ICL Guide
How ICL treatment works in Japan
A practical overview of consultation, eye examination, surgery, and follow-up appointments.
What ICL is
ICL is a refractive surgery that places an artificial collamer lens inside the eye, between the iris and the natural lens. It is different from glasses or contact lenses because the lens is implanted by an eye surgeon, and it is different from LASIK because it does not reshape the cornea.
Who may consider it
Hospitals often describe ICL as an option for people with moderate to high myopia, people who are not suitable for laser vision correction, or people whose corneal thickness, dry eye tendency, or other eye conditions make LASIK or PRK less suitable. Final suitability depends on an eye examination.
Typical flow
Most clinics begin with counseling and detailed eye examinations. The clinic checks prescription stability, eye shape, anterior chamber depth, corneal endothelial cells, eye pressure, and whether there are other eye diseases. If ICL is suitable, the clinic explains lens selection, schedule, fees, and follow-up appointments.
Surgery day and follow-up
ICL surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in a sterile operating room. After surgery, clinics commonly schedule follow-up visits such as the next day, one week, one month, several months, and then regular annual checks. The exact schedule differs by clinic.
Questions to ask
Ask whether English or Chinese support is available during counseling, surgery day, and follow-up. Also confirm the total cost, deposit rules, lens-order cancellation rules, emergency contact options, and whether follow-up fees are included.
References
Cleveland Clinic: Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery