Is ICL a Better Option for Keratoconus?

Keratoconus affects the cornea as it starts thinning out and begins to bulge outwards in a conical shape. This makes the vision blurry and distorted. Initially, glasses or soft contact lenses can be used, although they help very little in advanced cases. One of the options is Implantable Collamer Lenses, or I've also heard about ICL – but is ICL a good option for keratoconus patients? We will work to dissect that.

What is ICL?

ICL, or Implantable Collamer Lens, is a thin, biocompatible lens that is surgically implanted in the space behind the iris. Unlike LASIK, no corneal tissue is excised in the procedure. Patients who suffer from keratoconus or those with irregularly shaped corneas will certainly benefit.

Why ICL Might Be a Good Choice for Keratoconus

ICL poses no risks to the cornea because, unlike LASIK, no incisions are made to the surface of the cornea, making ICL a better option for patients who suffer from advanced keratoconus.

Provides Adaptability – ICL, unlike LASIK, has the benefit that it can be removed or replaced if needed. This increases flexibility for any future necessary procedures.

ICL improves vision without side effects of glare and halos which are common after LASIK.

Built-in UV protection- The lens helps by blocking damaging UV rays that could hurt the eyes further. Reduced eyes harm is caused.

Suitable for high prescriptions – ICL has the ability to correct the severe cases of nearsightedness that are always present in a patient suffering with keratoconus.

Limitations of ICL for Keratoconus

Doesn’t treat keratoconus directly- The only function of ICL is to correct the issue in vision; it is not meant to manage the development of keratoconus.

Requires Stable Prescription- Since keratoconus is progressive, a patient should have a consistent eye prescription for at least one year and not have the condition deteriorate in order to put an ICL.

Potential Risks- These types of ICL surgery do have risks, less common, like increased ocular hypertensive stir, cataracts, and the risk of an infection.

Cost- In comparison to other alternatives for vision correction, ICL surgery proves to be costlier.

Other Treatment Options for Keratoconus

As stated, ICL is an option, but there are other treatments that could be more useful taking in mind the severity of keratoconus.

Corneal cross-linking (CXL)- A type of surgery designed to strengthen the cornea to prevent or slow progression of keratoconus.

Scleral contact lenses – These types of lenses are used to correct vision in cases of abnormal shape of the cornea and provide better vision.

Corneal transplant – When vision loss is sharp in extreme cases, a corneal transplant is required.

Is ICL Right for You?

For patients who suffer from severe nearsightedness and stable vision with keratoconus, ICL is an excellent alternative for those who do not qualify for LASIK. Although ICL does not halt the development of keratoconus, using it in conjunction with treatments like corneal cross-linking may yield better results in the long run. An experienced ophthalmologist should be consulted considering your condition for the next best steps to take. \n \nIn Conclusion : 

While ICL does not cure the ailment, it can significantly enhance vision for patients suffering from keratoconus. If you want to get vision correction treatment, other methods should be considered alongside ICL and patients should reach out to a specialist for the best treatment. The best treatment is usually one that combines different methods to give the patient the best possible results.