“If I’m going to have ICL surgery, I want to see as clearly and as far as possible!”

It is natural to want the clearest possible vision after ICL surgery. One of the greatest benefits of ICL is the ability to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.

However, the highest possible visual acuity does not necessarily provide the most comfortable visual experience.

The goal of ICL surgery is not simply to achieve a high visual acuity score. More importantly, it is to achieve clear, comfortable vision that fits your eyes, lifestyle, and daily visual needs.

Your Ideal Target Vision Is Unique to You

ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens) surgery corrects refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism by placing a lens inside the eye.

The ICL is positioned behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural crystalline lens, where it corrects the eye’s refractive error and improves uncorrected vision.

Before surgery, a comprehensive eye examination is performed to determine the appropriate ICL power. Measurements such as corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, and axial length are taken into account when calculating the lens power.

However, the ideal target for your postoperative vision is not determined by measurements alone.

Your lifestyle and visual needs are equally important.

For example, you may:

• ・Want exceptionally clear distance vision
• ・Drive regularly and place a high priority on distance vision
• ・Spend long hours working on a computer
• ・Frequently use a smartphone or other digital devices
• ・Want excellent distance vision while maintaining comfortable near vision
• ・Be concerned about how your near vision may change with age

Because everyone’s visual needs are different, there is no single target visual acuity that is ideal for everyone.

Rather than simply aiming for the highest possible number, such as 20/20 or better, the goal should be to determine what level of vision will provide the best balance of clarity and comfort for your everyday life.

Distance Vision and Near Vision Are Two Different Considerations

Some people may assume that if they achieve excellent distance vision after ICL surgery, their near vision will automatically be equally clear.

However, this is not always the case.

As we age, presbyopia naturally develops. Even when myopia is fully corrected, the eye gradually becomes less able to focus on nearby objects.

After ICL surgery, patients who previously relied on their myopia to see things up close may notice that reading a smartphone, book, or computer screen at close range feels different.

For this reason, when discussing your target vision before ICL surgery, it is important to consider not only:

“How clearly do I want to see in the distance?”

but also:

“How comfortably do I want to see at near distances?”

Your typical working distance, smartphone viewing distance, reading habits, and other daily visual activities can all be important when determining the most appropriate visual target.

What Target Vision Is Right for You?

The ideal target vision after ICL surgery is different for every patient.

Rather than focusing solely on a visual acuity number, it is important to consider your age, eye characteristics, lifestyle, occupation, and daily visual demands when determining the most appropriate target.

If you are considering ICL surgery and would like to know what level of vision may be most suitable for you, please feel free to consult our ophthalmology team.

Our goal is not simply to help you see better, but to help you achieve clear and comfortable vision that fits your life.