ICL Surgery in Turkey

An ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a thin, flexible lens placed inside the eye — behind the iris and in front of your natural lens — to correct short-sightedness and astigmatism without removing corneal tissue. It is used mainly for moderate to high myopia and for people whose corneas are too thin or irregular for LASIK or SMILE. In Turkey, an ICL package for both eyes typically costs €3,000–€6,000, and most patients plan a trip of 3–5 days.

What ICL surgery is and how it works

Laser treatments reshape the cornea; ICL surgery adds a lens instead. The lens is made of Collamer, a soft material containing a small amount of collagen. Through an incision of about 3 mm, the surgeon injects the folded lens, which unfolds and is tucked behind the iris, vaulting just clear of your natural lens. That natural lens stays in place — ICL is a phakic intraocular lens, “phakic” meaning the natural lens is kept — and because nothing is cut from the cornea, the ICL can be removed or exchanged later.

EVO Visian ICL and toric lenses

The most widely used model is the EVO Visian ICL by STAAR Surgical. Its tiny central port, about 0.36 mm wide, lets fluid circulate naturally, so the small laser openings in the iris (iridotomy) that older models required are usually unnecessary. Toric versions also correct astigmatism, and EVO+ has a larger optical zone. In the United States, EVO is the only FDA-approved ICL, for myopia of up to about −20 dioptres.

ICL compared with LASIK, SMILE and lens replacement

Once presbyopia or an early cataract begins, lens replacement with a smart lens usually makes more sense. For lower prescriptions with thin corneas, flap-free surface laser (PRK) may be another option.

Who is a good candidate for ICL

• Adults, usually aged about 21 to 45, whose prescription has been stable for at least a year
• People with moderate to high myopia, with or without astigmatism — including prescriptions beyond safe laser range
• Those told their corneas are too thin or irregular for LASIK or SMILE, or who struggle with dry eyes
• Eyes with enough room inside: adequate anterior chamber depth, an open drainage angle and a healthy endothelial cell count (the cells that keep the cornea clear)
• Usually not advised during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with glaucoma, uveitis, a shallow anterior chamber, a low endothelial cell count or an existing cataract

The procedure step by step

Why precise sizing matters

The gap between the ICL and your natural lens is the vault, ideally roughly 250–750 microns. Too low, and the ICL can touch the natural lens and raise the risk of cataract; too high, and it can crowd the drainage angle and push up eye pressure. A small number of lenses need repositioning or exchanging for another size — ask in advance who pays if that happens.

Recovery timeline

1. Day 0

   Surgery day

   Vision is often clearer within hours but blurry and light-sensitive at first. Rest, wear the shields and do not rub your eyes.

2. Days 1–3

   First check-ups

   The next-day check confirms eye pressure and lens position. Many people return to screens and light activities within 2–3 days.

3. Weeks 1–2

   Back to routine

   Most activities resume. Avoid swimming, eye make-up and dusty places for about 1–2 weeks, or as advised.

4. Weeks 2–4

   Drops tapered

   Antibiotic drops usually stop after about a week; steroid drops are tapered over roughly 2–4 weeks.

5. Month 1 onwards

   Long-term monitoring

   Vision is usually stable. Have at least yearly eye checks of pressure, natural lens and corneal cells.

Results and how long they last

Most people see much more clearly within a day or two. For higher myopia, studies suggest ICL compares favourably with LASIK. The lens can stay in the eye long term, but it does not stop the eye ageing: from your mid-40s you will still need reading glasses, and if a cataract forms, the ICL is removed during cataract surgery. Very short-sighted eyes also keep their higher risk of retinal detachment, so regular check-ups remain important.

Risks and how to reduce them

• Raised eye pressure — often temporary, but a lens vaulting too high can cause serious pressure problems needing prompt treatment
• Cataract — the American Academy of Ophthalmology cites a small risk, about 2%, of accelerated cataract within 5 to 14 years in patients over 40; a low vault adds to the risk
• Halos and glare at night, especially with large pupils — usually lessening over months, but sometimes persistent
• Loss of endothelial cells, which is why cell counts are checked before surgery and monitored afterwards
• Wrong size, toric lens rotation or a leftover prescription, which may need repositioning, a lens exchange or a laser touch-up
• Infection, inflammation or retinal detachment — rare but serious; report pain, redness or sudden vision changes immediately

Cost of ICL surgery in Turkey and what's included

Prices vary with the lens model (standard, toric or EVO+), the surgeon, the hospital and the hotel nights bundled. As a rule of thumb, the American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that ICL typically costs about twice as much as LASIK. Treat online figures as a guide only: ask for a written, itemised quote after your measurements, and get free quotes to compare clinics like for like.

Choosing a clinic safely

• An accredited eye hospital or clinic and an ophthalmologist registered in Turkey with specific ICL experience — ask how many they implant each year
• The Ministry of Health’s health-tourism authorisation, the Uluslararası Sağlık Turizmi Yetki Belgesi
• All measurements, including the endothelial cell count, taken in person before the lens is chosen
• The lens model named (EVO, EVO+ or toric), and a written quote covering aftercare, lens exchange and revision policy
• Realistic before-and-after information rather than promises of perfect vision
• Red flags: pressure to book on the spot, no discussion of risks, a fixed price before any tests, or no named surgeon

An ICL can be an excellent answer to high myopia and thin corneas — but it is eye surgery with lifelong follow-up, so choose on measurements and surgeon experience, not the lowest price.

— WhichClinic Editorial Team