An implantable lens that corrects prescriptions up to -18.00 dioptres without touching the cornea or removing the natural lens. Fully reversible. Performed in Colchester.
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You have worn thick glasses or strong contact lenses for as long as you can remember. At some point you looked into laser eye surgery, perhaps even booked a consultation, and were told your prescription is too strong, your corneas too thin, or both. The conclusion felt final: laser is not an option for your eyes. The alternatives seemed to be thicker glasses, ongoing contact lens costs, or waiting until your 50s for lens replacement surgery.
ICL is the procedure that changes that conclusion. It corrects prescriptions up to −18.00 dioptres of myopia without reshaping the cornea or removing the natural lens. It is suitable for thin corneas. It is suitable for patients who suffer from dry eyes. And unlike every other form of vision correction surgery, it is fully reversible: the lens can be removed or exchanged at any point in the future.
An ICL (implantable collamer lens) is a thin, flexible lens made from a biocompatible material called collamer. It is placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens, where it adds corrective power without removing or altering any existing tissue. You cannot see it or feel it once it is in place. It requires no cleaning or maintenance.
The EVO ICL, manufactured by STAAR Surgical, is the current generation of the lens. Over 3 million EVO ICLs have been implanted worldwide since the procedure was introduced over 25 years ago. The lens corrects myopia (short-sightedness) up to approximately −18.00 dioptres and hyperopia (long-sightedness) up to approximately +10.00 dioptres. A toric version is available for patients with astigmatism up to approximately 6.00 dioptres. The collamer material includes built-in UV protection.
Because the natural lens stays in place, the eye retains its own focusing ability. For patients under 45, this means some degree of natural near-vision focusing is preserved, which is lost when the natural lens is removed in lens replacement surgery. This is one of the reasons ICL is generally preferred over lens replacement for younger patients with high prescriptions.
Choosing between ICL, laser, and lens replacement depends on your age, prescription, corneal health, and what matters most to you. Here is how they differ.
| EVO ICL | LASIK / Laser | Lens Replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornea | Untouched | Reshaped permanently | Untouched |
| Prescription range | −3 to −18.00D myopia | Up to −10.00D | Any prescription |
| Reversibility | Lens removable or exchangeable at any time | Permanent | Permanent — natural lens removed |
| Dry eye risk | None | Possible, temporary | None |
| The best procedure depends on your individual anatomy, prescription and lifestyle. Mr Mukherjee offers all three — the recommendation will always be based on what is genuinely best for your eyes. | |||
| Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK or TransPRK) | ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) | Lens Replacement Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Reshapes the cornea permanently to correct vision. Best for moderate prescriptions (typically up to -8.00 to -10.00 dioptres) with adequate corneal thickness. Fast recovery (24 hours for LASIK). Not suitable for very high prescriptions or thin corneas because there is not enough tissue to reshape safely. Laser eye surgery → | Adds a lens inside the eye without changing the cornea or removing the natural lens. Best for high prescriptions (-3.00 to -18.00 dioptres), thin corneas, dry eyes, or patients who want a reversible option. Typically for patients aged 21 to approximately 45. Recovery within 24 to 48 hours. | Removes the natural lens and replaces it with a premium artificial lens. Best for patients over 50 or those with early lens changes. Corrects all refractive errors permanently and prevents future cataracts. Not reversible. The natural lens is gone once removed. Lens replacement surgery → |
Mr Mukherjee offers all three procedures and recommends based on your individual measurements and lifestyle. The consultation covers suitability for every option in a single appointment.
Why Choose Us
World-Class Technology
Getting the ICL size exactly right is critical — too large or too small affects vault height, eye pressure, and long-term lens health. ICL Guru uses artificial intelligence to analyse multiple biometric parameters simultaneously, producing a more precise lens specification than traditional single-measurement methods. Better sizing means better outcomes.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy images the exact space behind the iris where the ICL will sit. Most centres rely on a single anterior chamber measurement; UBM gives a complete picture, improving sizing precision and reducing risk. This level of diagnostic detail is not standard at most refractive centres.
