EVO ICL
Bennett Walton Vision offers free EVO ICL screenings. Call us now at 713-893-2020 to make your appointment, or you can contact us here.
EVO ICL is a wonderful way to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. EVO ICL a specialty lens made of extremely clear, low-reflectance, biocompatible material. It is placed between the colored iris and the natural lens behind the iris. The procedure takes just a few minutes, and typically, there are no stitches required. EVO ICL is a more advanced design of the original ICL, which was originally approved in 2005 by the FDA. The EVO ICL may be removed in the future, typically when it becomes time for cataract surgery due to the natural lens’s having become cloudy and becoming a cataract, which happens to everyone if we live long enough.
Dr. Walton sat down to discuss the EVO ICL in the video below.
How Does EVO ICL Work?
When people are nearsighted or have astigmatism, the underlying optical problem is that light does not come into focus on the retina. If an eye is a camera, then the retina is the film or sensor onto which the light needs to be focused. The EVO ICL changes the focus of light in the eye to put the focus more on the retina.
Can I Have EVO ICL, or Who is the Best Candidate for EVO ICL?
Candidates for EVO ICL are 21 to 45 years old, with a stable prescription and healthy eyes. There needs to be sufficient space in the eye for the EVO ICL to sit well. Beyond that, there are many measurements that help us make a wise decision about your surgical plan. Rest assured that Bennett Walton Vision provides many methods of vision correction, not just EVO ICL, so our true goal is to find the best way to help your eyes achieve their best vision in the safest way.
“I decided to get ICL surgery with Dr. Walton and everything went even better than expected. The surgery itself was stress and pain free. On top of this the recovery was just as easy. ”
SHAAN P.
Can I Have EVO ICL if I Have Astigmatism?
Yes, EVO ICL can correct both nearsightedness and astigmatism within certain ranges. Nearsighted people have always been dependent on glasses to see far away, but not up close. Astigmatism refers to the focal power of the eye being not like a soccer ball or a basketball – with the same curvature in every measurement direction – but instead more like an American football – with a tighter curvature in the “quarterback grip” direction, and with a flatter curvature in the vertical kicking direction. For another example, think of the difference between seeing your reflection in an equally round soup spoon, which gives a more balanced reflection as if there is no astigmatism, versus a normal spoon, which has an oval shape that warps the reflection of part of your face.
Does EVO ICL Work for Reading Glasses or Readers?
EVO ICL is designed to work with the natural lens in the eye that we are born with, which is behind the iris next to where the EVO ICL will be placed. Therefore, there are some natural lens changes as the natural lens matures, which is going to happen whether or not an EVO ICL is present.
When we are young, the natural lens is typically clear and flexible. EVO ICL, LASIK or PRK are excellent options for changing focal points of the eye, so they are generally the best options in people under 40. Dr. Walton will discuss the best one for your anatomy, prescription, eye health, lifestyle needs and other factors. Bennett Walton Vision is not a one-size-fits-all place.
In our 40s, the lens gradually becomes stiff in a natural progression called presbyopia, which means readers and/or bifocals for most people. For those who are nearsighted, they still need glasses to see far away, but they may take off their glasses and use their natural vision to see up close.LASIK, PRK, or EVO ICL can still bring things into focus in our 40s, but the natural lens’s stiffening increasingly limits the range from distance to near that each eye can achieve. As more range of vision is gradually lost, it might make sense to do a blended vision approach with one eye focused nearer than the other or to do a Custom Lens Replacement(CLR). CLR involves replacing the natural lens, which cannot flexibly change shape to see both near and far together, with a new lens. The type of optics in the new lens will depend on your eye health, visual goals, and anatomy. An extra benefit of a CLR is that you will not need cataract surgery in the future, since the natural lens is no longer present to continue its gradual natural clouding.
Why is EVO ICL More Expensive than LASIK?
The lens itself is a main reason, especially when combined with surgery center and anesthesia charges. Ultimately, EVO ICL and other vision correction ends up being less expensive than long-term contacts and glasses anyway for those who calculate the cost comparison. When you consider the (price per contact lens box) x (number of boxes used per year) x (number of years of contact lens use looking forward in your life), it’s no surprise that EVO ICL, despite its higher upfront cost, saves most people many thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Is EVO ICL Safer Than Contacts?
EVO ICL has a significantly lower rate of infection-related vision loss than contact lenses, and this is especially true for extended wear contact lenses like weekly and monthly lenses. Even daily disposable lenses, which are often the most expensive contact lens type, have a higher cumulative risk of sight-threatening infections than EVO ICL.
What Are EVO ICL Alternatives?
The most common alternatives to EVO ICL include LASIK and PRK, Custom Lens Replacement. When you come in for a free EVO ICL screening, we will certainly give you our full opinion regarding what may be best for your eyes. The personalized part of the experience is why we love what we do.
What Are EVO ICL Risks?
Even though EVO ICL works with the natural optics and fluid flow of the eye in a highly compatible way, there are still risks with any surgery or procedure. In general, any surgery location has tissue-specific risks, which would include infection, glaucoma, corneal damage, and early cataract formation. While these sound scary, the good news is that these risks are low.
If you have more questions, please just call or contact us here. Bennett Walton Vision offers free EVO ICL screenings. Call or text us now at 713-893-2020.
