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What is EVO ICL, and is it Right for You?
Not everyone who wants laser vision correction is a good candidate for LASIK. While it is an extremely popular procedure, it is not right for everyone due to several factors such as prescription needs, eye anatomy, or personal preference.
The good news is that there are other vision correction options available. One option that can work well for people who are not good candidates for LASIK is the EVO ICL.
The EVO ICL is an implantable Collamer lens that can offer improved vision and reduce your need for glasses and contact lenses. Keep reading to learn more about the EVO ICL, including whether it may be right for you!
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What to Expect During EVO ICL Recovery
Wondering what to expect during EVO ICL recovery? EVO Visian ICL surgery has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK for individuals wanting a long-lasting solution for vision correction without spending a lifetime fiddling with glasses or disposable contact lenses.
Understanding what the procedure entails, as well as what to expect during EVO ICL recovery helps patients feel empowered and informed when it comes to choosing a long-term solution for their vision.
What is EVO ICL surgery?
The EVO Visian ICL procedure is a type of vision correction surgery meant to help patients with nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. It’s one of the least-invasive options available to patients who are seeking improved sight and involves a flexible, biocompatible lens installed between the eyes’ own lenses and the iris. No tissue is removed during the process.
Much like standard contact lenses, the lenses implanted during EVO Visian ICL can be removed and replaced — however, unlike standard contact lenses, a surgeon is required to take care of these processes. The patient’s age and general physical and ocular health determine the length of time between possible replacements, though in many cases the installed lens may last throughout the patient’s entire life.
Should I get EVO Visian ICL or LASIK?
A lot of patients ask us to weigh in on EVO Visian ICL vs LASIK for their eyesight needs. The truth is, both procedures are ideal for different circumstances. EVO Visian ICL patients tend to want a flexible solution they can replace if necessary, or their corneas are too thin for LASIK.
LASIK, on the other hand, works best for patients with astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness, who have the right cornea shape and thickness and are fine with a more permanent visual solution that can’t be reversed. In the end, the choice will likely depend on what procedure your surgeon believes will be best for you to achieve long-term results.
What are the side effects of EVO ICL surgery?
All surgeries will have some side effects that patients need to prepare for ahead of time. In most cases, these side effects indicate that the eye is healing at an efficient, healthy pace. If they seem excessively painful or long-lasting, however, and don’t clear up with the relief protocols prescribed by your surgeon, you may need to schedule a follow-up appointment.
When it comes to the EVO Visian ICL procedure, the most common side effects our patient’s face include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Dry eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Temporarily blurred vision
- Eye pressure
- Watery eyes
- Haloing
Some of the rarer side effects of EVO Visian ICL surgery are also some of the more serious. Depending on your circumstances, you may have to have your lenses reinstalled or uninstalled entirely.
How many days of rest are needed after ICL surgery?
Understandably, one of the first questions ICL surgery candidates want to ask involves some variation of, “How long does it take to recover from eye surgery?” The most realistic answer we can give is that your EVO Visian ICL recovery time depends on a multitude of different factors, such as your eye shape, overall vision health, and even your body’s overall health.
The majority of patients can return to much of their normal routines within a week’s time or, for some, even the day after surgery. However, they will need to avoid certain activities to better facilitate healing. In addition, most patients won’t require additional corrective lenses the day following the procedure.
Speak with your surgeon about how long you should rest following your EVO Visian ICL procedure. Your eye surgeon should also provide you with directions for post-procedure care, including eye drops and possibly topical creams to relieve pain and speed up healing.
What should you avoid after ICL surgery?
We always recommend that our patients follow all the dos and don’ts after ICL surgery as closely as possible. These guidelines, as well as any accompanying prescriptions, are specifically designed to facilitate a speedy recovery.
Everyone heals at their own pace, but there are some general expectations patients can anticipate from the process. Typically, recovery will require avoiding the following activities within a given time frame:
- Driving or operating heavy machinery: 24 hours to several days after surgery
- Drinking alcohol: 48 hours to several days after surgery
- Exercise: One week after surgery
- Swimming or hot tubbing: Two to three weeks after surgery
- Getting water in your eyes during a bath or shower: One to three weeks after surgery
- Wearing eye makeup: One to three weeks after surgery
- Rubbing your eyes: One to three weeks after surgery
Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed list of when you may resume specific activities based on your personal recovery plan.
