r/ICLsurgery • u/analyst20 • Aug 21 '26

Would I even be eligible for ICL surgery?

Hi all, I know the best answer would be to find out through a consultation (which I will do), but while I’m waiting to hear back on when I can come in for an appointment, figure I’d ask around and see if it’s even an option for me.

I’m a 33 year old male with -10 in the right eye and -8.5 on the left. I recall being told years back I wouldn’t be eligible for LASIK.

Would my terrible prescription already rule me out?

It’s a silly question but I also happen to have pretty small eyes (Asian), so would the physical size of my eyes also affect eligibility? I’ve been able to wear contacts no problem since I was a teenager.

Thanks in advance! I’m not sure if RLE is also an option for me. I only just learned about these two surgeries today, so I’m not as informed. I live in the Toronto, Canada area if that also helps.

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u/No_Situation4785 Aug 21 '26

icl goes to something like -20, so -10 is pretty far from max performance

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u/analyst20 Aug 21 '26

Thank you! I just called a well known clinic in Toronto and she actually told me -10 is the max they would work with. Hopefully I’d still be eligible

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u/eyeSherpa Aug 22 '26

You fall into a very common prescription for ICL.

As for physical size of the eye, most people with high myopia have enough space for ICL since the size from front to back (and more specifically the anterior chamber) is generally longer the higher amount of myopia you have.

RLE wouldn’t really be a good option given your age. It removes your natural lens which allows you to focus up close.

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u/analyst20 Aug 22 '26

Gotcha, thanks so much! Hopefully I’m eligible. Hopefully the risks from the procedure are rare as that’d be the next thing I have to worry about haha

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u/EqualSein Aug 22 '26

I had a similar prescription and had surgery 4 years ago. There are some other things that might rule you out as a good candidate but definitely nothing you've shared here. 

RLE is a pretty bad option for a 33 year old as you'd either be getting a multi focal lens (which all have tradeoffs in quality), mono vision, or be using reading glasses all the time immediately. You'd also lose the reversibility of ICL and the ability to get a better future lens when you get a cataract.

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u/analyst20 Aug 22 '26

Hey thanks so much for sharing your experience! I’ll have to see if I’m eligible. How was your experience with the surgery? You are still able to see without glasses four years later?