“I came to the clinic hoping for ICL but found out I was not a candidate.”

This is by no means an uncommon scenario. At our clinic, about 10% of patients who
consult for ICL are found to be unsuitable for the procedure each month.

To ensure a safe ICL procedure, several strict eligibility criteria must be met.
Among the 10% of patients who do not qualify, the most frequent reason is insufficient
anterior chamber depth.
Anterior chamber depth (ACD) refers to the internal space within the eye where the ICL
lens is to be placed.

Standard ICL guidelines recommend an ACD of 2.8 mm or more, and most clinics will determine that ICL is not feasible if the depth is under 2.8 mm.
At our clinic, we carefully evaluate patients with an ACD between 2.6 mm and 2.8 mm, and, in some cases, they may still be eligible for the surgery.

The reason why we are so cautious, it‘s for your safety
When the internal space is tight, selecting the correct ICL size becomes highlychallenging:
If the lens is too large, it can trigger an acute glaucoma attack or lead to a decrease in corneal endothelial cells.
If the lens is too small, it may lead to the development of cataracts.
While these risks can occur regardless of the available space, a narrow anterior chamber significantly heightens these risks.

For patients with an ACD under 2.6 mm, or those between 2.6 mm and 2.8 mm where ICL is deemed too risky, we may recommend LASIK.
LASIK is a procedure that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea with a laser.
Although it depends on corneal thickness and the degree of myopia, it is often a viable option for patients who do not meet the anterior chamber depth criteria for ICL.

Depending on your age and the degree of presbyopia, we may recommend IPCL, EVOviva, or cataract surgery instead.

In some cases, we may advise against undergoing any refractive surgery if we believe it is not in the best interest of your eyes.

Based on comprehensive test results, we will propose the safest and most effective method tailored specifically to you.
We invite you to book your initial suitability exam with us to take the first step.