EVO ICL recovery can be a breeze with Eye Center of Texas
One of the biggest benefits of this surgery is the short EVO ICL recovery time. If you’re considering EVO Visian ICL, LASIK, or another vision correction surgery, Eye Center of Texas is happy to help provide any information you need to make the right decision for your unique health circumstances.
Eye Center of Texas is the first ophthalmologist practice in Houston to offer EVO Visian ICL in the area for patients who don’t qualify for LASIK but want to break free of their contact lenses or glasses.
Our surgeons Dr. Edward Wade and Dr. Yasir Ahmed are well-prepared and trained to make sure you know exactly what to expect during EVO ICL recovery. To learn more about whether you’re a good candidate, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us.
More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:
- Bifocal LASIK: Can LASIK Make You Bifocal-Free?
- How to Choose Between LASIK Surgery Options
- Can You Use Your FSA or HSA for LASIK?
- What is the Cost of Cataract Surgery in Texas?
- What Are The Early Symptoms of Glaucoma?
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Recovery Time After Eyesight Correction Surgery
Eyesight correction surgery is often pursued in hopes of simplifying one’s life, helping one save time, or enhancing an active lifestyle. So, it only makes sense that recovery time be taken into the equation when trying to decide between photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), EVO Visian ICL, and LASIK.
Although each of these three types of eye surgery to correct vision have the same goal in mind, there are some key differences — recovery time being one of them. In this article, our vision correction experts at Eye Center of Texas in Houston explain what you can expect during recovery from the three most popular refractive surgeries.
How long does it take to heal from corrective eye surgery?
Each and every patient that receives eyesight correction surgery is a little bit different, and your recovery experience will be too. That said, you can improve your recovery by following your surgeons directions for care post-surgery.
LASIK recovery time
LASIK recovery time is typically around 24-48 hours, but you may be able to return to light activity after resting for 2-4 hours post operation. Immediately after surgery you may experience blurry vision, discomfort, and mild pain.During those first few days, you should avoid rubbing or irritating your eyes, strenuous activity, showering or swimming, wearing makeup, and wearing contact lenses even if you’re experiencing blurred vision. Which leads us to another common LASIK recovery question, “how long will my vision be blurry after LASIK?”
For most patients, vision begins to return to normal in the day following surgery, but it can take up to 2-3 months for vision to completely heal.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) recovery time
While LASIK uses a laser to create a flap in the cornea, PRK removes the top layer altogether in order to reshape the lower layers. As a result, recovery time for PRK surgery in Houston is a bit longer because you’ll need to give your cornea time to grow back. Patients will need to wear an eye bandage to protect the eye for at least 3-5 days and can expect to be fully recovered in 1-3 months.
EVO Visian ICL recovery time
Out of all of the types of eye surgery to correct vision, EVO Visian ICL has the shortest and easiest recovery. This is because a biocompatible lens is implanted in the eye through a small opening in the cornea versus completely removing a layer or creating a flap like in the LASIK procedure. Downtime for EVO Visian ICL is minimal and patients can generally return to normal activities within a couple of days.
Which eye corrective surgery is best?
Because PRK, EVO Visian ICL, and LASIK are all safe and effective ways to improve your vision, the best eye correction surgery for you will depend on factors such as your prescription, cornea health, whether you’re wanting a permanent solution, and the amount of time you’re able and willing to spend in recovery.
LASIK can help individuals with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism achieve clear vision without the need for contacts or glasses. Additionally, for patients who already have dry eyes or a thin cornea, are looking to treat nearsightedness or nearsightedness with astigmatism, or who are not a good candidate for LASIK, ECO Visian ICL is a great alternative option. However, if you’re looking for a LASIK alternative to treat farsightedness and have dry eyes, your eye surgeon may suggest PRK instead.
You see that it can get complicated. To find out more about which refractive surgery is right for you, schedule an appointment with a skilled eye surgeon from Eye Center of Texas. They will be able to look at your unique circumstances and make a recommendation for surgery that will help you achieve your best possible vision.
Find your visual freedom with eyesight correction surgery in Houston!
Although recovery time for eyesight correction surgery varies, LASIK and EVO Visian ICL tend to be quicker, with PRK recovery time taking a bit longer. LASIK and EVO Visian ICL patients tend to experience clear vision fairly quickly, but patients after PRK surgery, due to its more invasive nature, can take 3-5 days before getting back on their feet.
If you are looking for the visual freedom that eye correction surgery can help you achieve, it’s important to learn about your options so that you can choose the best eye correction surgery for you. At Eye Center of Texas, our surgeons can help you do just that.
