ICL stands for Implantable Collamer Lens. It is a phakic lens made of biocompatible Collamer that functions like a permanent contact lens inside the eye.

Is ICL surgery painful?

No, thanks to anesthetic drops, the procedure is painless. You will only feel a slight pressure.

How long does the procedure take?

The implantation takes only about 20 minutes per eye and is performed on an outpatient basis.

Can you feel or see the lens?

No. The lens is positioned behind the iris and is neither perceptible to you nor visible to others.

How long does an ICL last?

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.

What is the difference to LASIK?

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.

When can I go back to work or do sport?

Light activities such as office work can often be resumed the very next day. You should wait a few days before engaging in sports.

Does the health insurance company cover the costs?

Basic insurance usually does not pay. Supplementary insurance often contributes in cases of very high values (> -10 dpt) or large differences. We support you with the submission process.

Does the ICL also correct astigmatism?

Yes, there are special toric ICL models. These lenses correct not only myopia or hyperopia, but also astigmatism.

What happens if cataracts develop later?

The ICL lens can be easily removed if cataracts develop. It is then replaced by a premium IOL.

How many ICL operations have been performed at EyeLaser Zurich?

Since 2013, we have performed over 1,000 successful ICL implantations at EyeLaser Zurich.

Laser eye surgery in Zurich - laser eye surgery in Switzerland

Phakic lenses (ICL) in Zurich: The clear solution when laser eye surgery is not possible

Do you dream of seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses in Zurich, but laser eye surgery is not an option for you? The implantable contact lens (ICL) from EyeLaser Zurich offers a safe alternative that is particularly suitable for people with high ametropia or thin corneas. This invisible, perceptible additional lens corrects your vision permanently and can be removed again at any time if necessary.

Book an Appointment Show me my suitability

In brief

The ICL lens in Zurich: the essentials in brief

The ICL is a wafer-thin special lens placed between the iris and the eye’s own lens. The cornea remains untouched, no tissue is removed, and the lens can be removed or exchanged at any time. It is the solution when laser surgery is not safely possible: with very high prescriptions, a thin cornea or markedly dry eyes. The natural lens stays in place, so the ability to focus up close is preserved as long as it exists naturally.

✓Duration: around 20 minutes per eye, outpatient, eye drops only for anaesthesia.

✓Range: short-sightedness from about −0.5 to −20 dioptres, long-sightedness up to about +10, astigmatism up to about 6 dioptres.

✓Reversible: the lens can be removed or exchanged, the cornea stays unchanged.

✓Price: CHF 4’500 per eye, fixed price including lens, procedure and follow-up checks during the first three months.

✓Consider: lifelong annual check of eye pressure, distance to the natural lens and corneal cell count.

Straight to the point:Am I suitable? →Results →All prices →All procedures →

Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO · Last updated: 13 September 2026

25’000refractive procedures performed personally by Dr Derhartunian

CHF 4’500fixed price per eye, including lens and three months of follow-up

4,9 / 5from 118 Google reviewsAs of September 2026

Kreis 1Strehlgasse 33, two minutes on foot from Paradeplatz

Check your suitability for the ICL lens 044 221 95 02

Seeing without glasses – even if laser eye surgery is not possible

Imagine waking up in Zurich and seeing the world clearly right away – without glasses or contact lenses. Für viele Menschen ist Augenlasern wie LASIK or SmartSight/SMILE der Weg in dieses neue Leben. But what if your eyes are not suitable for laser treatment?

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.

Prices & services

Price & services at a glance

Transparent, binding and without hidden costs — as Swiss medicine should be.

FIXED PRICE

Phakic lenses (ICL) in Zurich

CHF 4’500 per eye

The clear solution when laser eye surgery is not possible — fully reversible.

Free initial consultation +41 44 221 95 02

Included in the fixed price

✓Follow-up checks of the first three months included — the annual check thereafter is chargeable

✓Fixed-price guarantee — no surcharges after the preliminary examination

✓Enhancement included — if ever needed, at no extra cost

✓24/7 emergency access — you receive the surgeon’s personal mobile number

✓Preliminary examination CHF 300 — credited towards the treatment

✓Flexible instalments via our partner HeyLight

Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO · Last updated: August 2026

Results

What research shows about the ICL

The ICL is among the best-studied refractive procedures: there is a meta-analysis of 2’204 eyes and a US approval study of the current EVO generation.

