Why ICLs Are on the Rise

For many people considering vision correction, LASIK is the first procedure that comes to mind. But it is not the only way to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Implantable collamer lenses, commonly called ICLs, offer a different approach by placing a corrective lens inside the eye while leaving the natural lens and corneal tissue in place.

That difference can make ICL an appealing option for people with higher prescriptions, thinner corneas, or other factors that may make laser vision correction less suitable. So, what is an ICL, how long does it last, and why are more patients considering it?

 

How ICL Vision Correction Works 

ICL vision correction takes a different approach from laser procedures such as LASIK or PRK. Instead of reshaping the cornea, a thin, flexible collamer lens is placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens.

Once in position, the lens helps focus light more accurately onto the retina to improve vision while leaving the corneal tissue intact. ICLs are commonly used to correct nearsightedness, also called myopia, and toric ICLs can also correct nearsightedness with astigmatism.

Because the correction comes from a lens placed inside the eye rather than from reshaping the cornea, ICL can provide another vision correction option for patients whose prescription, corneal thickness, or other eye measurements may make laser vision correction less suitable.

Why Are More People Considering ICLs?

Vision correction has never been one-size-fits-all. Your prescription, corneal thickness, eye health, age, lifestyle, and personal goals all help determine which procedure may be appropriate for you.

ICLs expand those options, particularly for patients who may have thought their prescription was too strong for vision correction surgery.

No Corneal Tissue Is Removed

One of the main benefits of ICL surgery is that it preserves corneal tissue. With LASIK, a laser reshapes the cornea to change how light enters the eye. ICL works differently because the corrective power comes from the lens implanted inside the eye, so the cornea does not need to be reshaped.

This can be especially important for people whose corneal thickness, prescription, or other measurements make laser vision correction less appropriate. It also gives your surgeon another option when building a vision correction plan around the individual anatomy of your eyes.

ICLs Can Correct Very High Prescriptions

If you have worn strong glasses or contact lenses for years, you may have wondered whether vision correction surgery is even an option. For some patients, it is.

ICLs can correct moderate to high levels of nearsightedness, including prescriptions that may be beyond what a surgeon considers appropriate for LASIK or PRK. Your prescription alone does not determine whether you are a candidate, though. A comprehensive evaluation is needed to look at your entire eye and determine which procedure offers the right balance of safety and visual quality.

The Lens Can Be Removed or Exchanged

LASIK permanently changes the shape of the cornea, while an ICL does not. The lens is intended to stay inside the eye long term, but it can be surgically removed in the future if medically necessary. It may also be exchanged for another lens when appropriate.

That does not mean the procedure should be considered temporary. Removing or exchanging an ICL requires another eye procedure. But for some patients, knowing that the corrective lens itself can be removed is an important distinction from corneal laser surgery.

ICLs Can Offer Excellent Visual Quality for Strong Prescriptions

For someone with a high prescription, seeing clearly is only part of the goal. The quality of that vision matters, too. ICLs can provide excellent visual quality for appropriate patients with stronger prescriptions, including strong visual performance in different lighting conditions.

As with any vision correction procedure, every patient’s experience is different. ICL surgery can also cause glare, halos, or starbursts, particularly in certain lighting conditions. Your surgeon will evaluate your eyes and discuss what you may realistically expect from your vision after surgery.

The goal is clear, comfortable vision that fits how you live.

ICL vs. LASIK: A Few Key Differences

Both ICL and LASIK can reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses, but certain differences may make one a better fit for your eyes. 

Range of Prescription Correction

ICLs can treat higher levels of nearsightedness, making them an option for some patients whose prescriptions may be outside the recommended range for LASIK. The range LASIK can safely correct depends on several factors, including your prescription and corneal measurements.

Dry Eye Considerations

Dry eye symptoms can develop or temporarily worsen after LASIK. Because ICL surgery does not reshape the cornea, it may be an option to consider for some patients with certain dry eye concerns. Your eye doctor can evaluate your ocular surface and determine which approach may be more appropriate for you.

Built-In UV Protection

The collamer material used in ICLs contains a UV-absorbing component. This feature does not replace the need for sunglasses or other UV protection outdoors.

