EVO ICL™ & EVO Toric ICL™

At Aloha Laser Vision, our eye doctors are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in ophthalmology. By doing so, our team is proud to offer a variety of vision correction options from which to choose, including the innovative EVO ICL™ and EVO Toric ICL™procedures. Dr. Alan Faulkner was the first physician in the area certified to offer the original Visian ICL™ and has implanted more ICL lenses in the state over the past 17 years, earning Aloha Laser Vision a reputation throughout Hawaii as a center for excellence. Furthermore, Dr. Faulkner was one of the few surgeons in the country selected for the EVO ICL™ FDA study and his partner, Dr. Neda Nikpoor, was the first ophthalmologist in Hawaii to implant the premier FDA-approved EVO ICL™.

• What is the EVO ICL™?
• What is the EVO Toric ICL™?
• EVO ICL™ Advantages
• EVO ICL™ Candidates
• EVO Visian ICL™ FAQs

What is the EVO ICL™?

Select practices in the United States are now offering the EVO ICL™, which was approved by the FDA in March of 2022. The EVO ICL™, sometimes shortened to the “EVO lens,” is an upgraded version of the Visian ICL™, and while it shares many qualities with the original, it also offers advantages that the Visian ICL™ did not. For example, the EVO lens — like the Visian ICL™ — is a phakic intraocular lens that is placed between the iris and natural lens to correct the blurred vision associated with myopia, or nearsightedness. Like the original Visian ICL™, the EVO lens does not replace the eye’s natural lens but rather serves as a supplement. The EVO lens is removable and, unlike LASIK eye surgery, the procedure does not permanently alter the eye’s structure.

Unlike the original Visian ICL™, the EVO lens does not require a preoperative peripheral iridotomy — or the creation of a hole in the iris — for placement. As such, the procedure is typically shorter and less invasive than treatments associated with other implantable lenses.

Prior to its approval for American usage, the EVO lens had an extremely high patient satisfaction rating, with 99.4% of patients saying they would undergo the treatment again. This advanced update is rapidly earning the EVO ICL™ a reputation as the most sought-after ICL in the world.

What is the EVO Toric ICL™?

In September of 2018, the FDA approved the Visian Toric ICL™ (also called the TICL™), which is an Implantable Collamer^® Lens designed to correct for myopic astigmatism. The introduction of this new lens to American patients greatly broadens the spectrum of candidates who can benefit from vision correction with an ICL. Now patients with myopic astigmatism, who are not suitable for LASIK or another refractive procedure, may choose to consider the TICL™ as an effective way to reduce their dependence on corrective contact lenses and glasses.

Advantages of the EVO Visian ICL™ & EVO Toric ICL™

In addition to the fact that the EVO ICL™ is not permanent, many of our Hawaii patients appreciate the procedure’s simplicity. The EVO lens requires no maintenance and is entirely undetectable to both the patient and the casual observer. The EVO lens is also more versatile than other methods of vision correction, with the capacity to correct a wider range of myopia prescriptions than LASIK or PRK.

The EVO ICL™ is also an attractive option for patients who are concerned about safety. Made of Collamer^®, a biocompatible substance found naturally in the body’s connective tissue, the EVO lens is not recognized as a foreign substance by the body, thus reducing the risk of an adverse reaction. Furthermore, the EVO lens has undergone rigorous testing by the FDA and other clinical research groups, and has been so far placed successfully in over 1,000,000+ eyes around the world.

Candidates for the EVO ICL™& EVO Toric ICL™

You are probably a good candidate for the EVO ICL™ OR EVO Toric ICL™ if:

• You suffer from mild to severe myopia (with or without astigmatism)
• You are between 21 and 45 years old
• You have shown proper anterior chamber depth and adequate eye tissue cell density during your comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Faulkner or Dr. Nikpoor
• Your eyeglass prescription has been stable for the last year
• You do not have allergies to any of the medications used during refractive surgery
• You are not pregnant
• You have relatively good ocular health
• You do not suffer from glaucoma

