![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.eyecliniclondon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/When-Is-the-Right-Time-to-Have-Cataract-Surgery.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe ESCRS Congress is one of the leading international meetings for cataract and refractive surgeons. It gives specialists a place to discuss new research, technology, surgical techniques, patient selection, and long-term outcomes in vision correction.<\/p>\n
ICL surgery, also known as implantable collamer lens surgery, is an important part of these discussions. It offers an alternative to laser vision correction for selected patients, especially if your cornea may not be suitable for laser reshaping.<\/p>\n
Instead of reshaping your cornea, ICL surgery involves placing a lens inside the eye. This lens is usually positioned behind the iris and in front of the natural lens, helping correct vision without changing the corneal shape.<\/p>\n
Recent ESCRS discussions have highlighted ICL sizing, vault prediction, patient selection, safety, high myopia correction, presbyopia-related options, and complication management. For you, this shows that ICL surgery is discussed not only for clearer vision, but also for long-term safety, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction.<\/p>\n
ICL remains important because not every patient is suitable for corneal laser surgery. You may have a high prescription, thin corneas, dry eye concerns, or corneal measurements that make LASIK or surface laser treatment less suitable. In these cases, surgeons need to consider other safe and effective vision correction options.<\/p>\n
At ESCRS, phakic IOLs are often discussed as part of the wider refractive surgery decision-making process. Surgeons compare ICL with LASIK, SMILE, PRK, refractive lens exchange, and other options. These comparisons help specialists decide which treatment may suit different eye structures and visual needs.<\/p>\n
For you as a patient, this means ICL is not simply a \u201cbackup\u201d procedure. In selected eyes, it may be the more suitable refractive option because it corrects vision without reshaping the cornea. This makes proper assessment important before deciding which procedure is best for your eyes.<\/p>\n
One of the main ICL highlights is its role in treating moderate to high myopia. If you have a higher prescription, laser eye surgery may require more corneal tissue removal. This is not always ideal, especially if your cornea is thin or your prescription is outside the safer treatment range.<\/p>\n
ESCRS EuroTimes has reported that posterior chamber phakic ICL implantation can be an accurate and safe option for improving visual acuity in eyes with different levels of myopia. This supports the role of ICL as an important option in refractive surgery planning. It gives surgeons another way to correct vision without reshaping the cornea.<\/p>\n
This is why ICL is often discussed for patients whose prescription is beyond the comfortable range of laser vision correction. For you, it means ICL may be considered when LASIK, SMILE, or PRK may not be the most suitable choice. A detailed eye assessment is still needed to confirm whether ICL is safe and appropriate for your eyes.<\/p>\n
ICL does not reshape your cornea, which makes it different from LASIK, PRK, or SMILE. This can be useful if your corneas are too thin or if your prescription would require too much tissue removal. In these situations, preserving corneal tissue may be an important safety consideration.<\/p>\n
ESCRS guidance and refractive surgery literature often compare excimer laser refractive surgery with phakic intraocular lenses for moderate to high myopia. These comparisons help surgeons decide which option may be safer and more suitable for different eyes. ICL may be considered when laser treatment is not the best fit.<\/p>\n
For you, the key point is that treatment choice should be based on proper eye measurements, safety, and long-term suitability. It should not depend only on personal preference or which procedure sounds more familiar. A detailed assessment helps confirm whether ICL, LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or another option is right for your eyes.<\/p>\n
One reason phakic IOLs are discussed at ESCRS is that they are potentially removable. Unlike laser treatment, which permanently reshapes your cornea, an ICL can be removed or exchanged if needed. This can make it an important option in long-term refractive surgery planning.<\/p>\n
ESCRS EuroTimes has noted that phakic IOLs are reversible and may avoid some potential complications of irreversible alternatives in selected patients. For you, this means ICL may offer flexibility that laser procedures do not provide. However, suitability still depends on detailed eye measurements and overall eye health.<\/p>\n
That does not mean the procedure should be taken lightly. ICL is still intraocular surgery, which means the lens is placed inside the eye. Careful assessment, safe surgical planning, and long-term monitoring remain essential after treatment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Patient selection is one of the most important ICL topics discussed at ESCRS. You need suitable eye anatomy, enough anterior chamber depth, healthy corneal endothelium, a stable prescription, and no eye disease that could make the procedure unsafe. This is why ICL planning starts with detailed assessment.<\/p>\n
