EVO ICL Vision Correction
in Meridian, Idaho
What is EVO ICL?
EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a fantastic option for vision correction, offering unique advantages over other refractive surgeries. The EVO ICL surgery is a type of phakic intraocular lens that has been developed from technology used for decades, but it represents a significant leap forward in safety and accessibility, making it an excellent choice for a wider range of people.
Unlike procedures like LASIK, SMILE, or PRK, which reshape the cornea to improve vision, EVO ICL works by implanting a permanent contact lens behind your cornea. The lens is clear and undetectable to anyone except a trained professional, made from a biocompatible material that is in harmony with your natural eye. The cornea itself remains untouched except for a small incision.
One of the features that attracts many people to EVO ICL is its reversibility. While most patients love the clear vision it provides and never want to remove it, the option to replace or adjust the lens in the future gives added peace of mind.
This flexibility, combined with excellent visual outcomes, makes EVO ICL a preferred choice for those seeking long-term, clear, and beautiful vision without permanent changes to their eyes.
Am I a Candidate for EVO ICL?
Like LASIK, EVO ICL is ideal for adults with stable vision, good overall health, and healthy eyes. EVO ICL may be the best option for you if you have high levels of myopia (nearsightedness), very dry eyes, or thin corneas. Since EVO ICL involves placing an implant inside your eye, it’s important that your eye has enough space to accommodate the lens.
EVO ICL effectively treats both nearsightedness and astigmatism. Even if you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK, you may still be eligible for EVO ICL.
At Merkley Cataract and Laser, we begin with a complimentary screening evaluation in our state-of-the-art imaging suite. This comprehensive analysis allows us to carefully assess your eyes’ unique anatomy and optical properties to determine if EVO ICL is the right fit for you. If it’s not, we’ll explore other options such as LASIK, SMILE, PRK, or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), ensuring we find the procedure that best suits your vision needs.
What to Expect on the Day of Your EVO ICL Procedure
Your EVO ICL procedure will take place in an ambulatory surgery center, where we focus on your comfort and care from the moment you arrive. You can wear your normal clothes, but it’s important to bring someone with you to drive you home after the procedure.
The procedure itself is quick—the lens implantation takes only about 5 minutes per eye. Including prep and recovery time, you may be finished within an hour. Most patients receive an IV so that an anesthetist can administer relaxing medications. Once you’re in the surgery suite, we’ll apply numbing drops to your eyes to ensure you won’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.
Dr. Merkley will make a small incision in your cornea and gently insert the EVO ICL lens, positioning it behind your iris and in front of your natural lens. The cornea remains mostly untouched, and the small incision heals naturally without the need for stitches. Afterward, you’ll spend a short time in recovery while we monitor your eye, and then you’ll be able to go home.
You may experience mild discomfort or light sensitivity as the numbing and dilation drops wear off, but most patients feel comfortable the same day. You’ll need to use medicated eye drops for about a week to aid healing and prevent infection. Many patients are back to their usual routine within a day, enjoying clearer vision even while on the operating table. We’ll be with you throughout the process, ensuring a smooth and successful recovery, answering any questions, and providing support along the way.