It provides some patients with an option that is safe and effective
Laser vision correction options can be confusing. We’ve made the journey as straightforward as can be
Our patients can appreciate the beauty all around them with clear natural vision
Embrace beautiful natural vision
If you’ve worn glasses and contact lenses your whole life, you’ll be familiar with the many trials and tribulations that accompany them. Glasses can make you feel inconvenienced, self-conscious and restricted, while contact lenses can be uncomfortable, cause dry eyes and increase your risk of eye infections.
After ICL surgery, you’ll have freed yourself from their limiting nature and can enjoy life with the beautiful natural vision you deserve.
When frustration turns into freedom
Studies have shown that the transition from visually dependent to visual liberation can do amazing things for your quality of life. Our patients report feeling more confident, healthy and more eager to join in on social events and activities.
Your setbacks become successes
Whether you’re into extreme sports, gentle walks or morning talks over coffee, there’s nothing more distracting than your glasses slipping down your nose, fogging-up or falling-off. Contact lenses can be just as bad; they can slip out of place, require constant cleaning and storing, and can cost a small fortune over time!
After ICL surgery, our patients live worry-free. They no longer have to endure the inconveniences of glasses and contacts and find they have more energy and drive to devote to their hobbies, careers and the people around them.
Don’t settle for anything less
If poor vision and a life of glasses and contacts are all you know, it can be easy to accept their drawbacks and just carry on.
Don’t!
Not many things are as precious as sight, and the experiences and opportunities that amazing natural vision can give you are priceless. Our patients will tell you that their only regret is that they didn’t do it sooner.
Discover how this straightforward treatment gives you visual freedom
Are your eyes unsuitable for LASIK? You could still enjoy clear vision without glasses, with implantable contact lenses from Eye Institute.
Implantable contact lenses (Visian ICLs) are the ideal solution if you struggle to wear external contact lenses, but you’re unsuitable for laser eye surgery because of:
- Severe myopia (short-sightedness) i.e. over -8.0 diopters and up to -20.0 diopters
- Severe hyperopia (long sightedness) i.e. over +4.0 diopters and up to +10.0 diopters
- High astigmatism
- Thin corneas
The Visian ICL technique has been in use since 1993, and more than 125,000 procedures have been carried out worldwide, so the technology is highly developed and very safe.
A Visian ICL is very safe to use, extremely biocompatible (made from Collamer with some collagen). It can even be removed in the future, as it does not alter the eye’s structure in any way.
Implantable contact lenses are made from a special ‘biocompatible’ material that works with your body’s natural chemistry. Each thin, foldable lens is uniquely tailored to your eye and custom made for you in Switzerland.
We insert the custom lenses behind your iris (the coloured part of your eye) in front of your eye’s natural lens. The lenses alter your eye’s focusing point to give you clearer vision in the same way that wearing glasses or contact lenses does.
Unlike many older designs of ICL, you’ll find your ICLs from Eye Institute are completely invisible to anyone looking at your eyes. It’s also safe to continue playing contact sports after your ICL surgery.
Advantages:
- Corrects high level of myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism for people that are unsuitable for laser vision correction.
- Treatment option for stable or mild Keratoconus.
- Freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
- Reversible – We can remove ICL implants and/or exchange them if there is a change to the focus error over time.
- Short recovery – You can resume normal activities within a few days following surgery.
Disadvantages
- May not be suitable for people with glaucoma.
- Not suitable for people with small eyes or a shallow anterior chamber depth.
Risks include:
- Infection – Extremely uncommon occurrence.
- There is a rare risk of inducing the onset of lens opacity or cataract.
- Raised intraocular pressure, or IOP.
Your ophthalmologist will be able to assess your eyes to determine the most appropriate procedure for you.
What’s involved in an ICL procedure?
The ICL procedure is virtually painless and takes around the same time as a typical LASIK operation to correct each eye (no more than 15 minutes). You’ll be given a topical (no needle!) anaesthetic to numb your eye so that you won’t feel any pain. We can also give you a mild sedative to help with any nerves you may have.
Then, using advanced no-stitch surgical techniques, the surgeon will insert the Visian ICL through a tiny self-sealing slit in your cornea (the surface of the eye).
Afterwards
The ICL procedure will take no more than about 15 minutes, after which you’ll be free to go home within 2 hours, returning for a postoperative examination the following morning. You should be able to return to normal activities within days.
You’ll need to have some follow-up checks after your ICL operation and an annual check-up. Don’t worry if you live outside Auckland, though. We can arrange your check-ups with your local optometrist near to where you live.
Implantable contact lenses provide the same results as external contact lenses. The only difference is that they sit inside your eye to give you permanently clearer vision with much more convenience and comfort.
Discover if you could be free from glasses and contacts
Everyone deserves a life free from glasses and contacts, but not everyone is suitable. The best way to find out if vision correction is right for you is to book a free laser assessment. You’ll get a clear and honest answer on your suitability and treatment options.
Discover if you could be free from glasses and contacts
Everyone deserves a life free from glasses and contacts, but not everyone is suitable. The best way to find out if vision correction is right for you is to book a free laser assessment. You’ll get a clear and honest answer on your suitability and treatment options.
Choose the option below that sounds most like you to discover your best solution
We are proud to be a part of these professional bodies
Get a quick overview of everything you need to know about gaining visual freedom
The Ophthalmologist Power List 2022
The Ophthalmologist Power List 2022 Congratulations to Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer and Prof Charles [...]
What is SMILE eye surgery?
Looking to gain a whole new perspective on life but have questions about SMILE eye surgery? In this blog, Dr. Nick Mantell discusses Smile surgery being minimally invasive, completely pain-free, and swift with the entire process for no more than 15 minutes. Are you ready to see the world unfiltered?
The Ophthalmologist Power List 2021
The Ophthalmologist Power List 2021 We are pleased to announce that Eye Institute’s Prof [...]
Learn more about this laser eye surgery alternative treatment from authoritative sources
Investigators assess the long-term correction of moderate to high myopia using a posterior chamber phakic IOL with a central port design. Click here to read more about the study.
Implantable collamer lenses are a type of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (pIOL). pIOL are usually used for high degrees of refractive error or when corneal refractive surgery is contraindicated. Advantages over corneal refractive surgery also include quicker recovery and reversibility. Posterior chamber pIOL provide a more cosmetically appealing alternative to anterior chamber (AC) pIOL because they are less visible externally and create less risk of endothelial cell loss (ECL) as they are placed further away from the cornea. Click here to read more.
Phakic intraocular lens (phakic IOL or pIOL) implants are an alternative to LASIK and PRK eye surgery for correcting moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness). In some cases, phakic IOLs produce better and more predictable vision outcomes than laser refractive surgery. Click here to read more.
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Our industry-leading experts are here to guide you every step of the way
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London.
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care.
Dr Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
LEARN MORE
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
LEARN MORE
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
LEARN MORE
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
LEARN MORE
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
LEARN MORE
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care
LEARN MORE
Dr. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
LEARN MORE
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London.
LEARN MORE
Get our guide on everything you need to know about laser eye surgery in NZ
We understand that choosing laser eye surgery can be confusing. We’ve made it easy. The information in our New Zealand Guide to Vision Correction quickly gives you everything you need to know (and the right questions to ask), to confidently choose the best vision correction provider for your unique eyes.
