Imagine waking up in the morning in Zurich and immediately seeing the world clearly – without glasses or contact lenses. For many people, laser eye surgery is like LASIK or SmartSight/SMILE the path to this new life. But what if your eyes are not suitable for it?
The good news: With the implantable contact lens (ICL) we offer at EyeLaser Zurich a safe and state-of-the-art alternative. This method is particularly suitable for patients with Very high ametropia, thin cornea or dry eyes. An ICL is implanted every three minutes worldwide – and 99% of patients would choose it again.
The ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a wafer-thin, flexible additional lens that in addition to the natural lens is inserted into the eye. It sits invisibly between the iris and the natural lens, cannot be felt and permanently corrects visual acuity in the eye.
At EyeLaser Zurich we use the EVO/EVO+ Visian ICL – the world’s leading phakic lens made of Collamer, a biocompatible material with integrated UV protection.
Reversible: the ICL can be removed or replaced at any time
From the mid-40s, reading glasses become unavoidable for many people. The ICL can also be a solution here:
EVO Viva: A special presbyopia model exists, but we deliberately rely on the proven proven monovision method for maximum safety
Are you ready for a life without glasses in Zurich? Find out whether ICL is right for you with a free aptitude test or a non-binding preliminary examination.
Make an appointment in Zurich
Result: Significantly better visibility, often immediately noticeable
The EVO ICL has a central AquaPortwhich maintains the natural aqueous humor flow – eliminating the need for an iridotomy.
Risks (very rare):
Long-term: very rare cataract or size problems – due to OCT Anterion and MS39 V2 Diagnostics reduced to a minimum
| Procedure | Age | Correction range | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ICL (phakic lens) | 18-45 | -20 to +10 dpt | Reversible, high diopters, no corneal ablation | intraocular, higher costs |
| LASIK | 18-45 | -8 to +4 dpt | fast healing, precise | unsuitable for thin cornea / dry eyes |
| SMILE / SmartSight | 18-45 | -10 to -0.5 dpt | minimally invasive, flapless | only for myopia/astigmatism |
| Lens exchange (RLE) | from 45 | up to ±15 dpt | corrects presbyopia & cataracts | natural lens is removed |
Usually after a few days
First check-up at EyeLaser Zurich
Customization of the drops
Stability control
Health insurance companies in Switzerland:
Central location in Zurich – optimally accessible
ICL stands for Implantable Collamer Lens. It is a so-called phakic lens made of a biocompatible material called collamer. This lens is inserted into the eye and functions like a permanent visual aid.
No, ICL surgery is painless. We use anesthesia in the form of eye drops so that the procedure is comfortable for you. You will only feel a slight pressure.
The procedure is very short and is performed on an outpatient basis. The implantation only takes about 20 minutes per eye.
You cannot feel the ICL lens in your eye and other people cannot see it either. It lies behind the iris so that it is completely invisible from the outside.
The ICL is designed to remain in the eye permanently and is very durable. Its greatest advantage is that it can be removed or replaced with another lens at any time if necessary.
In contrast to LASIK, which permanently reshapes the cornea, ICL involves placing an additional lens in the eye. The ICL method is reversible and is also suitable for correcting high diopter values.
Light activities such as office work can often be resumed the very next day. You should wait a few days before doing sport, and a break of a few weeks is recommended for swimming or contact sports.
Compulsory basic insurance does not usually cover the costs of ICL implantation. However, supplementary insurance may contribute, depending on the policy, especially in the case of very high myopia (over -10 dpt) or very different visual acuity between the eyes (anisometropia over 3 dpt). We will be happy to assist you in submitting the documents.
Yes, there are special toric ICL models. These lenses not only correct myopia or hyperopia, but also astigmatism.
The ICL lens can be easily removed if a cataract develops. It is then replaced with a premium IOL (intraocular lens) to restore vision.
Since 2013, we at EyeLaser Zurich have performed over 1,000 successful ICL implants. We specialize in this procedure and can look back on many years of experience.
Are you ready for a life without glasses in Zurich? Find out whether ICL is right for you with a free aptitude test or a non-binding preliminary examination.
Make an appointment in Zurich
