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Phakic Lens Surgery – Intraocular Lens ICL
Medically reviewed by: Prof. Dr. Levent Alimgil · Last updated: 7 September 2026
What is a phakic ICL?
A phakic intraocular lens is a thin implant placed between the iris and the eye’s own crystalline lens, which stays in place. Because no corneal tissue is removed, it is considered for eyes that are unsuitable for laser correction — whether because of corneal thickness, topography or the size of the refractive error. High myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be corrected, and the lens can be removed if necessary.
Who is a candidate?
- Usually aged 21–45 with a refraction stable for at least 12 months
- Corneal thickness or topography unsuitable for laser correction
- Adequate anterior chamber depth and ocular dimensions
- Endothelial cell count adequate for age
It is not performed in eyes with a narrow angle, advanced cataract, uncontrolled glaucoma, low endothelial cell count or active intraocular inflammation.
Measurements: a point that matters
The indication is written from the corneal endothelium to the anterior lens surface. Devices do not all report that distance: some measure from the epithelium and therefore read roughly one corneal thickness — about 0.5 mm — higher. The measuring device and reference surface are recorded. White-to-white distance, endothelial cell count, corneal topography and tomography, intraocular pressure and a retinal examination are also performed.
Surgery and recovery
The procedure takes about 10–15 minutes per eye under topical anaesthesia. The folded lens is introduced through a small incision. Vision improves markedly for most patients on the first day. The eye is not rubbed during the first week and drops are used as prescribed. Follow-up is on the same or next day, at one week and one month, then annually.
Risks and follow-up
The distance between the implant and the natural lens (the vault) matters: if it is too high or too low the lens may need to be exchanged. Raised intraocular pressure, cataract formation and endothelial cell loss are reported risks, which is why regular follow-up is required. With modern central-port designs a peripheral iridotomy is usually unnecessary.
Phakic Lens Surgery – Intraocular Lens ICL
It is generally applies to patients who have a high number and are not suitable for Laser Eye Surgery. It is a procedure that corrects especially high myopia, hyperopia (far)and astigmatismeye defects. After all, the intraocular lens (ICL) is a colamer implant. In other words, it is a permanent lens. Phakic Lens Surgery means that the natural lens of your eye is not remove. Lenses are made of collagen material known as colamer. In particular, its function is similar to that of conventional contact lenses. In particular, intraocular lenses focus light properly on your retina. Thus, it works with your existing lens to correct refractive errors.
Who is eligible for Phakic Lens Surgery?
Patients between the ages of 21-45 who use high prescription glasses or contact lenses are eligible for Phakic Lens Surgery. It is among the best candidates for surgery. In addition, if your eyes are not suitable for laser surgery due to various medial obstacles, you may be a good candidate for ICL. (For example, if your corneal thickness is not suitable)
ICL Surgery is a very effective and permanent method for Keratoconus Patients whose over 35 years old and not suitable for laser surgery.
If you have Keratoconus Disease that has stopped progressing and you want to get rid of your glasses or eye defects, you can contact us for more information.
Generally, the patients who are suitable for this surgery are young patients. Especially for Phakic Lens Surgery, the age range of 21 to 45 is suitable. Although Intraocular Lenses do not correct Presbyopia reading vision problem that starts after the age of 45. After the age of 45, patients with ICL Surgery can see up close by using close glasses like everyone else. In addition, a complete eye examination including various eye tests is require before treatment.
Which refractive errors can be eliminate with Phakic Lens Surgery?
Compared to laser eye treatments, phakic lens surgery can safely and effectively correct hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism refractive errors.
Especially in refractive laser surgery, patients with myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia have upper diopter limitations. However, these upper limits are quite high in ICL surgery. Therefore, if your eye numbers are not suitable for laser eye treatment, phakic lens surgery may be a good alternative for you.
Does Corneal thickness important?
Especially in phakic lens surgery, your corneal thickness does not matter as in Laser Eye Surgery. On the contrary, recovery after these surgeries is fast as in LASIK laser eye surgeries. Another advantage of phakic lens surgeries is that the lens place in your eye can be remove in the future. Therefore, although most people will not need to have their lenses removed, the possibility is comforting for patients. A patient who has had this surgery is also protected from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
What is the Phakic Lens Surgery process?