80.2 %

achieved 20/20 or better without correction

meta-analysis of 27 prospective studies, 2’204 eyes, ICL V4c and V5, mean follow-up 14 months. Larivoir et al. 2025, PubMed 41369665

99.4 %

achieved 20/40 or better, the threshold for driving

approval study of the EVO ICL, 463 eyes, six months. FDA P030016/S035

90.5 %

were within ±0.5 dioptres of the target correction

same approval study, 569 eyes, six months

3.8 %

loss of corneal endothelial cells after about 21 months

meta-analysis of 18 studies on the ICL V4c. Kisiel and Gurumurthy 2024, PubMed 38194352

These figures come from published studies and are not our own data. Study populations differ in baseline values, time of measurement and definition of the outcome, so the figures are not directly comparable with one another. What is realistic for your eye, we tell you after the pre-examination.

What is an ICL lens?

The ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a wafer-thin, flexible additional lens that in addition to the natural lens ins Auge eingesetzt wird. It sits invisibly between the iris and the natural lens, cannot be felt, and permanently corrects visual acuity within 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.

Who is the ICL suitable for?

Correctable visual defects

Myopia: up to -20 diopters
Farsightedness: up to +10 diopters
Astigmatism: up to 6 diopters

When is the ICL the better choice?

Thin cornea: when laser eye surgery is not possible
Stable keratoconus: often after crosslinking
Chronically dry eyes: as the corneal nerves are not affected
Very high visual defects: beyond the limits of LASIK or SMILE

Reversible: the ICL can be removed or replaced at any time

ICL and presbyopia

From the mid-40s, reading glasses become unavoidable for many people. The ICL can also be a solution here:

Monovision correction: one eye for distance vision, the other for near vision – the brain automatically compensates for this

EVO Viva: A special presbyopia model exists, but we deliberately rely on the proven proven monovision method for maximum safety

Your next step

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.

When is an ICL not suitable?

During pregnancy or breastfeeding
If the anterior chamber of the eye is too shallow
For advanced cataracts
For unstable vision

The procedure in Zurich – clear vision in just 20 minutes

Preparation: Anesthesia with eye drops, completely painless
Access: Tiny, self-healing 3 mm incision on the cornea
Implantation: the folded ICL is gently inserted and unfolds behind the iris

Result: Significantly better visibility, often immediately noticeable

High-tech diagnostics & safety

The EVO ICL has a central AquaPortwhich maintains the natural aqueous humor flow – eliminating the need for an iridotomy.

Risks (very rare):

Short-term: slight increase in pressure, halos or glare

Long-term: very rare cataract or size problems – due to OCT Anterion and MS39 V2 Diagnostics reduced to a minimum

Comparison: ICL vs. LASIK vs. SMILE vs. lens exchange

Comparison: Age · Correction range · Advantages · Disadvantages
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

Aftercare & recovery in Zurich

Full visual acuity

Usually after a few days

Day 1

First check-up at EyeLaser Zurich

1 week

Customization of the drops

1 month

Stability control

Transparency

What are the risks, and how do we manage them?

The ICL is reversible; that is your greatest safety net. Nevertheless, we discuss openly:

iRise in eye pressure in the first days; closely monitored and easily controlled.

iVaulting deviation (seat of the lens); we check the position with the MS-39 OCT; repositioning or exchange is possible with minimal invasiveness.

iHalos in the early period mostly temporary.

iLong-term effects such as earlier lens clouding are rare and monitored at the checks; in case of doubt the ICL is fully reversible.

Your safety net: Should a touch-up be necessary, it is included in the fixed price at EyeLaser Zurich for up to ten years, provided you attend the annual check. And for emergencies you receive the surgeon’s personal mobile number, around the clock, including weekends.

Costs of the ICL in Zurich

CHF 5,000 per eye (incl. diagnostics, surgery, lens, aftercare)
Transparent fixed prices – no hidden costs

Health insurance companies in Switzerland:

Basic insurance does not cover the costs
Supplementary insurance: partial participation in certain cases (e.g. myopia > -10 dpt or anisometropia > 3 dpt difference)
It’s always worth submitting – we support you with expert opinions and cost estimates

Why EyeLaser Zurich?

Over 1,000 successful ICL implantations since 2013
International expertise in refractive surgery
State-of-the-art diagnostics: OCT Anterion & MS39 V2
Personal support from experienced specialists

Central location in Zurich – optimally accessible

Overview

All procedures compared

On the overview page laser eye surgery in Zurich you find all procedures side by side, with the suitability traffic light, documented results, healing timeline, fixed prices and instalment examples.

Other procedures at EyeLaser: SmartSight · Femto-LASIK 7D · Trans-PRK · ReLEx SMILE · PresbyMAX

By refractive error: Short-sightedness · Long-sightedness · Astigmatism · Presbyopia · Keratoconus

Costs and financing: All prices · Health insurance · Treatment process · Testimonials

FAQ – The most frequently asked questions about ICL

Your next step

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.

book an assessment