At Chu Vision Institute, our goal is to improve the everyday lives of our patients by allowing them to experience clear, healthy eyes. We provide LASIK, PRK, SMILE, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), and Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) procedures.
EVO ICL Minneapolis
EVO ICL is a permanent, yet reversible, contact lens to improve your vision. EVO ICL was previously called Visian ICL. FDA clearance has resulted in the ability for Dr. Chu to use STAAR’s newest technology of implantable contact lenses.
Join the thousands of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington patients who have experienced visual freedom with EVO ICL from refractive surgeon Dr. Ralph Chu.
LIZ • ICL PATIENT & MOM
After my husband passed away from brain cancer, I was the only parent left. I needed to make sure I was the best I could be health-wise for them, but I was legally blind. After my ICL, I have perfect vision and no dry eye. Do this procedure with Chu Vision as soon as you can!
Benefits of EVO ICL with Chu Vision
Clearer vision and quick results
Over 1 million procedures performed worldwide
Removable, reversible procedure
Offers UV sun protection
High patient satisfaction
Perfect for patients with high prescriptions
Can treat both astigmatism and myopia
Undetectable once in place
Great option for people who are not LASIK candidates
Does not induce Dry Eye
Improves nighttime vision
Schedule your life-changing experience now!
See if you are a EVO ICL candidate.
Find out if EVO ICL is for you right now.
Why Chu Vision for Your EVO ICL Procedure?
Dr. Chu was the first surgeon in Minnesota to implant the original ICL in 1999
You’ll get time with Dr. Chu before, during, and at your follow-up
More than 100 clinical trials for the FDA have been completed at Chu Vision
Dr. Chu has been featured on local and national TV interviews as an expert in ophthalmology
Chu Vision is on the leading edge of EVO ICL procedures
Our entire team has a friendly and cheerful bedside manner.
ABOUT EVO ICL
While laser vision correction surgery like LASIK and PRK can be ideal in addressing refractive errors, some people do not qualify. This is commonly due to astigmatism, extreme nearsightedness, abnormally thin corneas, or a history of dry eye. Implantable contact lenses (ICLs), also known as phakic intraocular lens implants, can work as a solution for these patients and provide significant vision improvement. The EVO Visian ICL is implanted on the natural crystalline lens of the eye, behind the cornea and iris, and works to provide clear vision for patients with moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness). The phakic intraocular lens implantation works much like traditional contacts, except they are implanted by a surgeon and designed to stay in place, either permanently or over the long term. Early clinical outcomes show they are generally very well-tolerated and compatible with the eye chemistry. At Chu Vision Institute, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu offers the EVO Visian ICL lens to fit your unique vision needs. To find out if you’re a good candidate for an EVO Visian ICL procedure, reach out to our office in Minneapolis, MN.
Contact Details
Chu Vision Institute
9117 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 835-1235
BEST CANDIDATES FOR EVO ICLs
If you have a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) or moderate myopic astigmatism but have been told you don’t qualify for other types of refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK, you are likely a good candidate for implantable collamer lens (ICL). EVO ICL surgery is intended for patients who:
Are generally healthy
Want a vision correction alternative to glasses or traditional contacts
Have a high degree of myopia, with or without astigmatism
Are between the ages of 21 – 45
Have had a stable eye prescription
To fully determine if you are a candidate for this procedure, a Chu Vision doctor will perform a thorough eye examination and review your medical history at your EVO ICL consultation. Patients with glaucoma, cataracts, or keratoconus may not qualify for implantable collamer lens implantation.
OUR LENS OPTIONS – EVO ICL
We are pleased to offer the EVO/EVO+ Visian ICL for our patients who want to correct their vision with implantable lenses and improve their visual performance.
The EVO Visian ICL (implantable collamer lens) is inserted behind the iris so your natural lens will stay in place. This innovative EVO lens is used to correct vision in patients with astigmatism and nearsightedness. With the EVO ICL, you can have clear, sharp vision without glasses or traditional contacts. The EVO lens is designed to stay in place comfortably and permanently, but it is removable should you change your mind in the future.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH IMPLANTABLE LENSES
We will place your implantable EVO lenses during an outpatient procedure performed at our facility in Minneapolis. Before starting your surgery, we will numb your eyes to keep you comfortable, and we may also give you light anesthesia. Dr. Chu will utilize advanced technology to create a very tiny opening on the outer portion of your cornea before folding the lens and situating it in the proper place in your eye. The procedure is relatively quick, lasting about 20 – 30 minutes in total. ICLs are done one eye at a time, unlike with other refractive laser surgeries.
EXPECTED RESULTS
After your EVO ICL procedure, you should be able to quickly return to your normal activities. Our staff will review any important follow-up instructions, such as not rubbing your eyes for several days. We will prescribe eye drops that you’ll need to use for the next week or so. Over the next 48 hours, you can expect your vision to improve as your eyes recover and adjust to the new lenses. For some patients, it can take up to four weeks to see full outcomes. With the EVO ICL, patients are able to experience clear long-term vision without needing traditional contact lenses or eyeglasses. As an added benefit, there is virtually no risk of dry eye symptoms with ICLs since no corneal tissue is removed.
SOLUTIONS FOR VISION CORRECTION
If you have been told you cannot have laser vision correction procedures and would like to explore other vision correction options, contact our team at Chu Vision Institute in Minneapolis, MN. We would be happy to share more about implantable collamer lens options to improve your quality of sight and sharpen your vision. The Visian ICLs are minimally invasive lenses that have helped many patients become less dependent on prescription eyewear with amazing visual outcomes and permanent vision correction. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chu.
Common Questions About EVO ICL
What is EVO Visian ICL?
