What Is ICL?
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a refractive procedure that corrects myopia and astigmatism by placing a dedicated lens between the iris and the crystalline lens. Because no corneal tissue is removed, the lens can be taken out later if your refraction changes in the future — making this a reversible procedure.
How ICL Differs from LASIK
- LASIK: reshapes the corneal surface with a laser to change refraction (irreversible)
- ICL: implants a lens inside the eye without removing corneal tissue (reversible)
Because the cornea is preserved, ICL is often suitable even for people with high myopia or thin corneas, and it tends to have relatively little impact on dry eye.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- People with high myopia who have been told they are not candidates for LASIK
- People with thin or irregularly shaped corneas
- People who struggle with dry eye
- People who want to keep options open for future changes in their vision
About candidacy: Criteria include age, the degree of myopia or astigmatism, anterior chamber depth, and corneal endothelial cell count. Final candidacy is determined based on your preoperative examination results. If the tests show that ICL is not suitable for you, we will explain why and guide you toward other options.
The Surgical Procedure
- Preoperative examinations (corneal endothelial cell count, anterior chamber depth measurement, precise refraction testing)
- Anesthetic eye drops
- A small incision is made in the cornea
- The folded lens is inserted and positioned behind the iris
- The incision seals itself (no sutures required)
Duration & Hospitalization
This is a day procedure taking about 20 minutes for both eyes. Most people return to their daily routine the next day. Regular follow-up visits (the next day, one week, one month, etc.) are required after surgery.
Approximate Costs (Not Covered by Insurance)
ICL is not covered by Japanese national health insurance (it is a self-paid treatment). The cost is approx. ¥500,000–¥700,000 for both eyes (JPY), varying with the type of lens and whether astigmatism correction is included. Whether preoperative and follow-up examinations are included differs by facility; details will be provided at your consultation.
Possible Complications
Possible complications: Early cataract formation, elevated intraocular pressure, and infection have been reported in rare cases. We assess these risks through preoperative testing and evaluate candidacy carefully. Some people also notice rings of light around lights at night (halos), but for most, these become less noticeable over time.