Toric Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)

[ralphine]

The implantable contact lens is a type of phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) used in the correction of eyes with high refractive errors, especially if the cornea is thin. PIOL are artificial lenses which are implanted in front of the natural lens of the eye and functions as a ?contact lens? within the eye affording high quality (high definition) vision. PIOLs are especially useful in certain patients who are not suitable for which laser refractive surgery like LASIK.
It can correct up to 2000 myopic and 500 astigmatism.

Info from SNEC website.

Any one planning to go for this and any idea on the pricing?

[D3stiny]

Found a quote on the price at Eagle Eye Centre. Almost double the cost of lasik! Check it out here.

Some FAQ at the Singlasik website too. Hths!

[amoureux]

anyone else went for this? or if u're not suitable for lasik, what r the alternatives u all went for? ICL is so costly!

[Dewy]

hi all

i am back from Dr Cheryl Lee clinic, Pacific Healthcare Eye, Cataract & Retina Specialist Clinic @ paragon for consultation of my chronic sensitive /dry eyes which many eye docs only managed to stop the symptons temporary with steriords drops and some other eye drops and artificial tears.

Dr Cheryl Lee prescribed me with Retasis eye drop, 2 weeks supply cost me like $80+! hopefully it will works.

on the other hand, i asked Dr Cheryl Lee for opinion on ICL since her speciality is in ICL, and NO lasik.

to sum up my impression of dr cheryl lee, she seems very friendly, approachable and willing to listen and solve the root of my problems. can be a bit strict sometimes when patients dun listen to her..haha..but can tell she wants her patients to recover la.

she is very against lasik cause lasik scrape of the cornea bla bla (anyway i'm rejected for lasik by Dr Leonard Ang of PLSC due to severe dry eyes, and recommended by him to go for ICL).

Dr Cheryl Lee says to confirm if i can go for ICL, i need to do a scan. i heard from the nurse that her clinic is the only one in Asia that has an ultrasound machine to determine how much space in your iris for the implantation of the lens.

having seen dr leonard ang from PLSC and dr cheryl lee from Pacific Healthcare , i am now at a loss to choose which doc for ICL.

Dr Leonard Ang -MANY positive reviews on his LASIK since years back; but so far nothing on ICL. wrote many books though and does 10-15 cases per month. Is also a retina specialist.

Dr Cheryl Lee - never heard of her before as her past 10 years of experience were based in overseas like Europe, been back in SG for 1 year +. gives talks on ICL, specialize in ICL (NO LASIK) and some other retina surgeries. Sees also 10-15 cases per month

argh! now dont know which doc to choose! both cost about the same. dr cheryl lee seems like a better choice for now as she has the ultrasound machine but dr leonard ang seems to be more popular for refractive surgery?

any advice is appreciated. thanks!

[mangosteens]

hi all

i am back from Dr Cheryl Lee clinic, Pacific Healthcare Eye, Cataract & Retina Specialist Clinic @ paragon for consultation of my chronic sensitive /dry eyes which many eye docs only managed to stop the symptons temporary with steriords drops and some other eye drops and artificial tears.

Dr Cheryl Lee prescribed me with Retasis eye drop, 2 weeks supply cost me like $80+! hopefully it will works.

on the other hand, i asked Dr Cheryl Lee for opinion on ICL since her speciality is in ICL, and NO lasik.

to sum up my impression of dr cheryl lee, she seems very friendly, approachable and willing to listen and solve the root of my problems. can be a bit strict sometimes when patients dun listen to her..haha..but can tell she wants her patients to recover la.

she is very against lasik cause lasik scrape of the cornea bla bla (anyway i'm rejected for lasik by Dr Leonard Ang of PLSC due to severe dry eyes, and recommended by him to go for ICL).

Dr Cheryl Lee says to confirm if i can go for ICL, i need to do a scan. i heard from the nurse that her clinic is the only one in Asia that has an ultrasound machine to determine how much space in your iris for the implantation of the lens.

having seen dr leonard ang from PLSC and dr cheryl lee from Pacific Healthcare , i am now at a loss to choose which doc for ICL.

Dr Leonard Ang -MANY positive reviews on his LASIK since years back; but so far nothing on ICL. wrote many books though and does 10-15 cases per month. Is also a retina specialist.

