To restore vision once it has been impaired, it is necessary to undergo vision correction surgery. Vision correction surgery includes two main types: laser vision correction surgery, which reshapes the cornea using lasers, and ICL surgery (Implantable Collamer Lens), which inserts a lens into the eye to correct vision. Today, we will explore the differences between ICL surgery and laser vision correction surgery. We will also discuss the essential factors you must check before undergoing ICL surgery.
What is ICL Surgery?
The difference between laser vision correction surgery ICL surgery
The biggest difference between laser vision correction surgery and ICL surgery lies in the surgical method. Laser vision correction surgery adjusts the refractive index by reshaping the cornea, whereas ICL surgery involves inserting a lens into the eye to help focus light more clearly on the retina. Because of this, patients with severe myopia or thin corneas, who may find traditional laser vision correction surgery challenging, can still correct their vision through ICL surgery.
Another difference is in the reversibility after surgery. Once you undergo laser vision correction surgery, it becomes difficult to return to your previous state. However, if discomfort or side effects occur after lens implantation surgery, surgeons can remove the lens, allowing patients to return to their pre-surgery state.
3 Things to Check Before ICL Surgery
- Endothelial cell examination
Before ICL surgery, it is essential to conduct a corneal endothelial cell examination. The corneal endothelium is located on the innermost layer of the cornea. It maintains the curvature of the eye by being in contact with a liquid that absorbs and then expels absorbed water back outside. Each eye should have more than 2,000 corneal endothelial cells for the corneal endothelium to function properly.
If there are fewer than 2,000 corneal endothelial cells, they cannot perform their normal pumping function. When corneal endothelial cells absorb water, corneal edema occurs. If corneal edema is left untreated for a long time, the cornea eventually loses its transparency, becomes cloudy, and vision can be impaired.
- Check the intraocular space
ICL surgery can be broadly divided into two types depending on the direction of lens placement. Previously, anterior lens insertion, placing the lens in front of the iris, predominated. However, recently, surgeons primarily performed posterior lens insertion, placing the lens behind the iris.
Posterior ICL surgery does not affect the decrease in corneal endothelial cells. This is because the surgery is performed at a distance from them. Additionally, it offers the advantage of being imperceptible even upon close inspection, resulting in a natural appearance. To insert the lens inside the iris, we must ensure enough intraocular space.
- Confirm iris size
In the past, after ICL surgery, there were cases where intraocular pressure increased, leading to glaucoma or cataracts. Our eyes contain a liquid known as aqueous humor. This fluid helps maintain the shape of the eye and provides oxygen and nutrients to its tissues. If the aqueous humor does not flow properly due to lens insertion surgery, intraocular pressure can increase. Recently, researchers have been making holes in lenses beforehand to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor, thereby preventing increased intraocular pressure.
However, if the lens size is larger than the iris space, it may block the natural drainage holes in the iris, even if the lens itself has a drainage hole. This can result in increased intraocular pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm the iris size initially and select a lens of the appropriate size.
At B&VIIT, we recommend the appropriate lens size for patients’ irises using an AI program. Based on 500,000 domestic cases, our AI recommends the most suitable lens size and insertion position for Korean patients. Experience precise ICL surgery with an error rate in the 0% range, optimized for each individual’s eye conditions and sizes through the B&VIIT AI system!
For more details about the B&VIIT vision correction surgery, please visit our website! https://blog.english.bnviit.com/