Am I a candidate for ICL?

Who is ICL especially good for?

You may be a strong candidate if you’re a nearsighted adult with a stable prescription and no cataract. ICL is especially helpful for people with active lifestyles, those with allergies or dry eye who struggle with contact lenses, and anyone who’s been told they’re not a good LASIK candidate because of thin corneas or a high prescription. Because it doesn’t reshape the cornea, it won’t worsen dry eye — and many patients find their dryness improves once they stop wearing contacts every day.

What prescriptions and ages can ICL treat?

ICL corrects nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, across a wide range — including very high prescriptions that are beyond what laser can safely treat. In the US, the EVO ICL is FDA-approved to treat nearsightedness from about −3 D to −20 D and astigmatism from 1 D to 4 D. For prescriptions beyond that range, an ICL can reduce the nearsightedness first and a laser procedure can finish the correction (a combination sometimes called bioptics).

The EVO ICL is FDA-approved for adults 21–60 — the FDA raised the upper age limit from 45 to 60 in February 2026 — and experienced surgeons also treat carefully selected patients from about 18. Younger patients need a documented stable prescription; older patients remain candidates as long as they haven’t developed a cataract.

What about my eye anatomy?

One measurement that comes up is the depth of the space at the front of the eye (the anterior chamber). A roomier eye gives more margin, but a narrower one isn’t automatically a “no.”

This is where surgeon experience matters most. Expert ICL surgeons are comfortable across a wide range of anatomy — including narrower eyes that a less-experienced surgeon would turn away. If you’ve been told your eye is borderline, it’s worth seeking out a high-volume specialist before assuming ICL is off the table — see how to find the right surgeon.

Do I need a retina check first?

Because many ICL patients are highly nearsighted, a careful look at the retina is a good idea — nearsighted eyes carry their own baseline retinal risk regardless of surgery. Your surgeon will advise whether a dedicated retina evaluation is warranted for you.

Getting ready for your consultation

Plan to be out of contact lenses before your measurements — commonly about a week for soft lenses and longer for rigid lenses — so your eyes are measured in their natural shape. Your clinic will give you exact instructions when you book. With enough advance planning, some practices can even perform the surgery the same day as your consultation.

Educational content; only an in-person evaluation can determine if ICL is right for you.