Many people who have poor vision and rely on glasses or contact lenses in their daily lives also suffer from “dry eye.”
When your eyes feel dry, gritty, or blurry, wearing contact lenses can become highly uncomfortable.
If you are facing this issue, you should look into “ICL Surgery (Implantable Collamer Lens).” This article provides a detailed guide on how this surgery can not only correct your vision but also potentially reduce the burden of dry eye.
What is ICL Surgery?
ICL surgery is a method of correcting vision by inserting a thin, special lens inside the eye. This lens is made of “Collamer,” a highly biocompatible material designed to be gentle on the eye.
A major feature of ICL surgery is that it does not reshape or shave the cornea. This is a massive benefit for those who suffer from dry eye.
The Relationship Between Dry Eye and ICL Surgery
One of the primary causes of dry eye is the long-term wear of contact lenses and damage to the cornea.
ICL surgery is highly anticipated as a solution to these issues. Below is an explanation of how ICL surgery can reduce the burden of dry eye.
- 1.Eliminating the Need for Contact Lenses
It is well known that using contact lenses for extended periods makes the eyes prone to dryness.
In particular, soft contact lenses tend to absorb tears, and the longer they are worn, the worse dry eye symptoms can become. Furthermore, the foreign body sensation and friction from contact lenses can put a strain on the surface of the eye.
After undergoing ICL surgery, there is no longer a need to use contact lenses in daily life, which can reduce damage caused by dryness and friction.
Those whose dry eye was worsened by contacts can expect significant improvement.
- 2.No Corneal Shaving Means Less Strain on the Eye
LASIK surgery requires shaving the cornea to correct vision.
However, because the cornea contains many nerves that stimulate tear secretion, shaving it temporarily reduces tear volume, risking the worsening of dry eye.
On the other hand, ICL surgery does not require shaving the cornea, meaning it has minimal impact on tear secretion.
In addition, ICL surgery only requires a small incision of about 3 mm in the cornea, resulting in less post-operative dryness or discomfort, making it easier to maintain a comfortable condition.
- 3.Low Risk of Post-Operative Dry Eye
Because ICL surgery simply involves inserting a lens inside the eye, the risk of worsening dry eye after the procedure is considered extremely low.
Even if the eyes feel dry after surgery, it can almost always be remedied by using hydrating eye drops. Furthermore, recovery is relatively fast, causing minimal disruption to daily life.
Real Feedback on Dry Eye Relief via ICL Surgery
Many patients who have actually undergone ICL surgery share feedback such as
- ・”Since I stopped wearing contact lenses, the frequency of feeling dryness in my eyes has decreased.”
- ・”Unlike LASIK, my eyes did not feel dry even after the surgery.”
- ・”The gritty feeling in my eyes is gone, and I can now live comfortably.”
These testimonials demonstrate that ICL surgery is highly effective in alleviating dry eye.
What to Check Before Undergoing Surgery
If you have dry eye and are considering ICL surgery, there are a few important points to note:
- 1.Consult Your Doctor About Your Dry Eye Symptoms
Before undergoing ICL surgery, discuss your dry eye symptoms with your doctor in detail.
If the symptoms are mild, you can usually proceed with the surgery without any issues. However, for moderate to severe dry eye, it is recommended to undergo the following treatments prior to surgery to improve the condition of your eyes
- ・Use of artificial tears or hydrating eye drops
- ・Insertion of punctal plugs (a treatment that blocks the tear drainage ducts)
- ・Lifestyle adjustments (reducing screen time, using a humidifier, etc.)
- 2.Commit Thoroughly to Post-Operative Care
After ICL surgery, caring for your eyes to keep them moisturized is vital. Please practice the following measures:
- ・Use Hydrating Eye Drops
Correctly use the eye drops prescribed by your doctor after surgery.
- ・Limit Digital Device Use
It is crucial to rest your eyes by refraining from heavy smartphone and computer use.
- ・Protect Against UV Rays
Your eyes will be sensitive to UV rays after surgery, so please wear sunglasses when going outside.
Who is a Good Candidate for ICL Surgery?
If any of the following apply to you, undergoing ICL surgery may reduce your dry eye and help you achieve a more comfortable lifestyle:
- ・People who find glasses or contact lenses bothersome.
- ・People whose dry eye has worsened due to wearing contact lenses for long hours.
- ・People who feel anxious about LASIK surgery (especially regarding the risk of worsening dry eye).
- ・People struggling with vision correction due to severe myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism.
Summary
ICL surgery is a revolutionary treatment that not only corrects vision but also has the potential to alleviate dry eye. By preventing the eye dryness caused by contact lenses and by not shaving the cornea, it minimizes the risk of worsening dry eye symptoms.
Even if you have given up on vision correction in the past due to dry eye, ICL surgery is well worth considering. However, suitability varies depending on the individual condition of your eyes. Your first step should be to consult a trusted ophthalmologist to find the treatment plan that is right for you.
For those who want to solve both vision problems and dry eye to enjoy crystal-clear vision, ICL surgery is highly recommended!
Our clinic hosts Free Information Sessions every month. This is a great opportunity to clear up any anxieties or questions before taking the suitability test. Please feel free to book your spot!