ICL Surgery — Freedom from Glasses for a Young Professional with High Myopia

Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery for a Patient Ineligible for LASIK

KENIA EYE HOSPITAL
ICL & Refractive Services | Ophthalmology | Mumbai

PATIENT PROFILE

FieldDetail
Age24 years
GenderFemale
OccupationStructural Engineer
Presenting ComplaintHigh myopia in both eyes; dependent on glasses since age 2
Refractive PowerMore than -10 D in both eyes
DiagnosisBilateral High Myopia — not eligible for LASIK
Duration of IssueApproximately 22 years
Previous CorrectionSpectacles since early childhood
Procedure PerformedICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) Surgery, one eye per day on consecutive days
Date of Procedure2026
OutcomeExcellent — spectacle-free vision with no complications

THE PROBLEM

Condition

The patient, a 24-year-old structural engineer, had worn glasses since the age of two and came to Kenia Eye Hospital on the recommendation of a trusted doctor, initially seeking LASIK surgery. On consultation, she was found to have high myopia of more than -10 D in both eyes, which made her ineligible for LASIK. She was instead assessed for and recommended ICL surgery, a procedure involving an implantable lens placed inside the eye rather than on its surface.

Emotional & Psychological Impact

The patient was initially skeptical about the idea of an implantable lens inside the eye, having not considered this option before her consultation. She spent time researching the procedure and discussing her concerns directly with the surgical team before deciding to go ahead. As a structural engineer, her high dependence on glasses had also created practical limitations in her work, adding to her motivation to pursue a lasting solution.

CONSULTATION & TREATMENT PLAN

What Was Assessed During the Consultation?

Why This Approach Was Chosen

Given her high myopia exceeded the safe range for LASIK, the team recommended ICL Vision Correction as the more suitable option. After researching the procedure and speaking with Dr. Vaishal Kenia, who reassured her of its safety, the patient chose to proceed with ICL surgery at this Eye Hospital in Mumbai, with each eye operated on a separate day.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Step-by-Step Overview

Procedure FactDetail
ProcedureICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) Surgery
DurationApproximately 5 to 7 minutes per eye
SchedulingOne eye per day, on two consecutive days
Pain ReportedNone; patient described the surgery as painless, seamless, and effortless
Post-Op Care Period7 days, with no problems reported thereafter

POST-OPERATIVE RESULTS

The patient reported that both surgeries were seamless and effortless, each completed within 5 to 7 minutes and without any pain. She described the surgical team, including those in the operating theatre, as making her feel very comfortable throughout. Following 7 days of post-operative care, she experienced no further problems with her eyes. Having worn glasses for over 20 years, she described the experience of seeing without them as surreal, and one that removed the practical limitations glasses had placed on her work as a structural engineer.

OUTCOMES AT A GLANCE

Outcome MetricResult
Visual Independence✔ Spectacle-free vision achieved after 22 years of dependence on glasses
Pain/Discomfort✔ None reported; both surgeries described as painless
Recovery✔ No problems reported after the 7-day post-operative care period
Patient Satisfaction✔ Very high — patient described the experience as surreal and life-improving
Complications✔ None

PATIENT FEEDBACK

“I have had glasses since I was two years old, and I am 24 at the moment. I was told I had pretty high myopia, more than 10 in both my eyes, so I was not eligible for LASIK and was recommended ICL surgery instead. I was skeptical about it at first, but after researching and speaking with Dr. Kenia, he mentioned it is pretty safe to go ahead with. The surgery was seamless and effortless, and the doctors made me very comfortable. It was a painless surgery within 5 to 7 minutes. After the surgery, I took care for 7 days and since then I have had no problems with my eyes. It's a very surreal thing to see without your glasses after wearing them for more than 20 years. Being a structural engineer, I had some limitations while using my glasses, but now I don't have those limitations anymore. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who has high myopia in both eyes.”

POST-PROCEDURE CARE & RECOVERY

Instructions Given to Patient

Recovery Timeline

TimeframeWhat Patient Can Expect
Day 1First eye operated on; surgery completed within 5 to 7 minutes, no pain reported
Day 2Second eye operated on, completing the bilateral procedure
Day 2–7Post-operative care period; no problems reported during this time
After Day 7Spectacle-free vision confirmed, with no further issues reported

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Patients with very high degrees of myopia, such as this patient's more than -10 D in both eyes, may not be suitable candidates for LASIK. In such cases, ICL Vision Correction is often recommended instead, as it involves placing a corrective lens inside the eye rather than reshaping the cornea.