The ICL incision (the microscopic opening used to insert the lens) is only about 3 mm, so suturing is normally unnecessary. In the past, cataract incisions were large (5–10 mm) and required sutures, but today ~2.4 mm is mainstream, and sutureless procedures have become standard for eye surgeries such as glaucoma and vitrectomy.
The ICL incision（3 mm）
Although the ICL incision is only 3 mm, patients must be careful not to rub or forcefully impact the eye for about 1 month (especially the first week) until wound healing is complete. In extremely rare cases at our clinic (approx. 0.01% out of 40,000 ICL surgeries), patients suffered severe direct ocular trauma within 1 month post-op, causing wound dehiscence and iris prolapse, which required iris repositioning (all patients fully recovered their vision). For patients at higher risk of severe trauma or those prone to frequent eye rubbing due to atopic conditions, we can, upon request, place the incision slightly further back than the standard corneal margin or suture the incision. However, such reinforcement does not make the eye immune to all strong impacts, so early postoperative precautions remain necessary just as for any other patient. Additionally, suturing may result in more prominent redness and bleeding, and a foreign body sensation that lasts longer (up to 1 to 2 weeks) compared to non-sutured cases.
Suturing during ICL surgery involves only a slight additional step in the standard procedure, so no extra fees are charged. Please consult with the doctor or counselor during your visit if you prefer to have this option.