What Type of Anaesthesia Is Used for ICL Surgery? (Explained)

You may assume that eye surgery requires general anaesthesia, but that’s not the case with ICL surgery. The procedure is typically performed using local anaesthesia in the form of numbing eye drops, which keep your eye comfortable without affecting your awareness. You’ll remain awake throughout, but you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. This approach allows the surgeon to work with precision while keeping you relaxed.

General anaesthesia is rarely required because ICL surgery is quick and minimally invasive. Using only local anaesthesia reduces the risks associated with being put to sleep and avoids the longer recovery time that general anaesthesia often involves. It also means you can return to normal activities more quickly after the procedure.

This method makes the overall experience safer, simpler, and more efficient. By avoiding unnecessary sedation, your body recovers faster, and the process feels more straightforward. For most patients, this approach provides the right balance of comfort and safety.

How Numbing Eye Drops Work

You should understand that numbing eye drops are specifically designed to block sensation on the surface of your eye. They act very quickly, often within seconds, to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Although you may still be aware of light or gentle pressure, the sharp sensation of pain is effectively removed.

Once applied, the drops temporarily reduce the sensitivity of the nerves in your cornea. This allows your surgeon to carry out the procedure with precision while keeping you comfortable. The effect is localised, meaning it only affects the eye and does not impact your overall awareness or alertness.

The numbing effect is strong enough to last throughout the surgery, which is typically quite short. If needed, additional drops can be applied to maintain comfort. This ensures you remain relaxed and pain-free from start to finish.

What You Will Feel During the Procedure

You might feel a bit anxious about what the procedure will actually be like, especially if you’ve never had eye surgery before. The reassuring part is that you won’t feel pain, as numbing eye drops are used to keep your eye comfortable throughout. However, you may still notice mild sensations such as gentle pressure, slight movement, or changes in light. These are completely normal and expected during the process.

No pain due to numbing drops: Your eye is fully numbed before the procedure begins, so you shouldn’t feel any sharp pain. This helps keep you comfortable from start to finish.
Mild pressure sensations: You may feel light pressure at certain moments, which can feel unusual but not painful. It’s simply part of how the eye is held steady during treatment.
Awareness of light or movement: You might notice changes in light or subtle movements, even though your vision is being carefully controlled. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
A quick and manageable experience: The procedure itself is relatively fast, which helps keep any sensations brief and easy to tolerate. Most people are surprised by how quick it feels overall.

Understanding these sensations in advance can make a big difference to how relaxed you feel on the day. When you know what’s normal, it becomes easier to stay calm and comfortable throughout. This helps the procedure feel more straightforward and much less intimidating than you might expect.

Why You Stay Awake During Surgery

You may wonder why you’re kept awake during ICL surgery, especially if you associate surgery with being fully asleep. In this case, staying awake actually plays an important role in the success of the procedure. You’ll be asked to follow simple instructions, such as looking at a specific light, which helps guide the surgeon.

This cooperation allows the surgeon to position the lens with a high level of accuracy. Because your eye can respond naturally, it gives better control during each step of the procedure. The combination of your focus and the surgeon’s precision helps achieve the best possible alignment.

Being awake ultimately contributes to both safety and effectiveness. It avoids the risks linked to general anaesthesia while allowing for a more controlled and efficient process. For most patients, this approach makes the experience smoother and more reassuring.

The Role of Mild Sedation

You might feel nervous before surgery, which is completely normal, especially if it’s your first time undergoing a procedure like this. To help you feel more at ease, mild sedation may sometimes be offered. This is designed to relax you without making you fully unconscious.

The sedation does not put you to sleep but helps reduce anxiety and tension. You’ll remain aware and able to follow simple instructions, but you’ll likely feel calmer and less focused on the procedure itself. Many patients describe it as feeling relaxed and comfortable rather than drowsy or disconnected.

Sedation is entirely optional and tailored to your individual needs. If you feel confident without it, you may not need it at all. The goal is simply to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible while maintaining safety and control.

How Long the Anaesthesia Lasts

You should know that the numbing effect of the eye drops is designed to last for the full duration of the procedure. ICL surgery is typically very quick, often completed within minutes, so the anaesthesia comfortably covers the entire process. This ensures you remain pain-free from start to finish.

After the surgery is complete, the sensation in your eye gradually returns as the anaesthetic wears off. You may notice this happening over the next few hours, as normal feeling slowly comes back. During this time, your eyes may feel slightly different, but this is a normal part of recovery.

The temporary nature of the anaesthesia is actually beneficial. Because it doesn’t linger for long, your eyes can begin recovering naturally without delay. This supports a quicker and smoother post-operative experience.

