Lens surgery in Zurich: lens exchange, ICL and cataract

Roughly by age: before presbyopia, with high refractive errors or a thin cornea, the ICL is the first choice because your natural lens and its ability to focus are preserved. With long-sightedness, refractive lens exchange becomes an option from around 45, with all other refractive errors from around 55; from around 60 it usually makes more sense than the laser. With a clear lens and good distance vision, the laser (PresbyMAX) can also correct presbyopia.

Refractive lens exchange CHF 5’000 per eye regardless of the lens chosen, CHF 6’000 with femtosecond laser. ICL CHF 4’500 per eye. For cataract with basic insurance the insurer pays for the operation; you pay the surcharge for the lens, CHF 700 for one distance or CHF 2’700 for several distances, femtosecond laser plus CHF 1’000. The pre-assessment costs CHF 300 and is credited.

For cataract, yes: basic insurance covers the operation under TARDOC; you only pay the surcharge for a lens that does more than the standard model. Refractive lens exchange and ICL you pay yourself; some supplementary insurances contribute. We issue all receipts, also for your tax return.

15 to 20 minutes per eye, outpatient, with drop anaesthesia. Most people see well enough for everyday life the next day. With multifocal and EDOF lenses the brain needs a few weeks to make full use of the new optics; night-time light effects fade during this period. After three months we assess the final result.

For cataract, yes, if medically suitable; on request also in two appointments around one week apart. For refractive lens exchange and ICL, we operate on both eyes on the same day or separately, entirely as you prefer.

Artificial lenses are made to remain in the eye permanently and are generally not replaced. Rarely, a lens has to be removed again, for example in the case of a large deviation from the target power or optical complaints; in a series of 1’438 multifocal lenses this was 0.83 % (Kermani and Gerten 2016). More often, the lens capsule becomes cloudy later (after-cataract), which the team at EyeLaser Zurich treats in a few minutes with the YAG laser. The ICL can be removed if necessary.

At EyeLaser Zurich, cataract surgery is performed by our highly specialised team led by Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos. Depending on the case, refractive lens exchange is performed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, Dr. Kynigopoulos or Dr. med. Valery Vinzent Wittwer; the ICL is implanted by Dr. Derhartunian or Dr. Kynigopoulos. Dr. Derhartunian is the medical director, oversees all findings and measurement data and personally performs every laser treatment. The pre-examination and follow-up examinations take place at Strehlgasse 33 in Zürich.

The most common consequence after refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery is after-cataract: in a British registry study, 5.8 to 19.3 % of eyes needed YAG laser treatment within five years (Ursell 2020). An infection in the eye occurred in 0.023 % of operations in Sweden (Friling 2024). After an ICL, the annual check-up remains important for life. At EyeLaser Zurich, we discuss your personal risk after the pre-examination.

With a healthy, sufficiently thick cornea and values within the laser range, laser eye surgery at EyeLaser Zurich is usually the smaller procedure (CHF 1’500 to 3’000 per eye). A lens implant is an option if the cornea is too thin or irregular, the values exceed the laser limit according to the recommendations of the KRC, or reading glasses become necessary with presbyopia (from around 45 with long-sightedness, otherwise usually from around 55). According to the KRC, the ICL is an equivalent option from as little as around ±1 dpt.

No. For cataract, the examination is a service covered by basic insurance and is billed under TARDOC. The free initial consultation at EyeLaser Zurich applies to the ICL, refractive lens exchange and laser eye surgery. For cataract, you book an examination directly at Strehlgasse 33 in Zürich; afterwards you will know whether and when surgery makes sense and which surcharge (CHF 700 or 2’700 per eye) applies.