What Are the Problems One Can Face After ICL Surgery?

May 27, 2021

Implantable contact lenses (ICL) are alternatives to traditional contact lenses. Unlike traditional contact lenses, ICLs are surgically implanted into the eyes. They are placed between the iris and natural lens. If there are many changes in your vision, ICLs can also be removed. When undergoing any eye correction surgery, it is important that you fully understand the procedure you are choosing. Clarity Laser Vision has put together this article so that you can make an informed decision about your eye care.

Potential Complications from ICL Surgery

When you get ICL surgery in Calgary, you are choosing a procedure that has some clear safety benefits over other procedures. It is removable, unlike other corrective procedures. It also doesn’t cause side effects such as dry eye and offers better night vision than PRK or LASIK. However, all surgical procedures come with some risks. When an experienced eye doctor near you performs ICL, these risks are minimal.

Here are some potential complications that you should be aware of before deciding to proceed with ICL surgery near you:

#1 Overcorrection

Overcorrection indicates that your nearsightedness was corrected too much, causing you to become farsighted. Farsightedness can make it challenging to see things up close clearly. Overcorrections can be fixed with an enhancement procedure such as LASIK.

#2 Undercorrection

This means that ICL did not completely correct your nearsightedness, and you still have some vision problems. A small undercorrection won’t seriously affect your sight and is still desirable for patients over the age of forty. If the undercorrection causes a large amount of blurring in your vision, your eye doctor in Calgary will suggest an enhancement procedure.

#3 Increased Eye Pressure

A rare complication of ICL is a sudden rise in eye pressure. This can occur during the first week after the procedure when fluid cannot move freely from the back of the eye to the front. If this occurs, you feel intense pain in your eyeball and the area around your eye, similar to the feeling of a sinus headache. It is not uncommon to also experience nausea when this happens. If you notice either of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

#4 Presbyopia

Loss of vision is a normal part of the aging process. This process is known as presbyopia. This occurs sooner with ICL. Typically, people with near-perfect vision require reading glasses around the age of forty-five. If you undergo corrective vision surgery, you are more likely to need reading glasses around the age of forty-two.

#5 Cataracts

Cataracts are also a natural part of aging, and most people get cataracts at some point in their life. Individuals who are extremely nearsighted, typically those who are candidates for ICL surgery, often get cataracts earlier in life, around the age of sixty or seventy. Cataracts are easily treated with surgery, where the hazy natural lens of your eye is removed and replaced with a clear synthetic lens.

Speak to a Professional at Clarity Laser Vision

Corrective eye surgery such as ICL is extremely useful and greatly enhances an individual’s quality of life. If you are interested in ICL surgery and would like to know more about the procedure and its benefits and risks, speak to an experienced professional at Clarity Laser Vision. Our team is happy to provide you with all the information you need to feel confident and comfortable going ahead with your chosen procedure. Please contact us to book a consultation today!