Why General Anaesthesia Is Rarely Used

You might wonder why general anaesthesia isn’t commonly used for ICL surgery. The main reason is that it adds more risk and requires a longer recovery time, which isn’t necessary for a quick, minimally invasive procedure like this. In most cases, using it would increase complexity without offering any real benefit. That’s why surgeons typically avoid it unless there’s a very specific reason.

Higher risk compared to local anaesthesia: General anaesthesia affects your whole body, not just your eye. This naturally carries more risk than targeted numbing drops, especially for a short and precise procedure.
Longer recovery time: Waking up from general anaesthesia can leave you feeling groggy and tired. With eye drops instead, you can recover quickly and return to normal activities much sooner.
Local anaesthesia is more than enough: Numbing eye drops provide full comfort during the procedure. You remain awake, but you won’t feel pain, only mild sensations if anything at all.
Better control during surgery: Being awake allows you to follow simple instructions, which helps your surgeon maintain accuracy and precision throughout the procedure.

Avoiding general anaesthesia is actually a clear advantage in most cases. It makes the process safer, simpler, and more efficient while keeping recovery time short. Overall, it helps ensure a smoother and more convenient experience for you from start to finish.

Safety of Local Anaesthesia

You should feel reassured that local anaesthesia in the form of numbing eye drops is considered very safe. It has been used for many years across a wide range of eye procedures, including cataract and laser surgeries. Because it acts only on the surface of the eye, it avoids the broader risks associated with full-body anaesthesia.

Complications are extremely rare when the drops are administered correctly. The process is straightforward, carefully controlled, and well understood by experienced surgeons. You’re closely monitored throughout, which adds an extra layer of safety and reassurance.

This makes local anaesthesia a highly reliable choice for ICL surgery. It provides effective comfort while keeping the procedure simple and low-risk. For most patients, it offers the ideal balance between safety, control, and a smooth recovery experience.

Preparing for Anaesthesia on the Day

You may be given specific instructions before your procedure to help everything go as smoothly as possible. This can include avoiding eye makeup, contact lenses, or certain medications that might affect your eyes on the day. These steps are simple but important in preparing your eyes for treatment.

Following these instructions helps ensure that the anaesthesia works effectively and that your eye surface is in the best possible condition. A clean, stable surface allows the numbing drops to act properly and supports a more controlled procedure. It also reduces the risk of irritation or complications during surgery.

Preparation plays a key role in the overall success of your treatment. By taking these steps seriously, you help create the ideal conditions for both comfort and precision. This sets the foundation for a smooth experience and a better recovery afterwards.

Managing Anxiety Before Surgery

You might feel anxious about the idea of eye surgery, which is completely understandable. Even if the procedure is quick and routine, it’s natural to feel uncertain about something involving your eyes. Knowing that the surgery is designed to be painless, with effective numbing in place, can help ease some of that concern.

Your surgical team will guide you through each step on the day, explaining what’s happening and what you may feel. This ongoing reassurance helps you stay calm and confident throughout the process. You’re not left guessing everything is clearly communicated as it happens.

Clear communication makes a big difference to your overall experience. When you understand what to expect, it reduces fear and builds trust. This allows you to relax more, which in turn helps the procedure go smoothly and comfortably.

The Importance of Staying Still

You should understand that staying still during the procedure plays an important role in making sure everything goes smoothly. Because your eye is numbed, you won’t feel pain, which makes it much easier for you to stay relaxed and comfortable. You’ll also be guided throughout the process, so you’re never left unsure about what you need to do. This support helps you feel more at ease from start to finish.

Comfort is supported by numbing drops: Since your eye is fully numbed, you can stay calm without worrying about pain. This makes it easier for you to remain steady during the procedure.
Simple instructions guide you throughout: Your surgeon may ask you to look at a light or keep your gaze steady for short periods. These instructions are easy to follow and help keep everything precise.
Mild sensations won’t affect cooperation: You might notice slight pressure or movement, but these feelings are gentle and won’t stop you from following instructions or staying relaxed.
Your stillness supports surgical accuracy: Even small movements matter during eye surgery, so your ability to stay steady helps your surgeon work with greater precision and confidence.

Your role is simple, but it’s still important. By staying calm and following instructions, you help create the best possible conditions for a smooth and accurate procedure. This teamwork between you and your surgeon plays a key part in achieving a safe, efficient, and successful outcome.

What Happens Immediately After Surgery

You may notice some mild sensations as the anaesthesia begins to wear off shortly after surgery. This can include slight discomfort, a feeling of awareness in the eye, or a mild gritty sensation. These effects are a normal part of the transition as your eye returns to its usual sensitivity.