We offer our patients a range of options including PRK, EVO Visian ICL, and LASIK in Houston. With over 75,000 successful LASIK procedures, you can trust that your vision is in skilled (and steady) hands.
Take the first step to learning more about your options by calling us at 713-797-1010 or requesting an appointment online today!
More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:
- What Are The Three Types of Cataracts?
- How to Relieve Intolerance to Contact Lenses
- The Difference Between EVO Visian ICL and Toric ICL
- How to Find a Glaucoma Specialist in Houston
- The Best LASIK Alternatives For You
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EVO Visian® ICL: The Latest in Vision Correction Surgery
Choosing to have vision correction surgery is a huge decision, but choosing the right vision correction surgery for you can be even more crucial. Although ophthalmologists have been developing vision correction procedures for many years, it seems as though there have been few options to help people fix common vision problems long-term … until now. In March of 2022, the long-awaited procedure said to “free patients from their glasses or contacts” gained FDA approval.
Meet EVO Visian® ICL, the latest in vision correction surgery that is clinically proven to correct common vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism using an FDA-approved implantable lens.
Eye Center of Texas is the first ophthalmologist practice to offer EVO Visian ICL in Houston, and our very own eye surgeons Dr. Edward Wade and Dr. Yasir Ahmed are some of the first doctors to provide the procedure to patients. We are here to help you to learn more about this groundbreaking procedure and see if it could be the right fit for your vision needs.
What makes EVO Visian ICL an innovative vision correction surgery?
- The procedure does not remove corneal tissue
Unlike traditional vision correction surgeries including LASIK and PRK, EVO Visian ICL does not remove the eye’s corneal tissue. Instead, your eye doctor will create a small opening in your cornea that is used to insert and position the lens. This technique is safer and more accurate, and will not give you dry eye syndrome post-surgery. What more could you ask for?
- The lens is made of natural materials
The EVO Visian ICL lens is made of biocompatible Collamer that contains a small amount of purified collagen, a protein responsible for skin elasticity that occurs naturally in the body. This implantable lens is completely natural and works in harmony with your natural eye shape and function. Collamer has unique characteristics that make it an ideal solution for correcting your vision, including:
- Compatible with your natural eye
- Soft and flexible feeling
- Not visible once placed
- Protective against harmful UV rays
- Provides better night vision
- The lens is removable
Typically, vision correction surgery can be a big commitment due to its permanency. However, the EVO ICL lens can be removed by your doctor at any time, giving you flexibility should you choose to have cataract surgery later on. You can keep the lens in for clearer, sharper vision day and night, or have them removed. The choice is completely yours.
Is ICL surgery better than LASIK?
Now that EVO Visian ICL is available to patients, many are wondering “is ICL surgery better than LASIK?” If you’re choosing between ICL vs. LASIK, do note that there are pros and cons to both corrective surgeries. One is not innately better than the other.
However, there are some factors that make ICL more accessible to patients. For example, ICL is a better option for patients who have thin corneas, which can prevent someone from becoming a candidate for LASIK in Houston. The ICL lens is also removable, whereas LASIK surgery is permanent. On the other hand, LASIK can also correct farsightedness where EVO Visian ICL cannot.
When making big decisions related to your vision, you should always consult with your ophthalmologist, they will know which vision correction surgery is more suitable for you and your needs.
What is the success rate of ICL surgery?
According to many sources, the ICL procedure has a success rate of 99% with most patients experiencing almost immediate results, quick recovery time, and minimal downtime. The entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes and is virtually painless due to the numbing eye drops received before the surgery begins. This is all it takes for you to say goodbye to your glasses or contacts forever!
Eye Center of Texas is now offering the EVO Visian ICL vision correction surgery to patients
EVO Visian ICL is the latest in vision correction surgery. This groundbreaking and natural implantable lens can allow you to throw away your glasses or contacts and embrace a life of clearer, sharper vision in just 20-30 minutes. Eye Center of Texas is proud to be the first in Houston to offer this procedure to its patients. If you have any questions regarding EVO Visian ICL, our eye surgeons Dr. Wade and Dr. Ahmed will be happy to assist you. Call us at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today to try this new lens-based vision solution for yourself.
More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:
- When to See an Ophthalmologist for Eye Disease Diagnosis
- Do You Really Need an Annual Eye Exam?
- What Are The Signs of Cataracts in Women?
- Common Eye Problems in the Winter
- When To See an Eye Doctor
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
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Medical Office:
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Medical Fax:
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Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
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455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
346-547-7070
Medical Fax:
281-214-2971
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
936-647-1610
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620