How Long Does ICL Surgery Take? {Doctor Guide}

When it comes to improving vision, Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery has become a popular and effective choice for people who are not suitable for LASIK or other laser procedures. One of the most common questions patients have before undergoing the procedure is: How long does ICL surgery take? Understanding the time taken for ICL surgery helps reduce anxiety and prepares you for what to expect on the day of your treatment.

Unlike traditional surgeries that may require long hours in the operating room, ICL surgery is a relatively quick, simple, and painless procedure. On average, the time taken for ICL surgery is around 20–30 minutes per eye, though preparation and recovery steps may extend your clinic visit to a few hours. Clinics such as Vision Eye Centre are equipped with advanced technology and experienced surgeons who ensure the procedure is carried out smoothly and efficiently.

Understanding ICL Surgery

Before we explore the exact time required for ICL surgery, it’s essential to understand what the procedure entails. ICL surgery is a refractive surgery where a specially designed lens, made from Collamer (a biocompatible material), is implanted inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens. This lens works alongside your eye’s natural lens to correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

The procedure is minimally invasive, meaning that it requires only a small incision through which the lens is inserted. Since the lens is foldable, it can be placed inside the eye without large cuts, making the process smooth and reducing healing time. Most importantly, ICL surgery is reversible — the lens can be removed or replaced if required in the future, giving patients peace of mind.

Step-by-Step Timeline of ICL Surgery

When patients ask how long does ICL surgery take, it’s important to note that the entire process includes preparation, the actual procedure, and initial recovery. Here’s a step-by-step timeline to give you a clear idea of what happens:

1. Pre-Surgery Preparation (30–40 minutes)

   • On the day of the surgery, you’ll arrive at the hospital or clinic.

   • The team will verify your medical details and run a quick eye check.

   • You’ll be given anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes, ensuring a painless experience.

   • In some cases, a mild sedative is provided to help you relax.

2. Surgical Procedure (20–30 minutes per eye)

   • A tiny incision is made on the cornea.

   • The foldable ICL lens is inserted through this incision.

   • The lens is carefully positioned behind the iris and in front of the natural lens.

   • The surgeon checks for perfect placement and ensures stability.

3. Immediate Recovery (20–30 minutes)

   • After surgery, you’ll rest in a recovery area.

   • Doctors monitor your eye pressure and overall comfort.

   • You’ll receive post-op instructions and eye drops to prevent infection or swelling.

So while the time taken for ICL surgery itself is very short (just under half an hour per eye), the entire process may take 2–3 hours at the best Eye Centre in Delhi.

How Long Does ICL Surgery take per Eye?

Many patients wonder whether both eyes are treated on the same day or separately. In most cases, ICL surgery is performed on one eye at a time, and the second eye may be treated a few days later. However, some advanced centers, such as Vision Eye Centre, may carry out surgery on both eyes in a single sitting, depending on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s advice.

• Single Eye Procedure:
  On average, the surgery time per eye is around 20–30 minutes. This includes lens insertion, positioning, and final checks.

• Both Eyes on the Same Day:
  If both eyes are done together, the total time may extend to 40–60 minutes, though each eye is still treated separately with utmost care.

• Overall Visit Duration:
  Factoring in preparation and recovery, you can expect to spend 2–3 hours at the clinic, even though the actual surgical time is much shorter.

This short surgery duration is one of the major reasons why people choose ICL. Patients often find it reassuring that the procedure is quick, safe, and doesn’t require a hospital stay.

Factors that Can Affect the Duration of ICL Surgery

1. Complexity of Your Vision Problem

Not all eyes are the same, and the level of correction you need can impact the time taken for ICL surgery. Patients with high myopia or significant astigmatism may require additional care to ensure that the ICL lens sits perfectly in place. The surgeon might spend a little more time adjusting the lens so that the correction is precise and the results are optimal.

2. Type of ICL Lens Used

The kind of ICL Lens chosen for your treatment also plays a role in determining the surgery time. Some advanced designs are tailored for specific conditions and may take slightly longer to insert. For example, toric ICL lenses used to correct astigmatism require more precision in placement compared to standard ICL lenses, which may add a few extra minutes.

3. Surgeon’s Experience

The expertise of the surgeon directly affects how smooth and efficient the procedure will be. A highly experienced surgeon, like those at Vision Eye Centre, is often able to complete the surgery quickly while maintaining accuracy. Less experienced surgeons may take a bit longer, but the priority is always patient safety and successful outcomes.

4. Patient Comfort and Cooperation

Even though ICL surgery is painless thanks to anesthetic eye drops, patients can sometimes feel anxious during the procedure. If the patient moves suddenly or needs reassurance, the surgeon may take a short pause. This doesn’t significantly increase the overall surgery time but ensures that the patient remains comfortable and relaxed throughout.

5. Pre-existing Eye Conditions

Some patients have unique eye structures or pre-existing conditions such as shallow anterior chambers or narrow angles. These situations may require additional caution and careful handling, which can extend the time slightly. The surgeon may take extra steps to ensure the ICL lens is positioned safely and does not affect the natural lens or cornea.

Recovery Time After ICL Surgery

While the actual time taken for ICL surgery is short, many patients are equally interested in knowing how much time it takes to recover. The good news is that ICL surgery offers a relatively quick recovery compared to many other vision correction procedures.

