery is possible and the cost.

Neither is simply better; the suitable method depends on your eyes.

SMILE LASIK corrects vision by removing tissue inside the cornea, so corneal thickness and shape and the prescription must be considered.

ICL does not remove corneal tissue, so it can be considered even with high myopia or a relatively thin cornea, but there must be enough space inside the eye and enough corneal endothelial cells.

It is important to decide after comparing the suitability and risk factors of both procedures in a comprehensive exam.

Lenses used for lens implantation differ in manufacturer, material, lens design and correctable range.

Glaze and Eco IPCL are lenses based on hydrophilic acrylic material, featuring an aspheric optic design and a choice of various lens sizes and powers.

The EVO+ Aqua ICL uses Collamer, a patented material containing collagen, and features a material designed for biocompatibility and smooth aqueous flow through a tiny hole in the center of the lens. It is approved by the US FDA and is supported by clinical research and surgical experience accumulated over a long period.

BSM Eye Clinic uses only the EVO+ Aqua ICL, considering the lens material, biocompatibility and clinical safety data as a whole.

However, even a lens with good characteristics is not suitable for every eye, so the suitable lens is decided after a comprehensive exam confirms whether surgery is possible.

LASEK and ICL differ in where and how vision is corrected.

LASEK corrects the corneal surface with a laser after the epithelium is removed, so enough corneal thickness must remain after surgery.

ICL does not remove corneal tissue, but separate safety conditions such as the space inside the eye and the corneal endothelial cell count must be met.

The suitable procedure is chosen considering the cornea, the degree of myopia and astigmatism, recovery time and long-term care as a whole.

The lens used in ICL surgery is designed to stay in the eye for a long time and is not a consumable that must be replaced at regular intervals.

However, removal or replacement may be needed if a cataract develops with age or if there are changes in lens position, eye pressure or corneal endothelial cells.

It is therefore important to keep having regular eye exams after surgery even if you see well.

Yes, the implanted lens can be removed or replaced after surgery if the doctor judges it necessary.

This is considered when the lens size or position is not suitable, when a toric lens has rotated, when the condition of the eye changes or when cataract surgery is needed.

However, removal or replacement is also surgery inside the eye and carries its own risks, and the vision correction effect disappears when the lens is removed.

When choosing a clinic for ICL, it is more important to check the exam system, the doctors' surgical experience and the long-term aftercare system than the cost.

In particular, it is good to see whether the lens size and the space inside the eye are assessed accurately, and whether corneal endothelial cell tests and check-ups of eye pressure and lens position are done regularly.

BSM Eye Clinic recommends a method suited to your eyes through a comprehensive exam and a one-on-one consultation with the doctor.