What Is ICL?
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a vision-correction procedure that works differently from LASIK or SMILE. Instead of removing corneal tissue with a laser, the surgeon inserts a thin, flexible lens through a 2–3 mm incision and positions it between the iris and the eye's natural lens. The result is similar to wearing a high-definition contact lens — except it sits safely inside the eye.
At AMCARE Beijing, the lens used is produced by STAAR Surgical. It is made from Collamer, a biocompatible material that contains collagen and is designed to remain in the eye long-term without triggering inflammation.
Key Features of ICL
- Additive, not subtractive: No corneal tissue is removed, preserving the eye's natural structure.
- Reversible: The lens can be removed or exchanged if medically necessary.
- Central micro-hole design: Modern ICLs allow natural fluid flow inside the eye, reducing the need for an additional iridotomy procedure.
- Ultra-thin: The lens is about 50 microns thick — thinner than a human hair — yet carries a customized prescription.
Does ICL Surgery Hurt?
Most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure. ICL uses topical anesthesia — numbing eye drops applied before surgery — so there are no injections around the eye and you remain awake throughout.
The incision is only 2–3 mm and typically does not require stitches. You may notice:
- A brief sensation of pressure or fullness
- Mild scratchiness or foreign-body feeling for a few hours
- Slight light sensitivity the same day
Significant pain is uncommon. If you develop notable eye pain, increasing redness, or severe headache after surgery, contact your doctor promptly — these can be signs of pressure changes that need evaluation.
How Long Does Surgery Take? Can I Go Home the Same Day?
ICL is an outpatient procedure. The total time in the surgical suite — including preparation, sterilization, anesthesia drops, and the operation itself — is usually about 20 to 30 minutes. The actual lens placement in one eye typically takes 3 to 10 minutes.
At AMCARE Beijing, the two eyes are often treated on separate visits or separate days. After surgery, you rest in the clinic for 2 to 4 hours while the team checks your eye pressure and confirms the lens position. Once stable, most patients go home the same day. Many notice clearer vision by the next day, with daily activities generally comfortable within 1 to 3 days.
What About Halos and Glare at Night?
Seeing rings or halos around streetlights and headlights at night is one of the most common questions after ICL. It is usually temporary.
The cause is optical, not a surgical mistake. In dim light, the pupil widens. If it expands beyond the lens's optical zone, light bends at the edge of the lens and creates a halo effect. This is a normal physical response.
Typical Timeline
- 1–3 months: Halos and glare usually become noticeably fainter.
- 3–6 months: Symptoms typically stabilize as the brain adapts to the new optical system.
- After 6 months: Most patients report minimal or no night-vision disturbance.
People with larger-than-average pupils in dark conditions may notice halos longer, but they are usually mild and do not interfere with daily life. Early on, use extra caution when driving at night and avoid staring directly into bright headlights.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
ICL is especially useful for people who are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction, including those with thin corneas, high myopia, or dry-eye concerns. At AMCARE Beijing, candidacy is determined through a comprehensive eye examination.
General Requirements
- Age: Usually 18 to 50 years old. Stable prescription: Myopia or astigmatism change less than 50 degrees over the past two years.
- Refractive range: Myopia from 50 to 1,800 degrees; astigmatism up to 600 degrees.
- Anterior chamber depth: Generally 2.8 mm or deeper.
- Corneal endothelial cell count: Typically 2,000 cells/mm² or higher.
- No active eye disease: Cataract, glaucoma, or active uveitis usually rule out ICL until treated.
A thorough pre-operative workup — including corneal topography, endothelial cell analysis, axial length measurement, and anterior chamber depth assessment — is necessary before scheduling surgery.
Aftercare: Protecting Your New Vision
ICL recovery is usually rapid, but protecting the eye during the first few weeks helps ensure the best outcome.
First Week
Avoid rubbing or pressing the eye. Keep water, soap, and sweat out of the eye when washing your face or showering. Use prescribed eye drops exactly as directed.
First Month
Skip swimming, saunas, hot tubs, and strenuous contact sports. Light daily activity is fine, but do not expose the eye to dirty or dusty environments.
Follow-Up Schedule
Attend all scheduled visits. Your doctor will monitor eye pressure, lens position, and corneal health to catch any issues early.
Screen Use
Short breaks from screens reduce eye strain during the early healing period. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Regular follow-up is the key to long-term stability. Treating ICL as a one-time event rather than an ongoing eye-health relationship can lead to missed warning signs.
Take the First Step
ICL offers a reversible, tissue-sparing option for people who want freedom from glasses or contacts but may not be suited to laser correction. Success depends on accurate screening, realistic expectations, and disciplined aftercare.
"A well-chosen ICL procedure is not just about seeing clearly — it is about preserving the eye's natural anatomy while achieving excellent vision. Comprehensive screening and follow-up are as important as the surgery itself."
— Dr. Wang Yewei, Ophthalmology Center, AMCARE Beijing
Considering ICL? Contact AMCARE Beijing's international patient services to schedule a full eye evaluation and discuss whether implantable lens correction is right for you.