Extra lens implant
Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected by inserting an extra lens in front of your natural lens. With this procedure, you can see clearly again without glasses or contact lenses.
In this procedure, we implant an extra lens in your eye, without treating or removing your own lens. The new lens, known as an Implantable Contact Lens (ICL), or when your eye has a cylindrical divergence, a Toric Implantable Contact Lens (TICL), creates a sort of dome over your natural lens. The extra lenses are not visible to you or anyone else and are very well tolerated.
When are you eligible for an extra lens implant?
- Vision specifications
Nearsightedness (from -0.5 to -20 dioptres), farsightedness (from +0.5 to +10.0 dioptres) or astigmatism (from 0.5 to 6.0 dioptres) can be corrected with an extra lens implant.
The implant of an ICL or TICL offers an effective and safe alternative for patients who are not eligible for laser treatment, for example if the correction needed is too high or if the cornea is too thin or irregular.
- Age
To be eligible for the implant of an extra lens as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses, you must be between the ages of 18 and 55.
- Recent intake examination
The intake exam used as the basis for your treatment must not have been carried out more than six months before the actual procedure.
We’re happy to help!
Your vision, your comfort, your happiness: this is what we care about at Eyecenter. Our experienced team is ready to help you and answer all your questions.
Are you not sure if you are eligible for an extra lens implant? Then schedule a free, non-binding eye scan with our optometrist that will only take 30 minutes of your time.
Start your process towards a life without glasses today, and schedule an extensive pre-operative exam and an initial conversation to get to know you (+/- 2 hours), so that together we can determine the best solution for you.
- After your intake exam, the lenses will be custom-made for your eyes. When your eyes have a cylindrical divergence, we will opt for a toric lens.
- Three days before the procedure, you will need to apply some preparatory eye drops at home.
- When you arrive at our centre, we start with a few administrative tasks. Next, you will get some eye drops in order to dilate your pupil. This takes about 45 minutes, providing the ideal opportunity to relax with a book or a cool drink.
- Once your pupils are sufficiently dilated, we will accompany you to the operating room. There, your eyes will be anaesthetised with eye drops and carefully disinfected.
- While you lie back comfortably, we will insert the artificial lens via a small incision in your eye. After inserting the artificial lens, it will automatically take on the right shape.
- The procedure takes five minutes per eye and is nearly painless.
The price of an extra lens implant varies, depending on various individual factors. We consider it important to make a personal price calculation for each patient. For an overview of our fees, please go to the fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lens implants and how does a lens implant work?
A lens implant, or ICL, is an additional lens that we place between the iris and your own natural eye lens. Your own lens stays completely in place. Through an opening of just 2.2 mm, the folded lens is inserted into the eye, where it unfolds automatically. The body does not reject the lens, because the flexible material is recognised as the body’s own.
Is a lens implant possible with dry eyes and from what age can a lens implantation be performed?
Certainly. Precisely when laser eye surgery is not advisable, for example with dry eyes or a cornea that is too thin, a lens implant often offers an excellent solution. Your natural eye lens is fully preserved. The minimum age for this procedure is 18.
Is it better to choose laser eye surgery or a lens implantation?
That depends on the characteristics of your eyes. A lens implantation is considered when laser eye surgery is not possible, for example with a cornea that is too thin or with dry eyes. The advantage of an ICL is that your natural eye lens remains untouched. Which approach is right for you will become clear from an extensive preliminary examination of about two hours.
How much does a lens implantation cost and is the operation painful?
The procedure is completely painless and takes about ten minutes per eye under local anaesthesia with drops; no needles are involved. Any follow-up treatment in the first year is covered by the guarantee. Health insurance funds and hospitalisation insurance policies may reimburse the treatment partially or in full.
What should you avoid after a lens implantation and what is the recovery like?
One day after the procedure, your visual acuity has usually already recovered to 80%. Reading, watching TV and light work are possible right away. For at least three weeks, avoid rubbing your eyes, do not wear make-up and do not lift anything heavy. Swimming and sauna visits are also not allowed. Put contact sports on hold for a full month.