ICL surgery and Lasik surgery both help in spec removal. LASIK has been around for years. It was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Gholam A. Peyman with the aim to improve eyesight and in 1989, he was honoured with the first patent for this kind of procedure in the US. In 1995, Just 10 years later, a different type of corrective eye surgery procedure was developed known as “ICL”.
The ICL is an artificial lens, which is related in function to a contact lens. It is inserted in front of the eye’s natural lens, in the area behind the iris, so that it is invisible to external onlookers and the patient. The ICL system gets support from regulatory officials for the correction of moderate to severe myopia.LASIK needs the elimination of a portion of the cornea. ICL surgery is widely being used than Lasik surgery.
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LASIK surgery can be defined as a refractive surgery choice that is used worldwide to develop their vision. The surgery includes the use of a safe medical laser to reshape the cornea. By reshaping the cornea, the light that crosses through your eyes will be fully focused on the retina in the back of the eye.
ICL surgery is the artificial lenses used to improve the vision of the natural lens of the eye. The ICLs are inserted between the iris and the natural lens of the eye.
Now lets us understand what is the basis on which we can differentiate ICL vs LASIK.
Table for understanding a difference: ICL vs LASIK
| Basis of difference | ICL | LASIK |
| UV Protection | Yes | No |
| Removes corneal tissue | No | Yes |
| Biocompatible lens | Yes | No- They are laser-based |
| Reversal or removal | Yes | It can be removed |
| Days of recovery | 1-2 days | 2 weeks for flap healing |
| Suitable for thin corneas | Yes | Up to limits |
| Contributes to dry eyes | No | Yes, up to 20% |
| Clarity of vision | Better than LASIK | Not better than ICL |
The power of glasses needed for optimum vision may rarely vary after surgery also. In case this ICL is fully removable. Also, in case of the availability of new vision correction choices, ICL is entirely removable. It indicates that the doctor and the patient still preserve the option of a change in ICL power, even with a different surgical choice.
That is not possible with LASIK where the cornea is lastingly changed. It allows the treating eye surgeon to do changes adapting the change in technology with the growing demands of their patients. Hence, one of the major benefits of ICL is that even though it forever corrects vision, it can be eliminated or replaced if needed, using a very easy procedure.
The Collamer that is done to make the ICL, is a biocompatible product that guards the eye against the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun while permitting natural light to cross by the eye without any change. It is an added benefit of the procedure which decreases the possibilities of growing eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. Lasik surgery does not need any protection from UV radiation.
“Tear film dysfunction” is one of the most generally stated side effects of LASIK. Almost all patients report signs indicative of dry eyes after the surgery, and these symptoms variably continue for up to about 6 -12 months. Even though this is not a critical complication concerning vision, it can create symptoms like burning or scratchy feeling in the eyes, blurred vision and eye strain, and many more. ICL surgery does not have any signs of dry eyes before and after the surgery.
ICL will usually give more eminent quality and greater acuity vision than LASIK. It is also normally safer because of the least impact of the new lens compared to switching the cornea the amount that would be needed with LASIK.
So depending on your eyes, ICL may quite better than LASIK.
Both of the surgeries take 1-2 days of recovery but in the case of Lasik, it takes almost 2 weeks to recover properly due to flap healing.
The doctors advise restricting your activity, avoid swimming pools, or massive exercise that may create perspiration to drop into your eyes. You may observe some burning or gentle pain or grittiness in the eyes of the procedure. Still, the discomfort should not be critical. While you may find some blurred vision after surgery.
ICL gives better nighttime vision than LASIK with minor complaints of distortions of light, and extreme sensitivity to bright light.
The ICL surgery does not tamper with the balance of the cornea as no corneal flap is raised, nor is any corneal tissue eliminated as in LASIK. Because of the very tiny incision, about 3.5 mm, the procedure and recovery time is decreased dramatically. Therefore, most people can continue daily activities in just a few short days with a clearer vision.
The clear drawback of ICL is its more expensive cost, but as femtosecond laser is fast substituting regular LASIK, the variation in pricing is not very important. Given that the ICL allows an individual to gain freedom from glasses with a much greater quality of life.
LASIK is usually more reasonable than ICL surgery and is invasive to a limited extent as well. Still, ICL surgery is reversible whereas LASIK surgery is not. It should also be noted that ICL surgery may be a great option if you are not a good applicant for LASIK.
So to know a difference between both the surgeries i.e ICL vs LASIK- do visit our website Eyemantra. Our expert will guide about the Lasik Surgery and ICL surgery in detail. We also offer various services like Retina Surgery, Specs Removal, Lasik Surgery, Squint, Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma surgery, and much more.
You can call us at +91-8851044355. You can also mail at eyemantra1@gmail.com for booking appointments with us.