Different Approaches, Same Goal

LASIK and ICL take different approaches to vision correction, and neither is automatically the better choice.

Your prescription, corneal health, eye anatomy, lifestyle, and vision goals all play a role in deciding which procedure may be right for you.

I think this version is stronger because it actually answers “What makes ICL different?” rather than repeating information the reader already learned earlier in the blog.

Could I Be a Candidate for ICL?

You may want to ask about ICL if you:

• Have moderate to high nearsightedness
• Have nearsightedness with astigmatism
• Have a prescription that may be too strong for laser vision correction
• Have thinner corneas
• Want to explore a procedure that does not remove corneal tissue
• Want to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses

These are starting points, not a checklist that determines candidacy. Your surgeon will evaluate your prescription and its stability, corneal health, eye anatomy, and overall eye health before recommending ICL surgery.

Sometimes the procedure you expected to be right for you is not the one your measurements point toward. That is exactly why the evaluation matters.

Finding the Right Vision Correction Option for Your Eyes

You do not need to decide between ICL, LASIK, or another vision correction procedure before you walk through the door. At Vance Thompson Vision, the first step is understanding your eyes.

A comprehensive vision correction evaluation gives your care team the information needed to recommend an option based on your prescription, anatomy, eye health, and goals. For some patients, that may be LASIK. For others, ICL may provide an option they did not realize was available. 

The goal is finding a path toward clearer vision that makes sense for you.

Ready to Learn More About ICL?

If glasses or contact lenses have been part of your routine for years, it may be worth finding out what your options look like today.

Not sure where to start? Take our Vision Quiz to explore which vision correction options may fit your needs.

When you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a consultation online. Our team can take a closer look at your eyes and help determine whether ICL, LASIK, or another procedure may be right for you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About ICLs 

How long do ICLs last?

ICLs are designed to provide long-term vision correction and may remain in place for a lifetime. The lens does not have a routine expiration date or need to be replaced every few years. Regular eye exams are still recommended to monitor your vision and overall eye health.

What are the benefits of ICLs compared to LASIK?

ICLs offer several benefits for the right patient. They do not require the removal of corneal tissue and can be an excellent option for people with very high prescriptions. ICLs can also be removed or exchanged if needed, and some patients with stronger prescriptions may experience excellent visual quality, including better vision in lower-light or nighttime conditions.

What is an ICL?

An implantable collamer lens, or ICL, is a thin, flexible lens implanted inside the eye to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, also called myopia, astigmatism, and sometimes farsightedness. Unlike LASIK or PRK, ICL surgery does not remove or reshape corneal tissue.

Can an ICL be removed or exchanged later?

Yes. An ICL is intended to remain inside the eye long term, but the lens can be surgically removed if medically necessary. It may also be exchanged for another lens when appropriate.

Removing or exchanging the lens requires another eye procedure, but the ability to remove the corrective lens is an important distinction from procedures that permanently reshape the cornea.

Do I still need regular eye exams after ICL surgery?

Yes. Regular comprehensive eye exams remain an important part of protecting your vision after ICL surgery. Your eye doctor can monitor your prescription, eye pressure, cornea, natural lens, retina, and the overall health of your eyes.

Who may be a good candidate for ICL?

ICL may be worth considering if you have moderate to high nearsightedness, astigmatism, a prescription that may be too strong for laser vision correction, or corneal measurements that make LASIK less appropriate.

A comprehensive eye evaluation is needed to determine whether ICL is a good fit for your prescription, eye anatomy, and overall eye health.

Is ICL better than LASIK?

Neither procedure is automatically better. LASIK and ICL correct vision in different ways, and the right option depends on your prescription, corneal health, eye anatomy, lifestyle, and vision goals.

A comprehensive vision correction evaluation can help determine which approach is better suited to your eyes.

Medically Reviewed by:
John Berdahl, MD · Ophthalmologist 
Board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in LASIK, cataract surgery, cornea, and glaucoma.
Last reviewed August 20, 2026

from Vance Thompson Vision Blog https://www.vancethompsonvision.com/blog/why-icls-are-on-the-rise
via Vance Thompson Vision