Surgery takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes per eye. Your doctor will keep you in the recovery room after surgery to make sure that the artificial lens that is place in your eye is properly inserted. And for a few hours, it closely monitors your eyes and you can go home. Your eye surgeon will give you to use antibiotic eye drops for about one week and topical steroid eye drops for two to four weeks.
Especially Phakic Lens Surgeries are in the outpatient class and you can leave our hospital the same day after the surgery. The next day, you have to come for the control. You will need to have your check-ups one and 6 to 12 months after the surgery.
What is the Success Rate for Phakic Lens Surgery
It shows that ICL Surgeries are more effective in treating individuals with higher dioptre of Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism.
Phakic Lenses are consider a suitable alternative for patients who want to correct high-grade refractive errors. However, if your eyes are suitable for refractive laser eye surgery, phakic surgery is not preferred. Because Laser Eye Surgery is a more comfortable and more economical solution for patients.
Which Phakic Lens should be preferred for surgery?
Most preferable ICL Lens manufacturer is STAAR Surgical. STAAR Surgical is FDA approved ICL lenses. EVO/EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism.
EVO Lense is a biocompatible implantable lens is design to be use in Phakic Lens Surgery for patients ages 21 to 45 for high refraction errors.
ICL lenses price range is higher than Cataract IOL lenses. There for Phakic Lesn Surgery price range is high than Cataract Surgery prices. For more price information about ICL surgery please click the link.
Useful Links
Our Expert Eye Surgeons, Laser Eye Surgeries. Sensitive Profile Patient Program. Intraocular Lens ICL Surgery(FDA). Cataract and Lens Replacement Eye Surgeries. Keratoconus Cross-Linking Surgery. Blepharoplasty Aesthetic Surgeries. Dry Eye Syndrome Treatments. Periodic Eye Examinations.
Phakic ICL planning with RLES AI®
In phakic ICL surgery the eye keeps its own lens, so planning rests on measuring the spaces inside the eye. In our centre these measurements are additionally checked with RLES AI®, an artificial-intelligence assisted planning tool.
RLES AI® is a clinical decision support tool. It does not diagnose and does not decide on surgery. It checks the measurements in the same order in every case and shows the surgeon what is missing and what carries risk; the surgeon decides.
Which data are checked before surgery?
- Biometry: axial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal power (K1/K2/Kmax)
- Corneal map: magnitude and axis of astigmatism, screening for irregularity
- Macula and retina: OCT assessment; it directly affects which lens type is suitable
- Tear film: dry eye is the first thing that can make measurements unreliable
- Anterior chamber angle: a narrow angle is flagged separately for further assessment
- Pupil size and daily visual needs: including your occupation and night driving
How is lens power calculated?
The power of the implant is calculated from the measured values, and the choice of formula depends on the eye. In eyes that have had previous laser vision correction standard formulas can drift; these eyes need adjusted formulas, and records of the earlier procedure improve accuracy. RLES AI® checks this consistency and flags missing input; the surgeon completes the calculation on their own platform.
Why do anterior chamber depth and angle decide candidacy?
Candidacy depends largely on anterior chamber depth, and this has to be measured from the inner surface of the cornea; devices do not all report the same thing, so a misread value can make an eye look more suitable than it is. A narrow angle is flagged separately. After surgery the gap between the implant and the natural lens (the vault) is followed regularly. RLES AI® weighs these items together with the cases where laser methods are ruled out on corneal grounds.
RLES AI® does not make a diagnosis and does not decide on surgery. It flags risks, thresholds and missing data; the final decision and responsibility rest with the surgeon. More information: rlesai.com
Frequent Ask Questions about Phakic Lens Surgery
How much does ICL surgery cost?
The cost of ICL surgeries is higher than cataract surgeries due to the cost of the Lenses uses. STAAR Surgical ICL Phakic lenses, which are the most effective in the world and the patients are most satisfy with. STAAR Surgical Lenses generally uses in Smart Laser Eye Center. Cost per eye is apply in Phakic Lens surgeries. Costing depends on several variables, including diopter correction and the type of lens use. For more pricing information please click the link..
How long do ICL surgery take?
The ICL surgery procedure is perform on both eyes simultaneously and takes approximately 45 minutes.
At what age can I have ICL surgery?
