ICL VS LASIK
Recently, the number of people undergoing vision restoration surgery has been increasing, with ICL (Implantable contact lens) and LASIK being the most common surgical methods. LASIK uses an excimer laser to change the curve of the cornea to restore vision. Since they are completely different surgical procedures, many people are wondering which surgery to undergo. In this article, we would like to make a comparative study of the different surgical methods and costs in order to answer such questions.
| ICL | LASIK | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical procedure |
A surgery in which an intraocular lens is inserted between the iris and the crystalline lens through an incision of 2.5mm in the cornea. Like cataract surgery, this is an intraocular surgery performed inside the eye. |
Firstly, a corneal flap is made by microkeratome (blade or FS laser). And after that, surgery to restore vision by irradiating the cornea with an excimer laser and changing the curve of the cornea. It will be surgery on the surface of the cornea. |
| Applicable range | The wide range of patients can be applicable for surgery because of no abrading | Corneal thickness and cornea shape are the decision factors, so it’s narrower than ICL |
| Surgical indication | Suitable for mild to strong myopia | For mild to moderate myopia |
| Surgical reversibility | Can be reversed by removing the lens. | The cornea is abraded and cannot be reversed. |
| Dealing with presbyopia | Presbyopia lenses are available to accommodate | Need a reading glasses |
| Quality of vision | High quality of vision because the cornea is not abraded. | The quality of vision will be decreasing because of increasing higher-order aberration. |
| Dry Eye | No | Occur |
| Myopic regression | No | Occur |
| Cost of Surgery (General market price) |
Varies from clinic to clinic as it is a private treatment (Cannot use Philhealth) (Around PHP200,000 for both eyes) |
Varies from clinic to clinic as it is a private treatment (Cannot use Philhealth) (Around 100,000 for both eyes) |
What is ICL (Implantable contact lens)
ICL is a vision correction surgery to improve myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia by inserting a lens into the eye.
There have been more than 600,000 cases worldwide and new intraocular lenses have been introduced.
The ICL lenses received a high evaluation in terms of safety. Since the ICL lenses have been launched in Japan and the number of facilities introducing them is increasing.
The myopic treatment market shares in Japan indicate that LASIK is 20-30% and ICL is 70-80% because ICL has better benefits.
We believe that the awareness of the ICL lenses will increase further in the future.
Features of ICL
- The quality of vision is high because there is little increase in irregular astigmatism due to the fact that the cornea is not abraded.
- Because the cornea is not abraded, the range of surgical indications is wide (unaffected by corneal thickness).
- Daily maintenance is not required because the lenses are inserted into the eye.
- In the event of an emergency, the lenses can be returned to their original state by removing them.
- Lenses for presbyopia are now available to accommodate a wide range of ages.
- Lenses can be inserted through a very small incision of 2.5mm.
- Lenses can be removed and surgery can be performed in the event of cataracts.
Indications for Surgery
ICL
ICL is a surgical procedure to improve vision by inserting an intraocular lens. It can be used for a wide range of patients, from those with mild myopia to those with strong myopia. The standard range of indications is -3.0D to -25.0D.
LASIK
LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses an excimer laser to change the curve of the cornea to improve vision. Therefore, if the cornea is not thick enough, the surgery cannot be performed. In addition, people with strong myopia or astigmatism may not be suitable for LASIK because a large amount of the cornea needs to be removed. LASIK is suitable for patients with mild to moderate myopia up to -7.0D.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons (ISRS) recommend that ICL is preferable for myopia of -7.0D or greater. As with ICL, surgery may not be performed on patients with other eye diseases or mental illness.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons (ISRS) recommend that ICL is preferable for myopia of -7.0D or greater. As with ICL, surgery may not be performed on patients with other eye diseases or mental illness.