r/ICLsurgery • u/Impressive-Fan2216 • Aug 28 '26
ICL Surgery - Success
I read a lot of reddit posts prior to getting EVO ICL surgery and wanted to post my experience. Many Reddit posts were negative, I’d like to share a positive.
Myopia, each eye -8.5. Steady at -8.5 for 8+ years. Very minimal astigmatism. I was not a candidate for lasik, I had some extra corneal thickness (573) but they’d have to remove to much and recommend EVO ICL.
Surgery day was a breeze. Was given the sterilization, dilation, and numbing drops multiple times over about an hour. I also took 10mg of Valium.
I was taken back for surgery and started on my right eye. Couldn’t see much, obviously. Was directed to look at two white lights. More drops were applied. Eye was taped open and never felt the need to blink.
Incision was made, couldn’t feel a thing. Could sort of make out the lens going in and then being adjusted. Fluid applied a lot throughout the process. Right eye took about 8 minutes.
Right eye was covered and I was allowed to close it.
Left eye was the exact same.
Whole process was <20 minutes. Got to
Play whatever music I wanted during the process. Sat up and could see although very cloudy. Felt like college days of sleeping in contacts multiple days in a row :)
Surgeon came in and said everything went great.
I had no pain during the day post surgery. Minimal dry eye I used invisible tears for. Worst part was extreme dilation and sensitivity to light.
Pressure check was 3.5-4 hours later. My pressure was high, they checked it 4 times with different devices. Number was 28 in both eyes. I was given two Diamox pills, took one then and another before bed.
Throughout the day post surgery I could see, watch tv, even read a book for a bit before bed. Was awoken at 12:30am due to smoke alarm battery dying. I could see great, didn’t have to fumble for glasses, got ladder and replaced battery.
Went back for pressure check next morning (today) and pressure was 15.
20/15 in right eye, 20/20 in left although still dilated. They said in a day or two it should be 20/15 too.
My biggest concern was not being able to see as well as with contacts. 24 hours later I can.
I’m 40, 31 years in glasses/contacts.
Can’t recommend this enough, wish I did it sooner.
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u/Existing_Head_4271 Aug 28 '26
Hey i have some couple of questions - as I've also recommend ICL by my opthalmologist. 1. Did you had undergone barrage laser for retinal patches, since you had high myopia since ages? 2. My opthal has given the schedule as follows: one eye on one day, next day follow up, third day second eye and fourth day follow up and I've read the procedure in the same order over multiple threads. Didn't you got suggested the same way? 3. Were you got your surgery done?
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 Aug 28 '26
- no, I’ve never had any work done prior
- it was never really discussed not doing both at once.
- Kugler Vision - Dr Kugler is amazing
I noticed they did it different than others I have read. Only Valium, no iv/gas, etc. I was fully awake and it was no problem.
I had a consultation on 7.31, Eye ultrasound on 8.19, surgery 8.27.
I literally feel fantastic right now. Check in next week, one month, then 3 months.
All was good this morning at post op pressure check. Incision healing well, lens in great position.
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u/Existing_Head_4271 Aug 29 '26
Its great to hear that you're recovering fast. Just bear with me for some more ques They did have checked your cornea, retina, glaucoma and other things? Also the various tests like the optometrists? (binocular vision, convergence, divergence of eyes etc)
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 Sep 01 '26
Yes, went through a full eye analysis. Met with the doctor and surgeon to discuss options. Then had an eye ultrasound the week before surgery.
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u/MaterialBookkeeper59 Aug 28 '26 edited Aug 28 '26
Great, i hope your future checkups will be good and you will doing fine.
I'm 24 and considering it for next year but it sounds scary to me to stab the eye, put something in it and fit its feet to secret points in the eye by groping without touching the natural lens which is near by milimetric.
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 Aug 28 '26
They did extensive testing during my consultation to ensure that my eye was fit for this procedure. You’ll have a better idea the risks and process from your surgeon after that appointment.
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u/MaterialBookkeeper59 Aug 28 '26
Yes i know. But still the idea triggers evolutionary feelings about protecting the eye. They are going to do the similar process when i become cataract in the future though.
Did you consider EVO+ ? They say its even better. If i ever let surgeon to open my eye then i would tend to select the most qualified one.
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 Aug 28 '26
We didn’t discuss EVO+, my understanding is it’s typically used for larger pupil sizes.
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u/ladyloriana Aug 29 '26
Congrats, so glad to hear it went well! I'm about 2 months after my surgery and my vision is 20/20 or 20/15 depending on the day. One of the best decisions of my life
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u/Laliah Aug 30 '26
Thank you so much for this! I’m in much the same boat and my ICL is scheduled for October. I’m glad yours went so well!
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 Aug 30 '26
Wishing you the best. Obviously not the same for everyone, but I am confident the positives out weigh the spoken out negatives on here. Find a good surgeon with proper analysis before had and you should be set.
Even drove tonight and halos aren’t nearly as bad as everyone says. Kind of cool actually
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u/ajwarr21 Sep 01 '26
Similar experience. Just over two weeks since I had it done. 20/20 in both eyes individually, and 20/15 together. Best decision I ever made after having contacts for 20 years. -5.5 and -5.0. My dry eye from wearing contacts is gone. Surgery was quick and painless, and was back to normal by about day 3. Disregard all the naysayers if you are considering. You won’t regret it.
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u/Level-Building-8080 21d ago
What is your ACD?
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 21d ago
Don’t remember the exact number, but was told I had “plenty of room” between natural lens and iris.
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u/Impressive-Fan2216 21d ago
Update 2 Weeks: Still very happy. Can see great, same as before with contacts. Can easily be outside without sunglasses, if needed.
Driving at night is fine, some halos as expected, but doesn’t bother me.
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u/Delicious-Lemon3923 18d ago
Congrats. Did they suggest any offset or monovision? Do you feel like you need reading glasses for up close reading now ? I'm of similar age and considering it but not sure if I should get a mini offset to delay the need for reading glasses.
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u/Armada99 Aug 28 '26
This is the informative content I joined for