Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to all your questions about EVO ICL lens (EVO).

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The EVO ICL Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO) for nearsightedness and astigmatism is a refractive lens also known as a phakic IOL. “Phakic” meaning that the natural lens of the eye is in place, and “IOL” meaning intraocular lens, or a lens inside the eye. The EVO ICL is a posterior chamber implant that is introduced through a small incision in the eye and is placed behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), and in front of the natural crystalline lens in order to improve your nearsightedness and astigmatism.

EVO ICL lens surgery is intended to safely and effectively correct near-sightedness (-0.5 to -18.0 dioptres (D)), the reduction of near-sightedness in patients with up to -20 dioptres (D) of near-sightedness, treatment of astigmatism from +0.5D to +6D and and correction of farsightedness from 0.5 to 10.0D. It is indicated for patients who are at least 21 years of age.

In order to be sure that your surgeon will use an EVO ICL lens with the most adequate power for your eye, your near-sightedness should be stable for at least a year before undergoing eye surgery.

The EVO ICL represents an alternative to other refractive surgeries including laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), other laser vision correction procedures, incisional surgeries or other means to correct myopia such as contact lenses and eye glasses.

Patients who are pregnant and nursing and patients with a narrow angle in the front chamber of their eye, because in this case the space for the EVO ICL lens would be too small. The patient education booklet provides an additional list of conditions that should be taken into consideration when making a decision about the EVO ICL procedure.

The key benefit of EVO ICL surgery is the permanent correction or reduction of your nearsightedness and treatment of astigmatism allowing you to see clearly at long distances without eyeglasses or contact lenses or reduce your dependence upon them. In addition to the improvement of your uncorrected vision (vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses), your best corrected vision (best vision with contact lenses/eye glasses) may be improved.

Follow all of your eye care professional’s instructions before and after implantation of the EVO ICL lens. Take any prescribed medication and schedule all recommended follow-up visits with your eye care professional, usually on an annual basis after the healing of the EVO ICL surgery. Contact your eye care professional immediately if you should experience a problem.

The material is called Collamer® , a collagen co-polymer that contains a small amount of purified collagen which is proprietary to STAAR Surgical; the remainder is made of a similar material to that found in soft contact lenses. It is very biocompatible (does not cause a reaction inside the eye) and stable. It also contains an ultraviolet light filter.

Prior to being placed on the market, EVO ICL was subject to extensive research and development. Today, more than 3,000,000 lenses have been distributed worldwide. In a survey, over 99.4 percent of patients were satisfied with their implant. EVO ICL has a track record of excellent clinical outcomes. Additionally, the EVO ICL lens has been available internationally for over 10 years.

EVO ICL is intended to remain in place without maintenance. EVO ICL can be removed by your eye care professional if needed in the future. If your physician removes the EVO ICL lens, you will lose the benefit of your nearsightedness correction.

No. EVO ICL is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and others. Only your eye care practitioner will be able to tell that vision correction has taken place.

EVO ICL is not typically noticeable after it is implanted. It does not attach to any structures within the eye and does not move around once in place.

The EVO ICL surgery is performed on an outpatient basis which means that the patient has surgery and leaves the same day. The procedure itself usually takes 20-30 minutes or less. The patient will need someone to drive them home on surgery day. A light, topical or local anesthetic is administered. There is very little discomfort during or after surgery. Some eye drops or medication may be prescribed and a visit with your eye care professional is usually scheduled the day after surgery.

Important Safety Information

The EVO/EVO+ ICLs are indicated for patients who are 21 to 60 years of age and are available in spherical powers ranging from -3.0 D to -18.0 D for the correction/reduction of myopia with or without a cylinder power range from 1.0 D to 6.0 D. The hyperopic ICLs are indicated for patients who are 21 to 45 years of age and are available in powers ranging from +3.0 D to +10.0 D for the correction/reduction of hyperopia. In order to be sure that your surgeon will use an ICL with the most adequate power for your eye, your nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism should be stable for at least a year before undergoing eye surgery. ICL surgery may improve your vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. ICL surgery does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, even if you have never worn them before. ICL represents an alternative to other refractive surgeries including, laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), incisional surgeries, or other means to correct your vision such as contact lenses and eye glasses. Implantation of an ICL is a surgical procedure, and as such, carries potentially serious risks. The following represent potential complications/ adverse reactions reported in conjunction with refractive surgery in general: additional surgeries, cataract formation, loss of best corrected vision, raised pressure inside the eye, loss of cells on the innermost surface of the cornea, conjunctiva I irritation, acute corneal swelling, persistent corneal swelling, endophthalmitis (total eye infection), significant glare and/or halos around lights, hyphaema (blood in the eye), hypopyon (pus in the eye), eye infection, ICL dislocation, macular oedema, non-reactive pupil, pupillary block glaucoma, severe inflammation of the eye, iritis, uveitis, vitreous loss and corneal transplant. Before considering ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery.

References

References

1. Patient Survey, STAAR Surgical ICL Data Registry, 2018

2. Sanders D. Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable collamer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for Low Myopia. Cornea. 2006 Dec; 25(10):1139-46. Patient Survey, STAAR Surgical ICL Data Registry, 2018

3. Naves, J.S. Carracedo, G. Cacho-Babillo, I. Diadenosine Nucleotid Measurements as Dry-Eye Score in Patients After LASIK and ICL Surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012.

4. Shoja, MR. Besharati, MR. Dry eye after LASIK for myopia: Incidence and risk factors. European Journal of Ophthalmology. 2007; 17(1): pp. 1-6.

5a. Lee, Jae Bum et al. Comparison of tear secretion and tear film instability after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery , Volume 26 , Issue 9 , 1326 - 1331.

5b. Parkhurst, G. Psolka, M. Kezirian, G. Phakic intraocular lens implantantion in United States military warfighters: A retrospective analysis of early clinical outcomes of the Visian ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(7):473-481.

*American Refractive Surgery Council