ICL LENSES

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL CLINIC SPECIALISING IN ICL INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTS

REFRACTIVE SURGERY WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF ICL LENSES

It is a state-of-the-art technique that leads to immediate and excellent results.

The intervention is minimally invasive and consists of introducing a flexible intraocular lens between the iris and the lens (in front of the lens), by an incision of less than 3 mm, with topical anaesthesia (drops). It is painless, with an approximate duration of about 10 minutes for each eye. Does not require hospital admission.

Until now, the lenses used were rigid, this implied making a wider incision of 6-7 mm, with the subsequent need to suture 3 – 4 stitches, to close the incision. This required local or general anaesthesia, induced elevated astigmatism and delayed visual recovery. Now with ICL lenses it has changed, as we mentioned at the beginning.

A few years ago it was advised that this this technique should be used for patients who are not able to undergo excimer laser (LASIK) treatment.

Currently, we are implanting more and more phakic lenses, since they have certain advantages compared to to laser treatments, especially in high myopia. It improves the quality of vision and is a totally reversible process. These factors make this option more appealing to many patients.

Phakic lenses are available for both nearsighted and farsighted people, and with ICL lenses astigmatism can be corrected at the same time . The lens requires a minimum space inside the eye where it can be placed. This space called the anterior chamber (the space between the cornea and the crystalline lens) is, most of the time, larger in myopes than in hypermetropes. This is why most myopes can opt for this type of refractive surgery.

1. IN WHAT CASES IS THE INSTALLATION OF ICL LENSES ADVISED?

For young patients (between 21 and 40 years) with high myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, thin corneas, or poor vision despite optical correction. Better results will be achieved with the implantation of a flexible epicapsular lens to correct the refractive defect, than with the use of the LASIK technique.

INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Anyone over 21 years of age who has a high refractive error that has not changed significantly during the least year, be it myopia, hyperopia and / or astigmatism. Also those patients who for any reason are not suitable for the LASIK technique.

Patients wearing contact lenses should stop using them 7 days before the preoperative exploration if it is a soft contact lens and 10 days before if it is a rigid contact lens. Before surgery you only have to go 3 days without them.

People with significant eye diseases such as cataracts or uveitis will not be operated on. Pregnant women are not suitable for this surgery, because during pregnancy there may be changes in the prescription.

2. HOW IS THE ICL LENS IMPLANTED?

The ICL lens allows the implantation of an intraocular lens using the following steps.

The first step is to disinfect the operating area.
We prepare the surgical field and proceed to anesthesia of the area using topical drops. We do not require any other type of anesthesia in most of our surgeries.
The ICL is placed in an injector capable of passing the lens through a 2.8 mm incision.
A cannula with anesthetic solution is inserted into the anterior chamber.
Subsequently, a dense substance (hyaluronic acid) is introduced in order to maintain the anterior chamber in order to be able to manoeuvre with sufficient safety.
The injector is placed over the edge of the incision to inject the ICL into the inside of the eye.
With the aid of a manipulator, the ICL has just been placed in the desired position with the haptics behind the iris.
All possible remains are cleaned by means of an irrigation-suction cannula connected to the phacoemulsifier.
The incisions are self-sealing without the need for sutures.
Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are instilled.

3. WHAT ARE THE GENERAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER REFRACTIVE SURGERY?

After refractive surgery with the implant of intraocular lenses you must follow these instructions.

It is advisable to allow a few days to elapse between the intervention of one eye and another.

Recovery after surgery is fast. In most cases, the patient recovers within two days.

This type of lens, like the rest, does not degrade, the materials used are always biocompatible and, therefore, there is no reaction of the organism towards them.

INSTRUCTIONS AND CARE AFTER SURGERY TO IMPLANT ICL LENSES.

IN TERMS OF TREATMENT

Wash your hands carefully before putting in any eye drops.
If they work together, you can put two kinds of eye drops in at the same time. Just wait a minute in between inserting each one.
Once opened, do not use any eye drops for more than four weeks without buying a new bottle. Do not forget that some must be kept in a refrigerator (this is always indicated on the product packaging).

IN TERMS OF ACTIVITIES

You can go about your normal life and keep your eye uncovered.
It is important that you do not rub your eyes.
You can wash your head and face. Soft soaps used for babies are recommended. Be careful and make sure you dry yourself gently afterwards and avoid touching the eye.
Do not cover your eye, even if it is more comfortable for you. The risk of infection increases with a covered eye. Occasionally, your ophthalmologist may recommend that you use an occluder at night.
You can use sunglasses to go outside, especially during the first weeks after the operation. Not only will they serve to protect the eye, but they will avoid glare, which is common after the surgery.
Unless your ophthalmologist advises you differently, you can sleep in any position that you like. Although during the first five days it is advisable not to sleep on your stomach.
It is advisable not to use make up on your eyes for 1 month.