EVO ICL – October 2023

EVO ICL

I noticed there wasn't too much information being posted on the ICL procedure so I decided to post my experience, hopefully this will help someone.

Location: Berkeley Eye Center – Katy

Total cost: $9300; includes 6 months follow up and 1 year for any other adjustments

I initially went for a free consult to see if I qualified for LASIK, I do not. My astigmatism is/was way too high and while my corneas are thick, it wasn't safe for them to do LASIK because they would be burning too much off. I was given the option to go with EVO ICL. ICL stands for implantable collamer lens, basically, they're putting a contact lenses in your eye and you're good for the next decade. I decided not to make an appointment yet, wanting to do my research and discuss it with my family and partner. It's a pretty lump sum upfront so I did have to make plans to save. I ultimately decided to go ahead with the procedure and made my evaluation appointment for early Oct.

Evaluation: $400 (this was part of the total cost) Saw two doctors, Dr. Jeong and Dr. Doe. Went through tests to check the eyes. Dr. Jeong checked my prescription before and after dilation and said that they will use my prescription after dilation. Then I saw Dr. Doe and he finalized what size the lenses needed to be and gave me the run down and side effects of the procedure. I asked Dr. Doe , the day of my procedure, and he said they use the prescription after dilation is because our eyes are always trying to focus and so the dilated prescription is the more accurate.

Day of: Arrived for check at 6AM, I wasn’t the only one there but the only one for EVO ICL. Checked in, waited for about 45 minutes. Once I was called back, they did a pregnancy test to make sure I wasn’t pregnant (due to my age). Gave me some numbing eye drops, then dilated my eyes. After a couple more minutes, they gave me more numbing eye drops. Dr. Doe came by and marked my eyes for placement and by 7AM, I was getting wheeled back to where they would be operating. The anesthesiologist said that they would be giving me a IV drop that would help me relax. And before I knew it, I was feeling really good.

The Dr did give me some direction while he was operating. Often times it was “look at the three lights” or “look up”. He started with the left eye (no reason behind it, just because he always starts with the left eye). There was some down time after he finished my left eye. I'm not sure what happened but I started twitching and overall getting nervous so I was giving more IV. After I meddled out, Dr. started on the right eye. By the time I got wheeled back to the recovery room, I asked for the time and it was only 8:11AM. I was still feel good so the nurses talked my driver, gave her directions about my eye drops and wheeled me out to the car.

After coming home, I ate breakfast and immediately fell asleep. I was woken up to get to my 11AM follow up and I saw another doctor, Dr. Davis. They checked my eye pressure (which he said was great), looked at the placement of the lens, and checked my vision which was current at 20/40. He said that was really good for just a couple hours after the procedure so I’ll take it. He also mentioned that the blurriness will continue until my eyes have adjusted.

After the appointment, I was actually going around and running some errands with my friend and didn’t get home until later, where I napped until around dinner time. I’m not experiencing any dry eyes, light flares in my vision at all. The only time I’m seeing the halos is when I look directly into the light, which I try not to do.

Next day follow up: Went for my next day follow up. Saw Dr. Jeong again, got my vision tested and they’re now at 20/30 both eyes. Together slightly 20/20. Mentioned that today my vision will fluctuate, going in and out of blurriness. So while I can technically drive, I shouldn’t. He did check the placement of the lenses and did mention that my corneas are swollen but he said that’s normal and if I’m following my directions of my eye drops everything is going according to plan. I’ll see him back in one week.

One week follow up: Came back from my one week follow up. Tested my vision and I’m officially 20/20! Eye pressure is very good. There’s still some swelling but Dr. Chou said that was very normal as it has only been one week. I did mention that when I put in my drops, that my eyes burn and she said that’s because my eyes are dry and to start using artificial tears. I also mention that I drove the night before and that there were halos when the light hit my eyes a certain way. She advised that halos are normal and my eyes will adjust and they will go away but for now because it's weird, I should avoid driving at night if I can. Asked about wearing makeup/getting lash extensions – she said it’ll be fine to start wearing makeup again but to be careful not to rub my eyes when removing eye makeup.

I do have my one month follow up in about two weeks and I'll be back to update then!