These feelings are typically short-lived and remain quite mild for most people. As your eye starts to recover, any discomfort usually settles quickly, often within the first few hours. You may also find that keeping your eyes rested during this time helps improve comfort.

Post-operative care plays an important role in managing this phase effectively. Using your prescribed eye drops and following your surgeon’s instructions will help reduce irritation and support healing. With proper care, this early recovery period tends to pass smoothly and without concern.

Post-Surgery Eye Drops

You should expect to use prescribed eye drops after your procedure, as they play a key role in your recovery. These drops help prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and keep your eyes properly lubricated while they heal. Using them consistently supports a smoother and more comfortable healing process.

It’s important to understand that these are different from the anaesthetic drops used during surgery. Instead of numbing the eye, they are designed to protect and stabilise the ocular surface during recovery. Each type of drop has a specific purpose, and together they help create the best conditions for healing.

Following your instructions carefully is essential for achieving the best results. This includes using the drops at the recommended times and for the full duration advised by your surgeon. Staying consistent with your aftercare routine makes a significant difference to both your comfort and your final visual outcome.

Vision Immediately After the Procedure

You might experience blurred or slightly hazy vision immediately after surgery, and this is completely normal. It is not caused by the anaesthesia itself, but rather by the eye adjusting to the procedure and beginning its healing process. Your vision may feel inconsistent at first, but this is expected in the early recovery stage.

As your eye settles and starts to heal, your vision will gradually become clearer. Most patients notice a noticeable improvement within a relatively short period, with continued refinement over the following days or weeks. The speed of improvement can vary, but the overall trend is steady progress.

Patience is important during this stage, as your visual system needs time to fully stabilise. Following your post-operative instructions and allowing your eyes to rest will support a smoother recovery and more consistent results.

When Sensation Fully Returns

You should expect full sensation to return within a few hours after surgery as the anaesthetic wears off naturally. This is a gradual process, and you may notice small changes in how your eye feels as sensitivity slowly comes back.

Once sensation fully returns, your eye may feel slightly sensitive or a little different from usual. This is completely normal and simply reflects that your eye is beginning its healing process. You might also notice mild irritation or awareness, but this is usually short-lived.

These symptoms are temporary and very manageable. With the use of prescribed eye drops and proper rest, any discomfort typically settles quickly. Following your aftercare instructions will help ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery.

Differences From Other Eye Procedures

You may compare ICL surgery with other eye procedures that use different forms of anaesthesia. Unlike more invasive surgeries, ICL relies on topical anaesthesia in the form of numbing eye drops to keep you comfortable throughout. This means you avoid injections or general anaesthesia in most cases.

This approach makes the overall experience feel simpler and less intimidating. Because you remain awake and the eye is only numbed on the surface, the process is easier on your body and typically involves less downtime. You can recover more quickly compared to procedures that require deeper sedation.

The use of topical anaesthesia is designed with both safety and efficiency in mind. It allows your surgeon to maintain full control during the procedure while keeping your experience as comfortable and low-stress as possible.

Why Patients Find It Comfortable

You might be surprised by how comfortable patients find the procedure once they experience it. Most people report little to no pain during ICL surgery, with only mild awareness of light, pressure, or movement. What often feels most surprising is how manageable the whole experience is compared to what they expected beforehand.

Effective numbing keeps you pain-free: Numbing eye drops ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. This allows you to stay calm and comfortable throughout, even while the surgery is taking place.
Mild sensations are normal and expected: You may notice gentle pressure or changes in light, but these sensations are not painful. Most people describe them as unusual rather than uncomfortable.
A calm and controlled environment helps: The surgical setting is designed to be steady, quiet, and highly controlled. This helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier for you to relax during the procedure.
Clear guidance throughout the process: You’re supported with simple instructions at every stage, so you always know what’s happening. This reassurance helps remove uncertainty and makes the experience feel smoother.

Comfort is a major focus in modern eye surgery, and everything is designed to keep stress to a minimum. As a result, many patients are pleasantly surprised by how straightforward and easy the procedure feels. What often seemed intimidating beforehand usually turns out to be far more comfortable and manageable in reality.

Recovery Without Sedation Effects

You should appreciate that avoiding general anaesthesia allows for a much quicker and smoother recovery after ICL surgery. Because you remain awake and only have numbing eye drops, you won’t experience grogginess, dizziness, or the lingering effects that can come with being fully sedated.

This means you can return home shortly after the procedure once your surgeon confirms everything is stable. You’ll be alert and able to follow aftercare instructions properly, which helps you settle into recovery more comfortably. There’s also less disruption to your normal routine compared to procedures that require deeper anaesthesia.

A faster recovery is a major benefit of this approach. It keeps the experience simple, efficient, and easier to manage, allowing you to focus on healing rather than recovering from sedation.