EVO ICL™ & EVO Toric ICL™ FAQs

Patients considering the EVO ICL™ or EVO Toric ICL™ often have many questions about the implant and placement procedure before deciding to proceed with treatment. To help you get as much information as possible, we have provided answers to many of the most common questions Dr. Faulkner and Dr. Nikpoor receive from patients regarding Implantable Collamer^® Lenses:

• What does ICL stand for?
• How long does the EVO ICL™ last?
• What is the EVO ICL™ made of?
• Does the EVO ICL™ require any maintenance?
• Can the EVO ICL™ be removed?
• Does the EVO ICL™ replace my natural lens?
• What should I expect during the procedure to place the EVO ICL™?
• How long after placement of the EVO ICL™ will I notice improvement in my vision?
• Will I still need glasses or contacts with the EVO ICL™?
• Will I be able to feel or see the EVO ICL™ in my eye?
• Is the EVO ICL™ right for me?

What does ICL stand for?

The “ICL” in EVO ICL™ stands for “Implantable Collamer^® Lens.” However, as a more general term, ICL can also stand for “implantable contact lens.”

How long does the EVO ICL™ last?

The EVO lens is meant to provide lasting vision correction. It is designed to remain inside of the eye long-term, unless circumstances arise in which the lens must be removed or replaced.

What is the EVO ICL™ made of?

The EVO ICL™ is made of Collamer^® — a soft, flexible, biocompatible material. The name “Collamer^®” is a combination of the words “collagen,” a substance found naturally in the body, and “polymer.” The material’s proprietary composition of purified collagen allows it to feel natural and function reliably within the eye.

Does the EVO ICL™ require any maintenance?

There is no additional maintenance required with the EVO ICL™ beyond annual checkups with an eye care professional to monitor eye health.

Can the EVO ICL™ be removed?

If necessary, the EVO ICL™ can easily be removed from the eye by your surgeon. The lens can also be replaced with another type of lens implant during the same procedure, if desired.

Does the EVO ICL™ replace my natural lens?

The EVO ICL™ does not replace the eye’s natural lens; rather, it supplements the natural lens to correct vision.

What should I expect during the EVO ICL™ procedure?

The procedure to place the EVO ICL™ is typically quick and virtually painless. The majority of patients report being very comfortable throughout the placement process, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Generally, both eyes are treated at the same time. To begin, a light sedative may be administered to relax you and anesthetic drops are applied to numb the eye. The EVO ICL™ is placed through a very small opening and positioned behind the iris, in front of the eye’s natural lens. The unique design of the EVO lens helps it remain in place without further care. Once placement is complete, stitches are usually not necessary to close the opening.

How long after placement of the EVO ICL™ will I notice improvement in my vision?

Patients typically notice an improvement in vision immediately after placement.

Will I still need glasses or contacts with the EVO ICL™?

Patients who receive the EVO ICL™ can expect to see as well as they see in glasses or contacts, and many are able to achieve clear, 20/20 vision. For patients with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) reading glasses will still be necessary for close vision, though many of these patients opt for monovision to reduce their dependence on reading glasses. If vision changes over time, contact lenses and glasses can be used to provide additional correction. It is also possible to replace the EVO ICL™ if vision changes significantly.

Will I be able to feel or see the EVO ICL™ in my eye?

Once in place, the EVO ICL™ is virtually undetectable by sight and feel. Only a trained eye care professional using special equipment will be able to notice the presence of your lens.

Is the EVO ICL™ right for me?

If you believe you may be a good candidate for the EVO ICL™, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Faulkner or Dr. Nikpoor. During your appointment, they will perform a comprehensive eye exam and vision analysis and discuss the best options available for improving your vision.

At Aloha Laser Vision, we believe that residents of Hawaii should be able to enjoy the full spectrum of the island’s beauty and unique lifestyle. By investing in the EVO ICL™, EVO Toric ICL™, or another vision correction procedure, you are investing in your freedom to pursue all that Hawaii has to offer. Snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, nature hikes, and more can now be enjoyed without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

To learn more about the EVO ICL™ and the EVO Toric ICL™, contact our office today.

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*Individual Results May Vary