ESCRS educational material on phakic IOL assessment highlights checks such as biometry, anterior chamber depth, white-to-white measurement, refraction, and eye pressure. It also notes that ocular hypertension or glaucoma are important contraindications. These details help surgeons decide whether placing a lens inside your eye is safe.<\/p>\n
For you, this means ICL suitability depends on more than prescription strength. Even if your vision prescription seems suitable, your eye measurements and overall eye health must also support the procedure. A careful consultation helps confirm whether ICL is the right option for your eyes.<\/p>\n
ICL sizing is an important technical part of planning because the lens must sit safely inside your eye. The space between the ICL and your natural lens is called the vault. This space needs to be carefully assessed before and after surgery.<\/p>\n
If the vault is too low, there may be concern about the ICL touching the natural lens. If the vault is too high, there may be pressure-related or angle-related concerns. This is why the lens size must be chosen very carefully.<\/p>\n
ESCRS discussions often focus on accurate sizing formulas, imaging, and prediction tools. These help surgeons plan the ICL position more safely and reduce avoidable risks. For you, this means good ICL planning depends on precise measurements, not guesswork.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.eyecliniclondon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-84.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Recent discussions associated with the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons have highlighted the development of the LASSO suite of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) sizing formulas. The LASSO-OCT, LASSO-Biometry, and LASSO-Full models are designed to support ICL sizing by using preoperative measurements gathered from different diagnostic devices.<\/p>\n
The LASSO suite of ICL sizing formulas represents an important step forward in preoperative surgical planning. By improving sizing accuracy and vault prediction, these models aim to enhance both safety and predictability. While you may not directly interact with this technology, it can have a meaningful impact on postoperative comfort and visual outcomes. Advances such as these demonstrate how ongoing refractive surgery research continues to refine patient care and treatment planning.<\/p>\n
Imaging is central to ICL planning because your surgeon needs to understand the front part of your eye in detail. This includes the lens position, anterior chamber depth, angle anatomy, and other important structural measurements. These checks help confirm whether ICL surgery is suitable for you.<\/p>\n
At ESCRS-linked phakic IOL training, topics have included ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging and ICL planning tools. These tools help surgeons assess the eye more accurately before choosing the lens. They also support safer and more personalised planning.<\/p>\n
Good imaging helps your surgeon choose the correct ICL size and position. It can also reduce avoidable risks by identifying issues before surgery. For you, this means detailed scans are an important part of making ICL surgery safer and more predictable.<\/p>\n
Vault prediction is becoming more sophisticated in ICL planning. Newer tools can use imaging data, biometry, and advanced formulas to estimate how the ICL may sit inside your eye. This helps surgeons plan lens sizing more carefully.<\/p>\n
Industry sessions around ESCRS 2025 also referenced newer vault prediction calculators and long-term results with phakic IOLs. These discussions show how planning tools are continuing to improve. They also help surgeons understand how different eyes may respond after lens placement.<\/p>\n
For you, this can support more personalised planning, especially if your eye anatomy is borderline or unusual. Better vault prediction may help reduce avoidable sizing concerns and support safer outcomes. It does not replace surgical judgement, but it can give your surgeon more useful information before surgery.<\/p>\n
ICL vault is monitored after surgery because the lens position can influence long-term safety. If the vault is too high or too low, your surgeon may decide to monitor it closely. In some cases, further action may be considered if the lens position creates concern.<\/p>\n
A low vault may raise concern about the ICL sitting too close to the natural lens. A high vault may create pressure-related or angle-related concerns. This is why follow-up checks are important after ICL surgery, even if your vision feels good.<\/p>\n
Recent research has explored vault changes after ICL exchange, including how downsizing can reduce excessive vault. This kind of research helps surgeons plan what to do if the lens position is not ideal. For you, it means ICL care includes both accurate planning before surgery and careful monitoring afterwards.<\/p>\n
ICL is not only discussed for myopia. Toric ICL options can also help correct myopic astigmatism in suitable patients. This makes ICL relevant for people whose vision problem is more complex than short-sightedness alone.<\/p>\n
