Compare Corrective Eye Procedures
Choosing which eye correction procedure is right for you is an important decision. The table below shows you how ICL compares to the most common corrective eye procedures LASIK and PRK.
Vision Quality
| ICL | Lasik | PRK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp and Clear Vision | Yes¹ | Yes | Yes |
Patient Experience
| ICL | Lasik | PRK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-30 Minute Outpatient Procedure | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removes Corneal Tissue | No | Yes | Yes |
| Contributes to “Dry Eye” | No, does not induce dry eye syndrome² | Occasional, up to 20% can experience dry eye³ | Occasional⁴ |
Safety Features
| ICL | Lasik | PRK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable or Reversible | Yes, Removable | No, Not Reversible | No, Not Reversible |
| Flexibility for Future Procedures | Yes, removable | Limited if additional treatments involve the cornea | Limited if additional treatments involve the cornea |
| Treats thin corneas | Yes⁵ | Limited | Limited |
| UV Protection | Yes | No | No |
| Biocompatible Lens | Yes | NA; laser based | NA; laser based |
| Long Term History | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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- 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.
- 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.
- Shoja, MR. Besharati, MR. Dry eye after LASIK for myopia: Incidence and risk factors. European Journal of Ophthalmology. 2007; 17(1): pp. 1-6.
- 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.
- 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.