• Immediate Recovery (First Few Hours):
  After the surgery, you’ll rest at the clinic for about 30 minutes to an hour. Most patients can go home the same day with protective eye shields.

• First 24–48 Hours:
  You may experience mild blurriness, glare, or sensitivity to light, but these usually improve within the first two days. Most people can resume light activities the very next day.

• First Week:
  Your vision will stabilize further, and you can gradually return to work, reading, or using digital screens with ease. Regular follow-ups ensure everything is healing well.

• Full Recovery:
  In about 2–4 weeks, patients usually enjoy completely stable vision with minimal restrictions.

Compared to other surgeries, the ICL recovery time is fast, which makes it attractive for professionals and students who don’t want to take long breaks from daily life.

Comparing ICL Surgery Time with Other Eye Surgeries

To better understand the ICL surgery time, it helps to compare it with other popular vision correction procedures:

1. LASIK Surgery Time

Lasik Eye Surgery is one of the most widely known vision correction surgeries. The procedure itself is extremely quick, usually taking about 10–15 minutes per eye. During LASIK, a corneal flap is created and the laser reshapes the cornea to correct vision. While the surgery time is shorter than ICL, it permanently alters the corneal structure. This makes LASIK unsuitable for patients with thin corneas or certain eye conditions, where ICL surgery becomes a safer alternative.

2. PRK Surgery Time

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is another laser-based surgery that takes about 15–20 minutes per eye. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. Instead, the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed before reshaping the cornea with a laser. Although the surgery itself doesn’t take very long, the recovery period is significantly longer than ICL surgery. Patients often need several weeks before their vision stabilizes fully, which can be inconvenient for those needing a faster return to daily routines.

3. Cataract Surgery Time

Cataract Surgery is performed mainly on older adults who develop clouding of the eye’s natural lens. The procedure typically takes 20–30 minutes per eye, which is very similar to the time taken for ICL surgery. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The similarity in surgical time highlights how advanced and efficient ICL surgery has become, making it comparable to one of the most common and successful eye procedures in the world.

4. ICL Surgery Time

ICL Surgery usually takes 20–30 minutes per eye. The key difference is that instead of removing or reshaping tissue, a foldable Collamer lens is inserted into the eye. This makes the procedure minimally invasive and reversible, with less risk of complications compared to surgeries that alter the cornea. While the surgery time is slightly longer than LASIK, the benefits of a safer approach, reversibility, and faster healing make it a preferred option for many patients who are not LASIK candidates.

Benefits of Short Surgery Time in ICL

One of the biggest advantages of ICL is its quick surgical time. The fact that the time taken for ICL surgery is only 20–30 minutes per eye brings several benefits for patients:

• Less Stress and Anxiety: A shorter procedure means less time spent in the operating room, which helps reduce patient nervousness.

• Faster Return to Normal Routine: Since the procedure doesn’t require hospital admission, patients can go home the same day and resume light activities within 24 hours.

• Minimal Discomfort: The use of numbing eye drops makes the surgery virtually painless, and the quick duration further reduces discomfort.

• Lower Risk of Complications: Shorter surgery times often mean fewer chances of infection or surgical complications.

• Convenience for Busy Lifestyles: For students, working professionals, and frequent travelers, the quick procedure and recovery mean minimal disruption to daily schedules.

The short ICL surgery time combined with its long-lasting results makes it an ideal choice for people looking for efficient vision correction.

Conclusion

ICL surgery has become one of the most trusted solutions for people who want long-term vision correction without permanently altering their cornea. The most common question — “How long does ICL surgery take?” — has a simple answer: the actual surgical time is just 20–30 minutes per eye, with your total clinic visit lasting only a few hours. This makes it one of the quickest and most convenient vision correction procedures available today.

The short duration, minimal discomfort, and fast recovery period make ICL surgery ideal for students, working professionals, and anyone with a busy lifestyle. With the expertise of advanced centers like Vision Eye Centre, patients can look forward to not just quick surgery but also excellent results, personalized care, and complete peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does ICL surgery actually take?

The actual ICL surgery time is about 20–30 minutes per eye. However, including preparation and post-surgery observation, you may spend 2–3 hours at the clinic.

2. Do both eyes get surgery on the same day?

In many cases, surgeons perform surgery on one eye first and schedule the second eye a few days later. However, advanced centers like Vision Eye Centre may perform both eyes in the same sitting, depending on your eye health.

3. Is ICL surgery painful?

No, ICL surgery is not painful. Numbing eye drops are used to ensure comfort throughout the procedure. You may feel slight pressure, but no pain.

4. How soon can I see after ICL surgery?

Most patients notice improved vision within 24 hours, though it may take a few days for vision to fully stabilize.

5. How much time does it take to recover from ICL surgery?

Initial recovery takes 1–2 days, during which you can resume light activities. Complete recovery with stable vision usually takes 2–4 weeks.

6. Is the time taken for ICL surgery longer than LASIK?

Yes, LASIK usually takes 10–15 minutes per eye, while ICL takes 20–30 minutes per eye. However, ICL has advantages such as being reversible, suitable for thin corneas, and not removing any corneal tissue.