# Phakic Intraocular Lens

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/phakic-intraocular-lens

**Author:** Opr. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek | **Date:** 2026-09-13

> **Summary:** Phakic lenses are implants as thin as a contact lens, placed in front of the eye's own natural lens, which stays in place and keeps working. They correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, are an alternative for eyes not suited to laser treatment, cannot be felt in the eye and need no special care.

## Quick Facts
- **Operation Duration:** About 15-20 minutes per eye
- **Recovery Time:** Back to daily life in a few days, full recovery in a few weeks
- **Anaesthesia Type:** Topical eye drops (light sedation if needed)
- **Natural Lens:** Not removed

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## What Is a Phakic Lens?
A thin lens implanted in front of the natural lens that corrects refractive errors while the natural lens keeps working. It stays permanently in the eye, does not need to be taken out like a contact lens, and is not visible from outside. Phakic lenses were first designed in 1977 (placed in the iris) and have since been developed into much more modern designs.

## Phakic Lens Types
- **Phakic Intraocular Lenses (PIOLs):** Placed in front of or behind the natural lens; especially suited to people who are not suitable for laser surgery.
- **Artisan Lenses:** Placed between the iris and the cornea.
- **Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens):** Placed behind the iris, in front of the natural lens; made of a flexible material and can remain in the eye for many years.

## Who Is It For?
Laser treatment (iLASIK, LASEK, PRK) is the most preferred correction, but it needs an ideal corneal thickness, corneal map and a prescription within a certain range. For eyes where laser is not ideal, the phakic lens is described as one of the safest, permanent and stable alternatives.

**Generally not recommended when:**
- The front chamber of the eye is shallow.
- The cell count of the inner corneal layer (endothelium) is low.
- There is uncontrolled eye pressure, cataract or active inflammation in the eye.

## Advantages
- Freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
- Permanent implant that can work effectively for many years.
- High success rate; most patients are satisfied.
- The eye's natural lens is preserved.

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## Prices

All packages include: accommodation (7 nights), three meals a day, round-trip airport transfers, doctor consultation and eye examination, all advanced eye tests, ICL surgery, post-surgery check-ups, eye drops and medication, pay on-site. Prices vary from person to person depending on the treatment plan made after a detailed examination.

| Procedure | Price (Per Eye) | Method | Note |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **EVO Visian ICL** (most chosen) | £1,950 | Myopia (−), STAAR Surgical | |
| **EVO Visian ICL** | £2,150 | Hypermetropia (+), STAAR Surgical | |
| **EVO Visian Toric ICL** | from £2,600 | Astigmatism (− or +), STAAR Surgical | With hypermetropia: 3,000 £ |

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## The Treatment Journey

### 1. Before Treatment
- Vision level and glasses prescription are determined.
- Anterior chamber depth (the space where the lens will sit) is measured with special devices.
- The corneal endothelial cell count is evaluated to decide suitability.
- Blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin: ask your doctor whether to stop them; do not stop on your own.
- A light breakfast or meal beforehand is fine, since only eye drops are used.

### 2. During Treatment
- Topical anaesthetic drops; light sedation if needed. You are awake and can talk to the doctor; usually only a slight touching sensation.
- The eye is sterilised and a lid holder is placed.
- A viscoelastic substance protects the corneal endothelium; the lens is inserted through a small corneal incision so that it does not touch the natural lens.
- About 15-20 minutes per eye.

### 3. After Treatment
- Rest in your room; you can go home after a few hours. The eye stays closed on the day of surgery.
- Pain and stinging while the eye is closed are normal; painkillers may be taken.
- Follow-up the next day, when the drops are explained.
- Redness, watering and light sensitivity in the first days; blurred vision may last a few weeks until full recovery.
- Do not rub the eyes; keep water and soap out of the eye in the first days.
- Later laser or cataract surgery is possible. If cataract develops, the phakic lens is removed and a new lens is placed after the cataractous lens is removed.

## Risks and Possible Side Effects
The risks are described as unlikely and mostly treatable; detailed measurements and regular check-ups reduce them further.
- **Infection:** Very rare; prevented with prescribed drops and hygiene.
- **Raised eye pressure:** Mostly temporary in the first days, controlled with drops; lens size is planned from measurements.
- **Cataract:** Uncommon, may develop over the years; the phakic lens is removed and standard cataract surgery is done.
- **Corneal endothelial cell loss:** Slow; monitored with a yearly endothelial cell count, lens can be removed if needed.
- **Night halos and glare:** May occur in the first weeks and usually fade.

## Understanding Your Prescription
A prescription is usually valid for two years.
- **Sphere (SPH):** Main correction; minus (−) means difficulty seeing far, plus (+) difficulty seeing near.
- **Cylinder (CYL):** Astigmatism correction; blank means no astigmatism.
- **Axis:** Direction of astigmatism, an angle between 0 and 180 degrees.
- **Addition (ADD):** Extra near power, usually needed after 40.
- **Prism:** Eye-alignment correction, only for double vision or squint.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: What is the difference between a phakic lens and an ICL?**
A: An ICL is one type of phakic lens. Phakic lens is the general name for lenses implanted while the natural lens stays in place; an ICL is made of a flexible material and sits just in front of the natural lens. Examination measurements decide which type suits you.

**Q: Who is not suitable for a phakic lens?**
A: Generally those with a shallow front chamber, a low inner corneal cell count, or uncontrolled eye pressure, cataract or active eye inflammation.

**Q: Does a phakic lens stay in the eye for life?**
A: It is designed to stay for many years. If a cataract develops, it is removed and a new lens is placed during cataract surgery, so regular check-ups matter.

**Q: Can I have laser or cataract surgery later?**
A: Yes, there is no harm in either in an eye with a phakic lens.

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## References
- Phakic Intraocular Lenses, EyeWiki
- What are phakic lenses?, FDA
- Laser eye surgery and lens surgery, NHS