The Importance of Expert Care

You should always ensure your procedure is carried out by an experienced specialist. Proper administration of local anaesthesia is essential for both your comfort and safety, and it requires precision and familiarity with the technique.

Your surgical team will monitor you closely throughout the entire process, checking that you remain comfortable and that everything is progressing as expected. This continuous oversight helps ensure that any adjustments can be made immediately if needed, keeping the procedure smooth and controlled.

Expert care plays a major role in making the experience reassuring. When you’re in the hands of a skilled team, you can feel more confident that every step is being managed carefully, from anaesthesia to completion.

FAQs:

What type of anaesthesia is used for ICL surgery?
You’ll usually have local anaesthesia in the form of numbing eye drops. These keep your eye comfortable so you don’t feel pain during the procedure. You remain awake, but fully relaxed and aware. General anaesthesia is rarely needed.
Will you feel anything during ICL surgery?
You won’t feel pain thanks to the anaesthetic eye drops. However, you may notice mild pressure, light, or movement. These sensations are normal and not uncomfortable. Most people find the experience surprisingly manageable.
Do you stay awake during the procedure?
Yes, you stay awake throughout ICL surgery. This helps you follow simple instructions, such as looking at a light. It also allows the surgeon to work with greater precision. You’re fully supported the entire time.
Is sedation used during ICL surgery?
Mild sedation can be offered if you feel anxious, but it’s optional. It won’t put you to sleep, but it helps you feel calm and relaxed. Many patients don’t need it at all. It’s tailored to your comfort level.
Why isn’t general anaesthesia used?
General anaesthesia is rarely used because ICL surgery is quick and minimally invasive. Local anaesthetic eye drops are enough to keep you comfortable. It also avoids the risks and longer recovery associated with being fully asleep. This makes the process simpler and safer.
How long does the anaesthetic last?
The numbing effect lasts for the entire procedure, which is usually only a short time. Once surgery is complete, sensation returns gradually over a few hours. You may notice mild awareness as it wears off. This is completely normal.
Is local anaesthesia safe for eye surgery?
Yes, it’s very safe and widely used in eye procedures. It only affects the surface of your eye, not your whole body. Complications are extremely rare when used correctly. You’re also monitored throughout for added safety.
What will you feel immediately after surgery?
As the anaesthetic wears off, you may feel slight discomfort or grittiness. This is usually mild and short-lived. Your vision may also be a little blurry at first. These effects settle as your eye begins to heal.
Can you go home after ICL surgery?
Yes, you can usually go home shortly after the procedure. You’ll be alert and able to follow aftercare instructions. Since there’s no general anaesthesia, recovery is quicker. Most people return to normal routines quite soon.
Why do surgeons prefer keeping you awake?
Staying awake helps you follow simple instructions during surgery. This improves precision when placing the lens. It also avoids unnecessary risks linked to general anaesthesia. Overall, it makes the procedure safer and more controlled.

Final Thoughts: Comfort and Clarity During ICL Surgery

You should feel reassured that ICL surgery is designed to be as comfortable, safe, and straightforward as possible, with local anaesthetic eye drops ensuring you remain pain-free throughout the procedure. By avoiding general anaesthesia in most cases, the process becomes quicker, lower risk, and easier to recover from, while still allowing your surgeon to work with excellent precision. Mild sensations such as light pressure or awareness are normal, but they are typically brief and very manageable.

Understanding how anaesthesia works can help you feel far more relaxed on the day, especially when you know exactly what to expect from start to finish. With expert care, clear communication, and a well-controlled surgical environment, most patients are surprised by how simple and comfortable the experience actually is. If you’re considering vision correction options, exploring ICL surgery in London can help you understand whether this treatment is the right fit for your eyes and lifestyle.

References:

Serra, P., et al. (2021) ‘Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses for the correction of myopia: refractive predictability and visual outcomes after ICL implantation’, Vision, 2(4), Article 28. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3269/2/4/28
Wei, Q., et al. (2023) ‘Retinal and choroidal changes following ICL V4c implantation: a 1-year observational study in high myopia patients’, Diagnostics, 13(19), Article 3097. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/19/3097
Naripthaphan, P., et al. (2018) ‘Efficacy and safety of hole implantable collamer lens implantation for refractive error correction’, Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 44(7), pp. 850-857. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29927184/
Chan, A.T., et al. (2017) ‘Outcomes after implantable collamer lens surgery: toric and non-toric ICL results in moderate to high myopia’, Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 43(6), pp. 779-786. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28457282/
(2017) ‘Implantation of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens: long-term clinical outcomes and complications’, Journal of Refractive Surgery, 33(2), pp. 120-128. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S018155121730027X

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