ICL surgery2024-07-10T08:31:41+00:00

Transform your vision with ICL surgery in Cape Town

Implantable contact lenses offer a revolutionary solution for clear vision without glasses or contacts, ideal for those who aren’t candidates for laser eye surgery.

Transform your vision with ICL surgery in Cape Town

ICL surgery offers a revolutionary solution for clear vision without glasses or contacts, ideal for those who aren’t candidates for laser eye surgery

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As seen in

Discover ICL surgery: Your path to clear vision

Explore how implantable contact lenses offer freedom from glasses and contacts

ICL surgery suitability criteria

ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) surgery is suitable for individuals who:

  • Are between the ages of 21 and 45.
  • Have stable vision with a prescription that falls within specific limits.
  • Are not suitable candidates for LASIK or PRK due to extreme nearsightedness, thin corneas, or other factors.
  • Have healthy eyes without diseases like glaucoma or cataracts.
  • Are looking for a reversible vision correction option.

Implantable contact lenses sit between the natural lens of the eye and the iris. They work in a similar way to traditional contact lenses by focusing light through the lens and onto the retina, correcting the vision.

Advantages:

  • Alternative to laser eye surgery: ICLs are a good treatment if laser eye surgery isn’t right for you or if you have very bad eyesight.
  • Reversible: Recovery after ICL surgery is faster than laser eye surgery, and you can change it back if needed.

Disadvantages:

  • Age limitations: We only suggest ICLs for people aged 18 to 50.
  • Regular check ups needed: You need to go for regular check-ups every year.

ICL surgery, like any surgery, carries rare risks that we will explain in detail during your consultation. These include the lens rotating, blocking the pupil, detached retina, and higher eye pressure (IOP). These complications are rare but important to discuss to ensure you have all the information you need before making a decision.

We offer ICL surgery in cases where corneal refractive surgery is not appropriate or is unsafe.

The alternative would be to use glasses or contact lenses and not proceed with surgery.

We implant ICLs on an outpatient procedure that takes less than 30 minutes.

ICL surgery involves several key steps to correct vision effectively:

  • Step 1: Before surgery, your eye will be numbed with special drops. An incision is made at the edge of the cornea to insert the lens.
  • Step 2: A tiny, foldable lens is inserted through the incision and placed behind the iris, where it rests permanently.
  • Step 3: The lens is positioned correctly to correct your refractive error, whether nearsightedness or astigmatism.
  • Step 4: Post-surgery, you’ll rest briefly before leaving with instructions for follow-up care and check-ups to monitor healing and vision improvement.

ICLs give great visual acuity results. In one study, ICL’s were placed in the eyes of patients who were US military warfighters: 3 months after surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 96% of patients.

In STAAR surgical study, ICLs were implanted into 369 eyes, and the results were exceptional. For example, 95% of the patients with good pre-operative visual acuity targeted for emmetropia (zero postoperative correction) had uncorrected visual acuities of 20/40 or better, and 57% had uncorrected visual acuity acuities better than their best-corrected visual acuity preoperatively. In addition, 38% gained one line on a standard eye chart of BSCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity), and 10.8% gained two or more lines on a standard eye chart of BSCVA.1Staar.com. 2021. Investigator Reports 99.4% Patient Satisfaction Rate as Part of First Three Year Follow Up Results on STAAR Surgical’s Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) for Myopia – Staar Surgical.

Not sure if you qualify for SMILE?

Book a free video call to uncover the potential for crystal-clear vision. Most people assume they are either definitely a candidate or definitely not. The screening usually surprises people either way.

Not sure if you qualify for SMILE?

Book a free video appointment to uncover the potential for crystal-clear vision. Most people assume they are either definitely a candidate or definitely not. The screening usually surprises people either way.

3 simple steps to unlock your vision’s full potential

Navigating the world of laser eye surgery can feel like a maze. We’ve streamlined the process, making your path to clear vision simple

Tell us about your eyes

Wondering if laser eye surgery is your ticket to a life without glasses or contacts? The journey begins here. Connect with our welcoming team via +27 79 686 6565 for Foreshore & Blaauwberg or +27 21 802 2853 for Somerset West or effortlessly book your free video call online. It’s your first step towards clarity.

Come in for a screening

Your ophthalmologist maps your cornea, measures your prescription, and assesses whether SMILE, or any procedure,  is appropriate for your eyes. This is where suitability is confirmed. Cost of the screening will be given when you book.

Decide with full information

If you are a candidate and choose to go ahead, your ophthalmologist will walk through the procedure, the risks, what to expect, and the full cost in writing. Surgery is only scheduled once you are satisfied and have given informed consent.

What patients at Atlantic Eye Laser Centre have said

These are patient accounts. Experiences and outcomes differ between individuals.

We answer your questions about vision correction treatment in Cape Town

Get a quick overview of everything you need to know about restoring your vision

See your future clearly, without the frames

Laser eye surgery isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Your eyes and your lifestyle play a big part. Ready to see which type suits you? Take this 2-min self-test and find out.

See your future clearly, explore all your options

Laser eye surgery isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Your eyes and your lifestyle play a big part. Ready to see which type suits you? Take this 2-min quiz and find out.

Hi, I’m Daemon McClunan

I’m proud to be the founder of both the Atlantic Eye Centre, a leading eye specialist centre; and LIQID Medical Pty, an award-winning biotech company. My passion for research and innovation has led me to create four patented devices, and earn various prestigious awards during my specialist training.

With a medical degree from Stellenbosch University, a specialist degree from the University of Cape Town, and experience working in renowned Laser Eye Surgery centres in Canada, Germany, India and London, I’m dedicated to providing top-tier care.

Beyond the clinic, I’ve embarked on humanitarian missions, travelling over 15,000km by motorbike to provide rural eye screenings. In my downtime, I love mountain biking, diving, and spending quality time with my family.

My goal is to provide a world-class service which ensures every patient leaves my practice feeling happier than when they first walked in.

Dr Daemon McClunan

MBChB(SU), DipOphth(SA), MMed(UCT), FcOphth(SA)

How to find us in Cape Town
How to reach us

Dr James Beatty

Dr Daemon McClunan

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