This is important because many patients also have astigmatism, which affects how light focuses in the eye. If you have both myopia and astigmatism, your treatment needs to address both parts of the prescription. A toric ICL may be considered when your eye measurements and overall suitability support this option.<\/p>\n
At refractive surgery meetings, surgeons often discuss accuracy, rotational stability, lens alignment, and visual outcomes for toric ICL procedures. These details matter because the lens needs to sit in the correct position to give the best result. For you, this means careful planning and follow-up are essential for achieving stable, clear vision.<\/p>\n
ICL is one type of phakic intraocular lens, but it is not the only option. ESCRS discussions have compared posterior chamber phakic IOLs with iris-supported and angle-supported lens designs. These comparisons help surgeons understand how different lenses behave inside the eye.<\/p>\n
ESCRS coverage has noted that phakic IOLs may vary in material, power range, cylinder range, sizing, and design features. Some designs also include features such as a central hole to support fluid flow inside the eye. These details can affect how suitable a lens may be for different eye shapes and prescriptions.<\/p>\n
For you, this means ICL selection is not only about choosing a lens name. Your surgeon needs to consider your eye measurements, prescription, anatomy, and long-term safety. Comparing different phakic IOL options helps make the treatment plan more personalised and appropriate.<\/p>\n
Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near vision, usually starting in your 40s. ESCRS has discussed phakic IOLs for myopia and presbyopia. In some myopic patients with presbyopia, phakic IOLs may be considered instead of laser refractive procedures or crystalline lens replacement.<\/p>\n
This is still an evolving area because presbyopia correction needs careful counselling. You need to understand how treatment may affect distance, near, and intermediate vision. There may be trade-offs, so expectations should be clear before surgery.<\/p>\n
For ICL patients, age and near-vision needs should always be part of the consultation. Your surgeon should discuss whether ICL fits your current vision needs and your likely future changes. This helps you make a more realistic and confident treatment decision.<\/p>\n
Conference programme listings have included topics such as a new phakic surgical approach for early-to-moderate presbyopia correction using EVO Viva ICL. This shows that phakic IOL discussions are expanding beyond standard myopia correction. It also reflects growing interest in options that may support patients with both distance and near-vision needs.<\/p>\n
However, newer approaches need careful evidence and realistic patient counselling. You should understand that presbyopia correction can involve visual trade-offs between near, intermediate, and distance vision. Long-term follow-up is also important before newer techniques become widely accepted.<\/p>\n
For you, the message is that innovation is promising, but suitability still matters most. A new option is not automatically the best option for every patient. Your age, eye measurements, prescription, lifestyle, and near-vision expectations should guide the decision.<\/p>\n
ICL surgery is an intraocular procedure, which means safety remains a major focus throughout your treatment journey. Although the procedure has a strong safety profile when performed on suitable candidates, surgeons carefully evaluate and manage potential risks before, during, and after surgery. Ongoing discussions within the refractive surgery community, including the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, continue to focus on improving complication prevention and management. These efforts help support safer outcomes and greater confidence for both patients and surgeons.<\/p>\n
Safety remains one of the most important considerations in ICL surgery. Through careful patient screening, accurate lens sizing, skilled surgical techniques, and structured follow-up care, surgeons aim to minimise risks and maximise positive outcomes. Continued discussion and research within the ophthalmic community help refine best practices for complication prevention and management. As a result, patients can benefit from increasingly safe and predictable treatment experiences.<\/p>\n
Long-term outcomes are an important conference topic because you may live with an ICL for many years. Surgeons want to understand how stable the vision remains over time. They also look at satisfaction, safety, endothelial cell health, cataract risk, and eye pressure changes.<\/p>\n
ESCRS discussions around posterior chamber phakic IOLs have highlighted long-term safety, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction with EVO\/EVO+ Visian ICL in suitable patients. This shows that ICL is not only judged by the early vision result. It is also assessed by how safely and reliably it performs over the years.<\/p>\n
For you, long-term follow-up is important even when your vision feels excellent. Regular checks help your surgeon monitor lens position, eye pressure, and overall eye health. This supports safer long-term outcomes and helps detect any changes early.<\/p>\n
