Which is Best: LASIK or ICL?
October 28, 2021
When it comes to corrective vision procedures, there are many things to consider. Many of our patients at Clarity Laser Vision ask about their LASIK and ICL eye surgery options in Calgary. In this blog post, we break down the difference between these two corrective eye procedures to help you determine which is best for you.
LASIK vs. ICL Eye Surgery
LASIK is a popular vision correction procedure that is used to correct problems such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. If you experience these vision problems, you likely rely on contact lenses or glasses to help you see clearly. The goal of a procedure such as LASIK is to change the shape of your cornea to help the light focus more clearly on your retina, eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.
ICL, also known as vision implantable contact lens surgery, is another form of corrective eye surgery in Calgary. The biggest difference between ICL and LASIK is that ICL involves an eye surgeon near you placing a special contact lens inside your eye to correct the eye’s natural lens and provide better vision. This is the ideal procedure for those who are not good candidates for LASIK due to a high level of nearsightedness or for those who do not like the idea of permanently altering their corneal tissue. If your prescription changes over time, the ICL is replaceable.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for These Procedures?
LASIK and ICL eye surgery near you are typically considered good correction solutions for adults between the ages of 18 to 45. Children and teenagers’ vision changes often, so getting these procedures younger than 18 is premature. To be considered a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a prescription that has not significantly changed in the past year
- Have good eye and overall health
- Not be nursing or pregnant
- Not have chronic dry eyes
If you are not deemed a good candidate for LASIK, then you may want to consider ICL instead. Ideal candidates for ICL include:
- Individuals between the ages of 21 and 45
- Those with mild to severe nearsightedness
- Those with a stable prescription
How Does Each Procedure Work?
Both LASIK and ICL surgeries are done in one day and are outpatient procedures. The eyes are numbed with anesthetic drops, and in some cases, you may be given a sedative as well.
When you opt for LASIK, your surgeon will use a laser to create a thin flap in your corneal tissue to access and reshape the cornea. Most patients begin to see better immediately following LASIK surgery, but the best results are noticed within ten days of the procedure.
For ICL, your surgeon will create small incisions near your cornea to position the lens between the iris and your natural lens. Once the implanted lens is in position, the edges of the lens will be placed behind the iris to make it invisible in the eye. Those who opt for ICL surgery will notice results within 24 hours of their procedure.
Choosing Your Procedure
Deciding between LASIK and ICL surgery can be one of the most important decisions you make in your lifetime. Our team at Clarity Laser Vision is happy to provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for your vision. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to book a consultation today.