EVO Visian ICL™ Lens

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So many of our patients at Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston are tired of relying on glasses or contact lenses as they go about their daily routines. Now, thanks to innovations in the field of vision correction, we are pleased to offer our patients the opportunity to embrace visual freedom with the EVO Visian ICL!

What is the EVO Visian ICL?

The EVO Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens) is a very thin lens implant that is placed in the eye to treat nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. This lens is 100% biocompatible, which means that it works in harmony with the eye.The EVO Visian ICL provides our patients with significantly improved vision, so much so that they can reduce or even eliminate their use of glasses and contacts.1 This remarkable lens also provides UV protection and is removable if a patient’s vision needs change in the future.

While other vision correction procedures like LASIK and PRK change the shape of the cornea, this isn’t necessary with the EVO Visian ICL. This means it’s a great option for patients who might not be candidates for LASIK because they have thinner corneas or a high degree of myopia.2

STAAR EVO Visian ICL logo

What are the Benefits of EVO Visian ICL?

The EVO Visian ICL has a 99.4% patient satisfaction rate.3 Our patients love the EVO Visian ICL for so many reasons, including:

  • It provides clear, sharp vision4
  • The procedure is fast and comfortable, with nearly no downtime
  • 100% compatible with the human eye
  • The lens is removable if necessary
  • Built-in UV protection
  • No permanent changes are made to the structure of the eye
  • Ideal for patients with thin corneas5
  • Does not cause dry eye syndrome6
  • Great night vision7

Am I a Candidate for EVO Visian ICL?

Even if you don’t qualify for LASIK or other vision correction procedures, you may still be a good candidate for EVO Visian ICL. In general, the ideal candidate:

  • Is between the ages of 21 and 45
  • Has a stable vision prescription, with no changes in the last 12 months
  • Has nearsightedness or astigmatism
  • Is ready to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contacts!
Diverse group of friends taking a selfie outside

Preparing for EVO Visian ICL

To prepare for visual freedom with the EVO Visian ICL, the first thing you’ll need to do is attend a consultation with one of our experienced Houston ophthalmologists. After an eye examination, your doctor will help you learn more about the EVO Visian ICL. If you and your doctor determine that this is the right option for you, we’ll schedule your procedure and give you detailed pre- and postoperative instructions.

What Happens During the EVO Visian ICL Procedure?

The entire EVO Visian ICL procedure only takes about 20-30 minutes.

Before beginning the procedure, your eye surgeon will use anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. You’ll also be offered an oral sedative to help you relax. A device will be gently placed to hold your eyes open.

Once your ophthalmologist is sure of your comfort, a small opening will be created so that the EVO Visian ICL lens can be inserted and properly positioned.

After EVO Visian ICL: Recovery and Results

Another thing our patients love about the EVO Visian ICL is that very little downtime is necessary after the procedure: patients often return to work the next day! Even better, the results are nearly immediate!

Frequently Asked Questions About EVO Visian ICL

Will I feel the lens in my eye?

No. You can feel contact lenses because they sit on the surface of the eye. You won’t be able to feel the EVO Visian ICL because it doesn’t interact with any other structures in the eye.

Will people be able to see the lens?

No again. The EVO Visian ICL is placed behind the colored part of the eye (the iris), and is completely invisible to observers.

graphic depicting the ICL lens in an eye

What makes EVO Visian ICL different from LASIK?

LASIK improves refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. With the EVO Visian ICL, no corneal tissue is removed, which is why it is such a good option for patients who may not qualify for LASIK. Also unlike LASIK, EVO Visian ICL can be removed if your vision needs change in the future.

Contact Diagnostic Eye Center

If you live in the Houston area and are ready to learn more about how you may be able to achieve visual freedom with the EVO Visian ICL lens, contact us today to schedule your personal consultation.


1 Sanders D, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable collamer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for low myopia. Cornea. 2006 Dec;25(10):1139-46. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e31802cbf3c. PMID: 17172886. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17172886/. Accessed November 30, 2022.
2 Parkhurst GD, Psolka M, Kezirian GM. Phakic intraocular lens implantation in United States military warfighters: a retrospective analysis of early clinical outcomes of the Visian ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011 Jul;27(7):473-81. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20110106-03. Epub 2011 Jan 17. PMID: 21243974. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21243974/. Accessed November 30, 2022.
3 STAAR Surgical patient registry data.
4 Igarashi A, Kamiya K, Shimizu K, Komatsu M. Visual performance after implantable collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia. Am J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul;148(1):164-70.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2009.02.001. Epub 2009 Apr 17. PMID: 19375059. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19375059/. Accessed November 30, 2022.
5 Gimbel HV, Ziémba SL. Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002 May;28(5):883-6. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(01)01098-7. PMID: 11978472. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11978472/. Accessed November 30, 2022.
6 Ganesh S, Brar S, Pawar A. Matched population comparison of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction between 3 modalities for the correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017 Jul 3;11:1253-1263. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S127101. PMID: 28740361; PMCID: PMC5505606. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28740361/. Accessed November 30, 2022.
7 Martínez-Plaza E, López-Miguel A, López-de la Rosa A, McAlinden C, Fernández I, Maldonado MJ. Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jun;226:117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.005. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33577790. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577790/. Accessed November 30, 2022.

The doctors at Diagnostic Eye Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.