What Is EVO ICL™? What Are the Benefits Of This Vision Correction Surgery?

This Alternative to Laser Eye Surgery May Be Your Solution

If you’ve been considering getting rid of your glasses or contacts, you have options. Excellent vision correction procedures are at your disposal, depending on your vision needs. For many, that means learning more about EVO ICL™.

The EVO Implantable Collamer Lens™ is a new lens developed by STAAR Surgical for vision correction. EVO ICL™ is a flexible lens that is implanted between your iris – the colored part of your eye – and your natural lens. It is used to help you see without glasses or contacts, and is recommended for people with nearsightedness and astigmatism.

What Is an EVO ICL™ Procedure Like?

EVO ICL™ begins with an Advanced Ocular Analysis, which is a pre-procedure consultation. Your refractive surgeon at your chosen office for laser vision correction near you will use diagnostic technology to determine whether EVO ICL™ is right for you.

If you are a good candidate for it, you can schedule your surgery and receive preoperative instructions at this time.

On the day of your procedure, you can expect the following:

• You will be given numbing eye drops and an oral medication to make your experience comfortable.
• The surgeon makes a small incision in the cornea using a precise laser and implants the EVO ICL™ lens to ensure vision correction.
• EVO ICL™ is a self-healing procedure, so you won’t need bandages or stitches.
• After your procedure, a family member or friend must drive you home. Most patients feel “back to normal” with improved vision about 24 hours after their surgery.

After your procedure, your provider will request follow-up appointments, including one the following day, to check on the results of your procedure. You may also be prescribed eye drops to reduce inflammation or prevent infection, a rare side effect.

What Are the Key Benefits of EVO ICL™?

Much like other laser vision correction procedures, EVO ICL™ is minimally invasive and allows you to see without glasses or contacts. You’ll notice several benefits right away:

• Savings on the cost of contact lenses, solution, and eyeglasses over a lifetime.
• The opportunity to participate in recreational activities, such as swimming, without worry about your contact lenses.
• No more morning and bedtime contacts routine.
• No more discomfort, irritation, or pain from contact lenses.
• No more contacts-related allergy symptoms or infections.

EVO ICL™ is also a sought-after laser eye surgery due to the convenience and comfort of the procedure itself:

• This procedure can meet the needs of a wide range of patients, ages 21 to 45.
• Expect a 20-to-30-minute procedure and a fast recovery time.
• EVO ICL™ lenses are biocompatible, meaning that the procedure uses a natural material (collamer), which works in tandem with your eye, limiting the potential for an adverse reaction.
• Although EVO ICL™ is intended to be a permanent solution, the lenses can be removed if necessary.

Why Is EVO ICL™ Recommended For Some Patients Over Other Vision Correction Surgeries, Like LASIK?

EVO ICL™ is also an alternative to LASIK for many patients. The number one reason providers recommend this procedure over LASIK is for nearsightedness. Capable of correcting up to -15 diopters of nearsightedness and reducing nearsightedness by up to -20 diopters, EVO ICL™ boasts better outcomes when compared with LASIK.

LASIK is also not recommended for those with thin corneas. Performing LASIK on a thin cornea is not recommended, as there needs to be enough material to reform this tissue during corrective eye surgery.

LASIK is also not recommended if:

• You have scarring due to contact lenses.
• You have had prior eye surgery.
• Your profession or recreational interests (such as heavy-contact sports) make injury to the eyes more likely.

During your pre-operative consultation, your refractive surgeon will recommend alternatives to LASIK, including EVO ICL™ and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) also known as advanced surface ablation (ASA).

Both EVO ICL™ and ASA have allowed many patients to achieve a vision solution that doesn’t require glasses or contacts, when LASIK was not recommended.

Where to Find a Leading Vision Correction Surgery Office for EVO ICL™

First, make a determination about whether state-of-the-art EVO ICL is your best choice. The next step is finding an excellent provider of laser eye surgery that offers this procedure, so you can discover vision without glasses or contacts.

Consider the following checklist as you begin exploring offices for laser vision correction near you:

• They provide EVO ICL™ and a range of laser eye surgery options.
• This office offers special financing options and other discounts to make your procedure more affordable.
• The provider offers educational resources to keep patients informed about their services, such as on their website.
• Their doctors have a significant depth of experience providing laser vision procedures.

If you vet a laser vision provider for these four items, you’ve likely found a destination for a transformative EVO ICL™ procedure. We live in a world where you don’t have to limit your life with glasses or contacts. EVO ICL™ may be the solution you need to experience a better quality of life and a new point of view.