Dr Cheryl Lee - never heard of her before as her past 10 years of experience were based in overseas like Europe, been back in SG for 1 year +. gives talks on ICL, specialize in ICL (NO LASIK) and some other retina surgeries. Sees also 10-15 cases per month

argh! now dont know which doc to choose! both cost about the same. dr cheryl lee seems like a better choice for now as she has the ultrasound machine but dr leonard ang seems to be more popular for refractive surgery?

any advice is appreciated. thanks!

Hi,
from your review Dr Cheryl Lee sound better choice to me too.
Actually im lost at which treatment to go too -Lasik or ICL? I do not mind the cost as eyes are very important, im just tired at wearing glasses.

[lilfoot]

Just had my ICL on 8th Nov 2010.

I admit I didn't do enough research on the various doctors that offers ICL in Singapore. Mine was done by Dr. Leonard Ang.

I would regret it (not doing enough research) but thankfully it was complication free and I had 6/5 vision the very next day of surgery, and 6/6 right now... it's still in the recovery period right now so we'll see how it stabilizes as time goes.

The whole procedure cost me approximately $10k. I went ahead without looking at other doctors because of the sheer number of patients that Dr. Ang has seen and he claims that there so far has been zero complications, although he put the risk assessment as 96% success. I took the risk and thankfully everything went well so far.

If I had known about Dr. Cheryl Lee, I would definitely get a second opinion from her and then decide which doctor I feel more comfortable in. Since I've to pay so much, and it's my eyes we're talking about... caution is everything.

If you're considering between LASIK and ICL, it's a no-brainer. To me, the pros of ICL far outweighs both the pros and cons of LASIK. The major cons of ICL is:

1. Very expensive - LASIK with the most expensive options typically cost about $3-4k for both eyes, cheaper options are available. ICL cost me total $10k.

2. Earlier catracts - It was transpired that everyone will develop catracts when they get old, it's a matter of whether you live to that age when it happens. With ICL, I'm looking at an earlier of (the doctor said 'a few years' but I'm thinking more of) 5-10 years?

It was not an easy decision to make, right now I am very happy. And I hope in time to come, I will not regret my decision *touch wood*

Hope my input and experience help you to make a good decision too. Cheers!

[Dewy]

hi lilfoot

thanks for ur reply! whats make u go for ICL instead of LASIK? were u reject for lasik?
by the way was the surgery painful?

actually dr cheryl lee charges also around 10K..

i heard dr leonard ang is very good as well, just that i feel more comfortable with dr cheryl lee. i am seeing her soon for evaluation check up.. hope i am a suitable candidate for ICL.

[boy1314]

I have high myopia and planning to do ICL. I selected Eagle Eyes Center because Dr Julian Theng is experienced in implant surgery. My pre operative appointment is on 29 Nov. Hope I can go thru smoothly.

[Dewy]

i have an appt booked with dr cheryl lee this fri for assessment.

i have history of sensitive eyes, and the worst thing is once i wear contact lens for a day my eyes can suffer for months. recently it got better under dr cheryl's lee prescription for a month but 3 weeks ago i wore lens for only 1 day and up to 14 hours, my sensitives eyes all came back and recently was teary..zzzzz.

though last week i went to dr cheryl lee to check up on my eyes, she said they look fine and advised that i can go ahead with assessment if i want..the nurses also said my sensitivity has no impact on the results.

however i feel a bit kiasee ***...maybe i will postpone my surgery to 2~3 weeks later, which may mean staying at home during festive season for all i know i may cannot wear lens during that period.

should i postpone even though dr lee thought my eyes were OK to do an assessment (not yet do laser)? i dunno..i just want my eyes to be in good condition when though it is an accessment but i really hope to go out during xmas/ NYE with nice eyes..on the other hands it like my eyes and a 10K surgery, so i hope to really do everything at ease.

any advice ppl?

[lilfoot]

Dewy:

whats make u go for ICL instead of LASIK?
For me the choice is simple, I am not applicable for LASIK. I was earlier considering LASIK as it's much cheaper, but still quite keen on ICL due to the various pros. It has so much more direct advantages compared to LASIK. Then it got simple when no doctors deem my eyes suitable for LASIK, so the only option left is ICL.

was the surgery painful?
I feel the surgery is scary, but not painful. By contrast, the Laser PI was a much more painful process. I suppose you mean Laser Peripheral Iridotomy when you say you have yet to go for laser.

