Find Out If You're a Candidate for Implantable Contact Lenses

Implantable contact lenses (ICLs) offer an alternative for people who are poor candidates for LASIK. ICL surgery can help patients with poor eyesight benefit from a permanent vision correction treatment. 

During the procedure, eye surgeons insert artificial lenses into the eyes. Implanted lenses can improve eyesight without the need for glasses or contact lenses. You can find out if you are a candidate for implantable contact lenses. 

Vision Correction Treatment

If you suffer from poor vision, you can get treatment to correct the condition. Options for treatment include glasses, contact lenses, corrective surgery, and ICL surgery. Your eye doctor at Atlanta Eye Group will recommend the best treatment for you, depending on the severity of your condition and your eye health. If you want a permanent solution but do not qualify for LASIK, you can get ICLs. 

Types of ICL Surgery 

There are two types of ICL surgery: intraocular lens and ICL soft lens. In both procedures, the patient's natural lens remains in place. 

During ICL soft lens, the surgeon makes an incision on the sclera before placing the lens behind the iris. The intraocular lens procedure involves placing the lens between the eye cornea and iris. Tiny stitches close the incision, keeping the lens in position and allowing the eyes to focus better. 

Candidates for ICLs

To be a good candidate for implantable contact lens treatment, you need to be an adult aged between 18 and 50. For older individuals, other vision correction treatments may be preferable. Good candidates are people with a stable prescription for focusing error for one year or longer. 

To get ICLs, you should have a focusing error higher than -8 diopters. You should be in good general health, with relatively healthy eyes. You should have enough space in your eye to insert the lens safely. Consult your eye doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for ICLs. 

Risks Associated With ICL 

Like all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with ICL surgery. They include vision loss, changes in vision, the need for additional surgery, eye pressure, infection, and a detached retina. 

The results of ICL treatment are not guaranteed, and you may not be able to achieve your perfect vision. The lens may be too weak or too strong for your needs. You can talk to the eye doctor about the procedure's pros and cons before getting the treatment. 

Is ICL Treatment Permanent?

Although implantable contact lens surgery is permanent, it is reversible by removing the lenses when necessary. Removing the lenses will require additional surgery. If you decide to get surgery to remove the lenses, your vision may be worse than before the treatment. The eyesight will need further correction over time. 

The decision to get ICLs should be based on an accurate assessment of the pros and cons of the procedure. You should get all the information about the treatment, and you should have realistic expectations of the outcome. Patients with dry eyes can benefit from the treatment. A comprehensive eye examination will help determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. 

To find out if you are a candidate for implantable contact lenses, visit Atlanta Eye Group at our offices in Alpharetta, Kennesaw, or Atlanta, Georgia. Call (772) 272-9470 today to schedule an appointment.