Implantable Collamer Lens

Name: Cohen Eye Institute
Rating: 4.8

Dr. Ilan Cohen is the first surgeon in NYC and NJ to perform the innovative procedure with implantable collamer lenses.

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What is EVO ICL?

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery is a quick procedure that has freed millions of people from dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Whereas LASIK is a type of surgery that is performed on the cornea and modifies the cornea’s contour, ICL does not modify the cornea at all. Instead, a soft Collamer® lens is inserted inside the eye to permanently correct the vision. Dr. Cohen performed the first ICL surgery in the New York and New Jersey areas in 2008. This has been reported by media outlets such as ABC-7 and FOX News. He has been doing ICL surgery longer than any other surgeon in the Tri-state area. ICL has proven to be a safe, effective, and long-lasting alternative to laser eye surgery such as LASIK to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

The very first case of an ICL in New York was performed by Dr. Ilan Cohen

Dr. Cohen is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and has devoted his career to fine-tuning and perfecting surgical techniques that can change your vision and your life. This is perhaps the reason that more than 1,000 physicians have chosen him for the correction of their own vision.

What do I need to Know About ICL in Comparison to LASIK and PRK?

ICL is an intra-ocular procedure. The surgeon places the lens within the eye through a tiny incision.

LASIK, on the other hand, is an extra-ocular procedure, performed on the surface of the cornea without entering the eye.

There is a slightly higher risk of cornea-based procedures like LASIK causing damage to the cornea, especially when the prescription is higher.

ICL is safer for patients with higher prescriptions, thin or irregular corneas, and even for patients with severe dry eyes who are not suitable for LASIK.

LASIK is more suitable for patients with lower prescriptions. In addition, ICL is completely reversible as opposed to cornea-based procedures which remove tissue that cannot be replaced.

When it comes to vision correction, deciding what’s best for your eyes can be difficult. Based on over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cohen will advise you with your best interest in mind. In addition, you can learn about the differences between procedures and see if ICL is the right fit for you.

The ICL

The ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a lens implant that improves vision without altering corneal tissue, offering a great solution for those with thin corneas or severe nearsightedness.

LASIK

LASIK is a two-step laser vision correction surgery where a flap is made on the surface of the eye called the cornea, and the underlying layers are reshaped with an excimer laser to correct vision.

PRK

PRK is a laser vision procedure similar to LASIK but no corneal flap is created. The top layer of the cornea called epithelium is removed, and the underlying tissue is reshaped to correct vision.

What are the Benefits of ICL?

ICL surgery offers a very precise vision correction because the lens that is placed inside the eye can be customized exactly to the patient’s prescription.

The lens is made of Collamer®, a biocompatible material well tolerated by the eye. This reduces the risk of complications such as inflammation and infection. In addition, patients who undergo ICL gain a unique benefit: the Collamer® lens provides UV protection.

And because the lens is inserted into the eye, it does not need to be removed or cleaned. However, if the patient, for any reason, is not happy with the results of the surgery (a very rare event), ICL is fully reversible.

What Are The Risks of ICL?

Dr. Cohen will meet you personally prior to the procedure, he will perform a series of standard tests to measure your eyes’ unique characteristics and will explain the procedure and the risks as they pertain to your individual eyes.

He will also explore alternate options and will choose the option that is the safest for you, including not doing surgery at all.

Although rare, like any other surgery, there are some risks with ICL as well. The risks may include infection, cataracts, and glaucoma. With his extensive experience, Dr. Cohen is able to reduce any of these risk factors to a minimum.

Why Choose Us?

Dr. Cohen performed the first ICL surgery in the New York and New Jersey areas in 2008. At the time, Fox 5 News and ABC 7 reported on this important eye surgery milestone. Needless to say, Dr. Cohen has more years of experience with ICL surgery than any other surgeon in the Tri-state area.

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What Happens During ICL Surgery?

ICL is a procedure that typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes and is performed in Dr. Cohen’s surgical center, allowing you to return home shortly after the procedure. Dr. Cohen will administer eye drops that will dilate your pupils as well as numb your eyes so that you won’t be experiencing any pain.

Then a small incision is made in the cornea to insert the Collamer® lens. Collamer® is a collagen co-polymer that is biocompatible, stable, and flexible, enabling minimally invasive insertion and encouraging harmony with your natural eye.

What Can I Expect from Cohen Eye Institute?

Optimal results and our patients’ well-being guide our decision-making process. That’s why we take every patient through an extensive screening exam. The question we want to answer during the screening exam is “what is the optimal procedure that will provide you with the sharpest vision for the long term in the safest manner?” Once we have completed the screening exam, we recommend the best solution to you and only if you meet the stringent criteria that we have for ICL surgery, we will move forward and schedule a surgery appointment with you. If you would like to learn more about ICL and whether it is the right procedure for you, then contact the Cohen Eye Institute. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Cohen has helped thousands of patients from all over the world improve their vision.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

What Can I Expect from an ICL Implant

With ICL you are choosing a minimally invasive and short vision correction surgery that allows you to recover quickly. You can expect immediate vision improvement that doesn’t require the removal of corneal tissue or your natural lens. Instead, a Collamer® lens that works with the natural parts of your eye is added to your eye so that you only add to what your body already has.

Your eye stays completely intact – and the procedure is fully reversible in the very unlikely event that you should want to remove the lens. To insert the lens, the lens is folded and then adjusted to ensure proper positioning in the eye. This procedure does not require any sutures and heals naturally.

The lenses are easy to implant in the eye because of their soft and flexible structure. You won’t even notice the lens – only that your vision has greatly improved immediately after the insertion. Following the procedure and to ensure the best and safest outcomes, you will need to administer eye drops that support the healing process.