Surgery starts by injection of Local Anesthesia around the cheek or eye bag area (I can't really tell) and there is no pain whatever so after. I did feel a bit of cold fluid moving in my nasal or some cavity inside my face during the injection which is a really weird sensation. Sight during the operation is quite surreal, and is very much blinded by the very bright light anyway. I felt a lot of fluid being flushed on my eyes, eye being move in various directions by the tools used, but there's no painful feelings. It's more sight than touch kinda feeling.

The whole time I was quite scared, so was keeping my breath shallow to minimise movement (quite unnecessary actually, but I couldn't help it lol). After the surgery, all I can see is white. I couldn't move around without anyone helping me. Vision slowly returns over the next two hours that I am required to rest in the clinic. When I left for home, vision is still 80% white, I can make out general figures and is able to move about a little more confidently.

Do note that your gauge of time might be a little too optimistic.

It takes about 2 days to a week for Laser PI after assessment. After Laser PI, you need to wait two weeks for eye to stabilise before the surgery itself. Also, it takes two weeks to a month for the lens to arrive from Switzerland (depending on your luck if they have stock, mine took 5 weeks because they had to custom make one as the one I need ran out in their library). Post surgery, although you can expect 6/6 vision the very next day, anticipate about 1 week for you to feel comfortable and normal. It takes time getting used to it.

Even till today, 16 days post surgery, I'm still learning to get used to it.

I am unable to advice on your sensitive eyes but I wish you luck in your assessment and if you are going ahead with the surgery. Jia you!!

[Dewy]

hi lilfoot

thanks for ur reply, helps alot in my expecations.

wouldnt it be scary to see all white or 80% white after surgery? its like almost cannot see anything! then how do u make your way home?!

may i ask how come it takes about 2 days to a week for laser PI after assessment? the nurses at cheryl's lee clinic told me laser PI can be done on the same day as assessment cause ultimately u need to go back for review on the laser PI. is it because of dr ang's availability ***? just want to clarify..

is it also true that the holes created by the laser PI will be in ur eyes for life?

yes, i understand the lens take weeks to a month to arrive.

u still feeling some discomfort now? what type of discomfort is that?

once again thank you for sharing your information, definately very useful since very few ppl undergo this surgery.

[lilfoot]

Dewy:

It is. I was very worried actually, but the nurses and doctors assured me it's normal and will clear up eventually, which it did. It got better after a good night's sleep. In fact, I slept like a log the moment I reached home (3pm or so), after I had a good meal first of course. I had someone fetch me.

It's probably just Dr. Ang's schedule.

I'm not certain about the laser PI holes, Dr. Ang says it'll heal up and won't cause any effects, but what I read seems to say otherwise. Personally, I have experienced glares and flares ever since the PI. It got better eventually, until after the op, and now it's still around. Although the cause is of unknown cause to me (Dr. Ang says it's normal and that my eyes are still healing) I find the flares from bright lights quite annoying really, trying to live with it and really hope it'll go away over time.

I don't get dry eyes, but my right eye sometimes (happened about 4 times so far in 18 day) feels like there's something on the surface.. like an eyelash or dust.. but there's nothing. The only relief is using eyedrops and taking a 10 minute nap. I just finished my course of antibiotics and antiglaucoma eyedrops. Need to get some of those natural-tears ones soon for the rare times when I need some relief.

The muscles around my eyes feels very tired and strained constantly. I'm craving for a good face/eye massage. I do not squint, but it feels as it I've been using those muscles the whole day, sometimes as early as 4 hours after I start my day. I need to take breaks in between my day to rest the eyes and the facial muscles. I have no idea what is the cause.

It's my pleasure. I hope I had someone tell me all these before I went for mine too. The nerves! It's so unsettling lol.. Actually, it seems like quite a lot of people go for this procedure. On the day of my op alone I was told Dr. Ang had 2 other patients before me and 1 patient after doing ICL also. That's like 4 ICL surgeries in 1 day! Surprise much? :x

[Dewy]

shucks now that u described it, i feel scared..

erm pardon me for asking..but do u regret it?

but seriously..it seems like ICL win hands down over lasik.

how many days of leave did u take for the laser PI and for the ICL surgery?

[lilfoot]

Dewy:

What are you afraid of? :x

Not the least bit, at least not yet lol.. I have no idea how it'll be in the future, if something bad happens I might regret, but as far as now is concerned, I'm very happy and glad that I went for it.

Yes, it does seems so to me too.

I received 14 days worth of MC (the maximum) but I didn't utilise all.

[Dewy]

im afraid of the white light thingy and the whole surgery. but never mind la..i just go check up first then say.