ICL surgeries are generally performed on patients between the ages of 21 and 45. Patients over 45 years of age with Presbyopia reading vision difficulties cannot benefit from ICL surgeries. ICL Phakic Lenses are use to eliminate high prescription Myopia, Astigmatism and Hypermetropia refractive errors that are not suitable for laser eye surgery.
How painful is ICL surgery?
Since local anesthesia and a mild sedative are applies before the ICL surgery, you will not feel any pain, discomfort during the procedure. It is not different from laser eye surgery.
Why you should avoid low-cost ICL surgery
A cheap ICL operation may look like a sensible choice at first. However, the items that bring the price down are usually the same ones: the quality of the measurement and imaging devices, the operating-room conditions, the brand of lens used and the surgeon’s experience. Buying a cheap television costs you nothing; with your eyesight, the price can be permanent.
Therefore, look at what the fee covers rather than at the fee alone. Before surgery, we suggest you ask about four things:
- Measurement and imaging: Are corneal topography, anterior chamber depth, white-to-white diameter and endothelial cell count measured? Lens power and size are decided from these figures.
- Surgeon and clinical team: Who will operate, and what is their experience in phakic intraocular lens surgery?
- Operating room: Is the procedure carried out in a fully equipped, sterile hospital operating theatre?
- Lens and follow-up: Which brand and model will be implanted, what is the price difference for a toric option, and is postoperative vault and endothelial follow-up included?
In addition, we remind every patient of something simple: you have two eyes, and sight is the most delicate of the senses. Consequently, technology and medical quality are the last places to economise, and we do not compromise on either.
There are no hidden costs in our pricing. We set out in writing what the surgical fee includes, and we offer instalment options on suitable terms.
Medically reviewed by
Prof. Dr. Levent Alimgil — Ophthalmologist — cataract, glaucoma and intraocular lens surgery, Nişantaşı Hastanesi Göz Merkezi. Our doctors
This page is for general information and does not replace an examination by a doctor. Treatment decisions are made after examination and diagnostic tests.
Who is suitable for an ICL?
Usually patients aged 21–45 with a stable refraction whose corneas are unsuitable for laser. Anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell count are decisive.
Can the lens be removed?
Yes. It can be removed or exchanged, since no corneal tissue has been removed.
Why does anterior chamber depth matter?
Adequate space is needed for safe placement. The measurement must be taken from the endothelium; devices measuring from the epithelium read about 0.5 mm higher.
Is follow-up needed after surgery?
Yes. Lens position, intraocular pressure and endothelial cell count are monitored at regular intervals.
Can cataract develop after ICL?
Cataract formation over time is among the reported risks; regular follow-up detects it early.
Your Expert Eye Surgeons
Education Information:
After graduating from primary school in Trabzon, Dr. Ofluoglu. He completed secondary and high school in Istanbul. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1987. He successfully completed his ophthalmology residency at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. He received his specialization equivalency in Turkey from Istanbul University Capa Faculty of Medicine . He worked as an Ophthalmologist at Taksim German Hospital between 1997-2014 as an ophthalmologist.Work experience:
German HospitalGalata Medical AcademyCertificates, Memberships, Scientific Publications:
- Articles Published in International Refereed Journals (Sci&Ssci&Arts And Humanities)
- Traenenwege from Die Endeskopie Der Ablrite. Akuchar, P. Novak,
- Ofluoglu FJ: Steinkogler. Spectrum Der Augenheikunde (1985)
- Volumersatz Der Orbita Myth Bioplastic. FJ Steinkogler, A. Kuchar,
- Novak, A.Ofluoglu Spektrum Der Augenheikunde
- Turkish Ophthalmology Association
- European Society Of Cataract And Refractive Surgeons
- American Society Of Cataract And Refractive Surgery
Specialized Treatments and Surgeries:
- Retractive Laser Eye Surgery: iLASIK (Femto Lasik), LASIK, LASEK, TransEpithelial PRK (NO TOUCH) and SMILE
- Cataract Surgery (Smart Lens Surgery)
- Keratoconus Treatments – Cross-Linking Surgeries
- Pterygium – Eyelid (Bird Wing) Surgery-
- Dry Eye Disease and Treatments
- Strabismus Treatments
- Glaucoma- Glaucoma Eye Pressure Treatments
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Treatments for Diabetes-Related Eye Diseases
- Macular Degeneration Disease Treatments
Foreign language:
- English
- German
