Are you tired of dealing with glasses or contacts but have been told you’re not a good candidate for LASIK due to dry eye? Dry eye can be a significant barrier to traditional laser vision correction procedures.
However, the EVO ICL offers an excellent alternative that might be right for you. Keep reading to learn more about whether the EVO ICL is good for patients with dry eye.
What is the EVO ICL?
The EVO ICL is an implantable collamer lens designed to correct vision for patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism. Unlike procedures like LASIK that reshape your cornea, the EVO ICL works like a permanent contact lens that’s implanted inside your eye through a minimally invasive procedure.
What makes the EVO ICL unique is that it’s completely reversible. If your prescription changes in the future or you need another eye procedure like cataract surgery, your eye doctor can remove or replace the lens as needed.
Why EVO ICL is Ideal for Dry Eye Patients
The EVO ICL can be an excellent choice for patients with dry eye who want to permanently correct their vision. Its key advantage is that the procedure corrects vision without disturbing the cornea, so it doesn’t cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.
This is a significant benefit because dry eye is a common side effect of procedures that correct vision by reshaping corneal tissue, like LASIK. If you already have dry eye, these other procedures can potentially worsen your condition and increase the risk of complications during healing.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for the EVO ICL?
To be considered a good candidate for the EVO ICL, you should meet certain criteria:
Age
The best patients for the EVO ICL are typically between 21 and 45 years old, when vision is most stable.
Prescription
You should have no significant changes to your prescription for at least a year, as prescription changes after your procedure could impair your visual outcome.
Refractive Error
The EVO ICL can treat moderate to severe nearsightedness, generally between -3.00 and -20.00 diopters, and astigmatism up to 4.00 diopters. However, it cannot correct farsightedness.
Eye Health
EVO ICL patients should have no history of serious eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration.
Overall Health
You should be in good general health with no conditions that could affect healing, like diabetes or autoimmune conditions.
What to Expect During the EVO ICL Procedure
When you arrive for your procedure, your eye surgeon will first apply numbing eye drops to ensure your comfort. They may also provide a mild sedative to help you relax.
Once you’re ready, your eye surgeon makes a tiny opening at the edge of your cornea. The EVO ICL lens is folded and inserted through this small opening, where it unfolds naturally in your eye.
Your surgeon then carefully positions the lens properly before completing the procedure. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes.
Because the incision is so small, no stitches are required for healing.
What is EVO ICL Recovery Like?
Recovery from EVO ICL is typically quick and straightforward. You’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure, and your eye surgeon will provide eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
Most patients can return to normal activities within 1-2 days following the procedure. However, it’s important not to rub your eyes during the first 3-5 days while they’re still healing.
Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to check your vision and ensure proper healing. Following all care instructions will help you enjoy optimal results from your EVO ICL procedure.
Benefits of Choosing the EVO ICL
The EVO ICL offers numerous benefits beyond being suitable for dry eye patients:
- Sharp, clear vision, even in low-light environments
- Made from a proprietary biocompatible material that works harmoniously with your eye
- Requires only a small incision that heals quickly
- The only vision correction option that can be removed if needed
- Built-in protection against harmful ultraviolet light
- Improved night vision
- Studies show that approximately 99% of patients are satisfied with their results
Is EVO ICL Right for You?
If you’ve been frustrated by your inability to pursue LASIK due to dry eye or thin corneas, the EVO ICL could be the life-changing solution you’ve been looking for. This advanced technology offers the vision correction you want without worsening existing dry eye symptoms or creating new ones.
The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for EVO ICL is to schedule a comprehensive eye examination at Cheema MD Eye Care. Our expert ophthalmologists can evaluate your specific situation and help you understand if the EVO ICL is the right choice for your vision correction needs.
Don’t let dry eye prevent you from enjoying clear vision without glasses or contacts. Schedule an appointment at Cheema MD Eye Care in Kingston, NY, today!
