How Long Does It Take to Recover From ICL Surgery?
When someone thinks about surgery, one of the first things they think about is how much time they need to take off for recovery. The good news is that ICL surgery has you back to your daily life faster than almost any other surgery!
ICL Eye Surgery
ICL surgery, or Implantable Collamer Lens surgery, is becoming a popular choice for those seeking corrective vision. As an alternative to laser vision correction or LASIK, ICL may be a good option if you have a high prescription. ICLs are often the best way to improve your vision and eliminate the need for contacts & glasses. But how long does it take to recover from this type of surgery? Let’s look at the typical recovery timeline and what you can expect during that time period.
ICL Recovery Process
ICL eye surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that doesn’t require general anesthesia, so you’ll be able to get up and move around as soon as the surgery is complete! Most people find their visual recovery with implantable contact lenses is fast too, and experience noticeable improvement right away. Patients are surprised to be able to read the wall clock on their way out of the medical suite.
Most people are able to resume work and other regular activities the very next day and continue to experience further improvement over the course of the first week after surgery. In the meantime, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops will assist in the healing process. You may also be asked to apply eye drops immediately following the procedure.
Your doctor will likely advise you to avoid any strenuous activities for at least week after your surgery. This includes avoiding any contact sports or activities that involve heavy lifting or straining which could put pressure on the eye and cause complications with healing. It’s also important to wear sunglasses when you are outside in order to protect your eyes from dust and debris while they are healing.
ICL Surgery Recovery Time
Your doctor will monitor your progress closely during the healing period by having regular follow-up appointments. At these appointments, he/she will assess your vision, check for inflammation, as well as evaluate if there have been any changes in corneal curvature since the procedure was performed. During this time, it’s important to make sure that you are adhering strictly to all of the instructions given by your doctor regarding how often you should use eye drops and other medications prescribed for post-operative care.
Be sure to talk to one of our doctors about not only the benefits of vision correction, but also any risks of vision correction that may pertain to your individual needs and circumstances.