ICL may be discussed for patients with challenging corneas because it does not require corneal tissue removal. This can make it relevant if your cornea is thin, irregular, or not ideal for laser vision correction. However, this does not mean ICL is automatically suitable for every complex cornea.<\/p>\n
ESCRS-related phakic IOL training has included edge cases such as patients with challenging corneas. These discussions also cover safe lens vault, accurate sizing, and careful candidate selection. This helps surgeons understand when ICL may be useful and when extra caution is needed.<\/p>\n
For you, this means being unsuitable for LASIK does not automatically mean ICL is the right answer. Your eye anatomy, corneal health, anterior chamber depth, and overall safety profile still need detailed assessment. The safest decision should be based on your full eye measurements, not only on the fact that laser treatment may not be suitable.<\/p>\n
ICL surgery requires specific skill and careful planning. Surgeons need to understand technique, imaging, lens sizing, complications, and patient selection before recommending treatment. This is why specialist education remains important.<\/p>\n
ESCRS and related training programmes give surgeons opportunities to discuss these areas in detail. The ESCRS Congress is also known for education across refractive surgery and intraocular lens implantation. It supports research and shares useful findings in these fields.<\/p>\n
For you, ongoing surgeon education can support safer decisions and more refined treatment planning. It means your care is guided not only by technology, but also by experience, training, and updated clinical knowledge.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.eyecliniclondon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1-79.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
For you, ESCRS ICL discussions show that implantable lens surgery is becoming more precise, personalised, and data-led. The focus is not only on correcting your vision. It is also about choosing the right lens, size, vault, and long-term follow-up plan.<\/p>\n
If you are considering ICL surgery in London, it is worth choosing a clinic that performs detailed measurements. Your surgeon should explain why ICL is suitable for your specific eyes. This helps you understand the decision rather than simply accepting the procedure name.<\/p>\n
A good ICL consultation should compare your options clearly. This may include LASIK, SMILE, PRK, lens-based surgery, or no surgery if that is safest. For you, the best choice should be based on your eye health, prescription, lifestyle, and long-term safety.<\/p>\n
The future of ICL is likely to involve better sizing formulas, improved vault prediction, more advanced imaging, wider treatment options, and stronger long-term outcome tracking. These developments may help surgeons plan treatment more accurately. For you, this could mean more personalised decisions before surgery.<\/p>\n
Conference discussions suggest that phakic IOLs will continue to play an important role in refractive surgery. This may be especially true for patients who are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction. ICL may remain an important option when corneal laser treatment is not the safest choice.<\/p>\n
The best future is not simply about having more lens options. It is about better matching between the patient, the eye anatomy, and the safest available treatment. For you, this means future ICL care should focus on safety, suitability, and long-term results, not just newer technology.<\/p>\n
The latest ESCRS discussions show that ICL surgery continues to evolve through advances in lens sizing, vault prediction, imaging technology, patient selection, and long-term outcome research. These developments are helping surgeons make treatment planning more precise, personalised, and focused on long-term safety. While technology continues to improve, the most important factor remains choosing the right treatment for the right patient.<\/p>\n
If you are considering vision correction surgery, a thorough assessment is essential to determine whether ICL, LASIK, SMILE, PRK, or another option is most suitable for your eyes. The best outcomes are achieved when treatment decisions are based on detailed measurements, individual eye anatomy, lifestyle requirements, and long-term visual goals rather than simply selecting the newest technology.<\/p>\n
If you’re considering ICL surgery in London and want to know if it\u2019s the right option<\/a>, you\u2019re welcome to reach out to us at Eye Clinic London to book a consultation. Our team can assess your eyes, discuss your treatment options, and help you make an informed decision based on your individual needs, visual expectations, and long-term eye health.<\/p>\n The ESCRS Congress is one of the leading international meetings for cataract and refractive surgeons. It gives specialists a place to discuss new research, technology, surgical techniques, patient selection, and long-term outcomes in vision correction. ICL surgery, also known as implantable collamer lens surgery, is an important part of these discussions. It offers an alternative to laser vision correction for selected patients, especially if your cornea may not be suitable for laser reshaping. Instead of reshaping your cornea, ICL surgery<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":17298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nReferences:<\/h2>\n
\n