ICL Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery (EVO+)

This is an event for implantable lens surgery, which corrects your vision by placing a special lens inside the eye without reshaping the cornea. The right lens for your eyes is chosen from five types, including anterior chamber, posterior chamber and astigmatism (toric) lenses, and this event uses the EVO+ lens. Because you can only have this surgery if your detailed exam results show you're a good fit, the schedule is set up so you can go from exam to surgery in a single day.

Who it's for

• People who've been told SMILE, LASIK or LASEK would be difficult because of a high prescription or thin corneas
• People uneasy about the fact that reshaping the cornea can't be undone
• People with severe astigmatism who find glasses or contact lenses uncomfortable
• People with large pupils or worried about glare and halos at night
• People who were told elsewhere that lens implantation would be difficult but want to double-check with a detailed exam

How it works

1. Basic examThe clinic checks your vision and degree of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, the thickness and shape of your cornea, and the condition of your corneal endothelial cells, and looks for other eye conditions such as retinal or optic nerve problems, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
2. Detailed ultrasound examEveryone getting lens implantation has an ultrasound (UBM) exam. It shows, in 3D, the size and structure of the space behind the iris and any abnormalities such as cysts, which standard equipment can't see, and this is used to determine the lens size. Some eyes are found unsuitable for surgery through this exam, while others that were turned down elsewhere turn out to be suitable.
3. Lens selectionYou don't pick the lens yourself. Based on your exam results, the medical team recommends the lens type and size that fit you best. The wide range of lens types is there to give more options that match different eye structures.
4. SurgeryStandard anesthesia is numbing eye drops. A roughly 3mm incision is made in the cornea to insert the lens into the eye, and this incision heals on its own without stitches. The surgery is performed by hand by the medical team from start to finish.
5. Post-op monitoring with detailed examsThe quality of your vision after implantable lens surgery depends on aftercare, so your progress is checked with detailed diagnostic equipment.

What's included

• Lens implantation, both eyes
• Detailed pre-op exam

Prices include VAT and apply during the hospital's event period. If you need an astigmatism (toric) lens, the lens price will differ and is confirmed during your consultation based on your exam results. If the exam shows lens implantation isn't right for you, the clinic will consult with you on other vision correction options.

From surgery day to recovery

1. Before your trip to KoreaStop wearing contact lenses one week before surgery. You don't need to get tested beforehand in your home country; the hospital runs all the exams from scratch. No deposit is required.
2. Arrive before 2 p.m. on surgery dayIf you arrive before 2 p.m., your exam, consultation and surgery can all be done the same day. It takes about four hours from consultation to surgery, and all you need to bring is your passport. A Japanese interpreter accompanies you free of charge on surgery day.
3. Right after surgeryYour vision will be blurry after surgery, so you can't drive a car or ride a bike. Plan your transportation in advance. The inside of the eye isn't very sensitive, so the clinic says that if a well-fitted lens has been placed, you'll barely feel it's there.
4. Post-op checkupsCheckups in Korea aren't required. You can be seen at the hospital if you'd like, or get checked at an eye clinic after you return home. Separate checkups in Korea come with additional exam fees and interpreter fees.
5. Until your vision stabilizesHow long it takes for your vision to settle and when to schedule checkups will be explained during your consultation based on your eye condition.

Aftercare

• Your post-op progress is checked with detailed diagnostic equipment, and the specific checkup schedule is explained during your consultation.
• If a problem arises with the lens, it can simply be removed or replaced, which means your eye can be returned to its pre-op state. This is what sets it apart from surgeries that reshape the cornea.
• After you return home, you can get checkups at a local eye clinic.

Medical team and hospital

Head Director Dr. Moon Hyun-seung and Director Dr. Gu Myeon handle vision correction. With over 22 years of experience, the medical team performs a wide range of implantable lens surgeries, including anterior chamber, posterior chamber and astigmatism lenses, and their strength is using all five lens types to choose the right lens for each eye. The hospital says this helps keep its lens replacement rate low. It's on the 3rd floor of the building right in front of Gangnam Station Exit 11 and is closed on Wednesdays. A Japanese interpreter accompanies you free of charge on surgery day; for other languages, please ask when booking.

Side effects and precautions

• If the lens is too large, problems such as acute glaucoma can occur; if it's too small, an astigmatism lens can shift out of position and reduce your vision. To minimize these risks, the lens size is determined precisely with an ultrasound exam.
• If these problems occur, the lens may need to be replaced or removed.
• You may notice glare or halos at night. The EVO+ lens has a wider optic zone designed to reduce this.
• Placing a lens inside the eye is not a simple surgery. If the exam shows the surgery isn't right for you, it won't be recommended.
• Follow the post-op prescriptions and precautions as explained during your consultation.

FAQ