ICL Surgery London: Implantable Contact Lens for High Prescriptions

If you have been told that your prescription is too high for LASIK or laser eye surgery, implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery may be the solution you have been looking for. The Visian ICL — also known as an implantable collamer lens or phakic IOL — is a thin, biocompatible lens that is placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens, to correct moderate to high refractive errors.

ICL surgery can correct myopia (short-sightedness) up to approximately -18.00 dioptres and hyperopia (long-sightedness) up to +10.00 dioptres, with or without astigmatism up to 6.00 dioptres. This range far exceeds what LASIK or PRK can safely treat, making ICL the gold standard for patients with high prescriptions who want freedom from glasses and contact lenses.

Unlike laser eye surgery, which permanently reshapes the cornea, ICL surgery is additive and reversible. The lens can be removed or exchanged if your prescription changes significantly in the future, or if you develop cataracts later in life. This reversibility is a significant advantage that appeals to younger patients in their 20s and 30s who may experience prescription changes over time.

The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes per eye and is performed under topical anaesthesia (eye drops). A micro-incision of approximately 2.8mm is made at the edge of the cornea, through which the folded ICL is inserted. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and is positioned behind the iris. No stitches are required, and the incision self-seals. Most patients notice dramatically improved vision within hours.

Clinical evidence strongly supports ICL outcomes. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Refractive Surgery reviewing over 4,000 eyes found that 99.4% of ICL patients achieved 20/40 vision or better, with 67% achieving 20/16 or better — surpassing normal 20/20 acuity. Patient satisfaction rates consistently exceed 98%, making ICL one of the highest-rated vision correction procedures available.

Who is a good candidate for ICL surgery? Ideal patients are typically aged 21 to 45 with a stable prescription (unchanged for at least 12 months), adequate anterior chamber depth (the space between the cornea and iris), and healthy eyes free from glaucoma, cataracts, or significant retinal disease. Patients with thin corneas who are unsuitable for LASIK are often excellent ICL candidates.

The latest generation EVO Visian ICL includes a central port (KS-Aquaport) that allows natural fluid circulation within the eye, eliminating the need for a peripheral iridotomy (a small hole in the iris that was required with earlier ICL designs). This advancement has simplified the procedure and improved patient comfort.

At K Vision Centre, Miss Tina Khanam has extensive experience with ICL implantation and personally performs every procedure. She conducts a detailed pre-operative assessment including anterior chamber depth measurement, endothelial cell count, and white-to-white corneal diameter measurement to ensure the ICL is precisely sized for your eye.

ICL surgery at K Vision Centre is available from £2,995 per eye, with toric ICL options for astigmatism correction from £3,700 per eye. Interest-free finance is available. Book a suitability consultation at our Harley Street, Spire Gatwick Park, or Spire St Anthony's clinic to find out if ICL is right for you.