Mr Mukherjee takes your measurements, calculates and orders your custom lens, performs the procedure, and monitors your recovery personally. The same surgeon who knows your prescription and your eyes is present at every stage — from the first consultation to the final follow-up.
ICL Guru AI sizing and UBM diagnostics are used as standard at every ICL assessment here. These tools are not widely available across UK refractive surgery centres. Better pre-operative data leads directly to better-fitting lenses and better long-term outcomes.
ICL is designed for a specific patient profile. You may be a strong candidate if you are aged between 21 and approximately 45, your prescription has been stable for at least 12 months, you have myopia between -3.00 and -18.00 dioptres (or hyperopia up to +10.00), you have astigmatism that can be corrected with a toric ICL (up to approximately 6.00 dioptres), your anterior chamber depth is 2.8mm or more (measured during the assessment), and your eyes are healthy with no cataracts, glaucoma, or significant corneal disease.
ICL may not be the best fit if you are over 50 and your natural lens is beginning to change. In that case, lens replacement surgery corrects the prescription permanently and prevents cataracts. If your prescription is moderate and your corneas are healthy, laser eye surgery is less invasive and achieves equivalent results for lower prescriptions. Mr Mukherjee assesses suitability for all three during a single consultation.
ICL recovery is one of the fastest of any vision correction procedure. Here is what to expect.
Day of Surgery: Rest at home. Some blurriness and light sensitivity as the pupil dilation wears off over a few hours. Vision is already noticeably improved compared to your uncorrected sight. Use prescribed drops as directed.
Day 1: Most patients see clearly enough to return to normal daily activities. A follow-up appointment with Mr Mukherjee checks the lens position and eye pressure. Many patients are comfortable driving within 24 to 48 hours, confirmed at the check-up.
Week 1: Continue drops as directed. Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, heavy lifting, and dusty environments. Vision continues to stabilise and sharpen.
Month 1: Final visual clarity is typically reached. A further follow-up confirms the outcome. From this point, the ICL requires no maintenance. Annual eye check-ups are recommended, as they are for everyone.
The eligibility quiz gives a quick initial indication of your options. For a definitive answer, the free consultation covers everything.
Take the Eligibility Quiz →Or call 01206 670712
Anaesthetic drops numb both eyes completely. Drops are also used to dilate your pupils so the surgeon can access the space behind the iris. You are awake throughout, and the preparation stage takes approximately 5 minutes.
Mr Mukherjee makes a small incision (2 to 3mm) at the edge of the cornea. The ICL is folded and inserted through this incision using a precision delivery device. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and is positioned behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. The incision is self-sealing and typically requires no stitches. What you feel: nothing (the eye is fully anaesthetised). What you see: bright light from the surgical microscope. The insertion takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
You rest briefly at the clinic, then go home the same day with prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops. A follow-up appointment is scheduled for the next day. Many patients notice improved vision within hours of the procedure.
ICL surgery at The Vision Surgeon costs approximately £3,000 per eye in 2026. This includes the consultation with Mr Mukherjee, the custom-manufactured EVO ICL lens, the surgical procedure, and all aftercare appointments.
ICL is typically more expensive than laser eye surgery (£1,400 to £1,800 per eye for LASIK or TransPRK) because the EVO ICL lens itself is a custom-manufactured, precision component. For context, UK ICL prices in 2026 range from approximately £2,500 to £3,600 per eye depending on the provider and lens type. The Vision Surgeon sits within the competitive range while offering consultant-led, fellowship-trained care performed locally in Colchester.
Payment options are available, and the practice team can discuss these during your consultation.
For a quote based on your prescription and eye measurements, book a free consultation.
Or call 01206 670712
No obligation. Your quote is confirmed after your individual assessment.
The most common thing ICL patients say after the procedure is that they wish they had done it years earlier. Many spent a decade wearing strong contact lenses or thick glasses, assuming that being unsuitable for laser meant surgery was not an option. ICL has been available for over 25 years, with more than 3 million lenses implanted worldwide. The technology is proven, the procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes, and recovery is measured in days, not weeks. The free consultation tells you whether your eyes are suitable. One appointment. No obligation.
No obligation. No pressure. Just a clear answer about your options.