A microscopic collagen lens called the EVO ICL is implanted by a surgeon so that patients may see without contact lenses or glasses as soon as they awaken. The EVO ICL is composed of collagen, so you can’t feel it or see it in the mirror, and since it works in concert with your body chemistry, your immune system isn’t even aware that it’s there. Even if you have been told you cannot undergo LASIK or other vision correction procedures, individuals who wish to see without glasses and contacts may be excellent candidates for EVO ICLs.
How long does an EVO ICL lens last?
The EVO Visian ICL is meant to remain in place and last indefinitely. You can stop worrying about your vision quality as more than 1 million people have escaped glasses or contact lenses thanks to the EVO Visian ICL. Even though the EVO ICL is considered to be permanent, it is completely reversible and may be taken out or replaced if necessary.
Can I rub my eyes after EVO ICL?
For the first three to five days after EVO ICL surgery, refrain from rubbing your eyes. Although it is never a good idea to rub your eyes, doing so after the initial recovery following ICL implantation won’t be particularly damaging. Touching the surface of the eye won’t harm the ICL since it is placed beneath the surface of the eye.
Who is not a candidate for EVO ICL surgery?
Not everyone can safely undergo ICL surgery. To find out whether the surgery is suitable for you while considering it, speak with one of our specialists at Chu Vision Institute. You will get a thorough consultation and opportunity to discuss your particular eye issue and your vision correction options.
If you fit into any of the following criteria, ICL surgery may not be a suitable option for you:
You are nursing or expecting a child.
You are under the age of 21.
You’re over age 45. (Another procedure specific to reading vision correction would likely better suit you)
You suffer from a chronic condition that results in hormone changes.
You use medications that might cause eyesight changes.
Your health condition prevents your wounds from healing properly.
You are unwilling to give up wearing contact lenses in the weeks preceding the procedure
You don’t meet the minimal requirements for endothelial cell count (this is a corneal cell count that will show you how many endothelial cells, the primary type of cell found in the interior lining of blood vessels, are present in the inner layer of your cornea).
What is the difference between EVO ICL and LASIK?
The amount and type of eyeglass prescription that may be addressed with each surgery differ significantly between LASIK and ICLs. ICLs have received FDA approval in the US to treat a fairly broad spectrum of nearsightedness, from milder forms (-3.00D) to more severe forms (-20.00D).
ICLs are FDA-approved to treat more nearsightedness than LASIK, which is FDA-approved to treat both farsightedness and nearsightedness with or without astigmatism (-14.00D is the top of the nearsightedness range approved by the FDA).
Your existing eyeglass prescription and what is ideal for your safety are two of the most crucial considerations if you’re thinking about ICL surgery as a LASIK alternative. ICL is generally performed on individuals who are not candidates for LASIK since it is a more invasive operation than LASIK, according to the majority of medical professionals. It is crucial for a patient to consult with a qualified eye doctor to examine their unique circumstances and go through the risks and advantages of the proposed course of treatment.
ICL recovery is comparable to LASIK in terms of speed of visual return and patient comfort. The lens is not meant to need regular cleaning, adjusting, or maintenance as contact lenses do. Instead, it is meant to be a permanent implant.
What is the age limit for EVO ICL surgery?
ICLs are approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals between the ages of 21 and 45. This age range is based on the age group examined in clinical safety studies, like many other criteria used afterward to advise procedure choice. But what if you’re older than 45?
Patient over 45 are more likely to be noticing changes to their vision known as presbyopia, or age-related loss of near vision. This affects the natural lens of the eye, which is not treated during the ICL procedure.
This is why if you are above 45, refractive lens exchange (RLE), a procedure similar to current cataract surgery, will often be recommended by Dr. Chu.
How long does EVO Visian ICL vision correction surgery take?
The entire EVO ICL procedure is usually completed in thirty minutes. You should plan to be in the office for two to three hours the day of your procedure to allow time for patient registration and recovery following the surgery
Will I wear glasses after EVO Visian ICL?
For the first few weeks, some patients may have fuzzy vision; they may require glasses for nighttime driving or reading until their vision stabilizes. Your eyes could feel sensitive, and some people may have side effects like haze as a result of “over-healing.” These typically self-resolve. With the use of prescription eye drops and medicine, these risks may be significantly reduced.
What You Can Do When LASIK Isn’t an Option
By Ralph Chu, MD
You decided it was time to ditch those glasses. You did your research and found a LASIK specialist. They tested your eyes, had you read the eye chart, you told them which was better (one or two?). Then the doctor comes in and “LASIK isn’t the best option for you…”
You’re devastated. You’ll just have to live your life behind those two little panes of glass forever.
“… but there are other options available.”
You sit up a little taller and find out, you can permanently correct your vision in another way!
Implantable Contact Lens
An Implantable Contact Lens, or ICL, is almost exactly what it sounds like. The ICL is placed in the eye, behind the pupil, in front of the natural lens to correct vision. This is a long-term implant that can be removed at any time, if necessary. World-renowned surgeon Dr. Ralph Chu has placed hundreds of ICLs in many happy patients who otherwise didn’t qualify for laser procedures like LASIK or SMILE. In fact, Dr. Chu was the first in Minnesota to use the ICL technology over 20 years ago!
What happens during the ICL procedure?
The ICLs are placed in the patient’s eyes while they are lightly sedated. Dr. Chu and his team at Chu Vision Institute ensure the patient’s comfort for the entire process. Dr. Chu makes a tiny incision and inserts the ICL into place. The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes to complete both eyes. After the procedure, your eyes may need time to adjust to the new implant but after a few days, your vision should become clear!
During the ICL procedure, no tissue is removed from the surface of your eye, which means there is less risk of dryness after the procedure than with LASIK.
Am I a Candidate?
Good candidates for ICLs struggle with nearsightedness and are looking to rid themselves of contacts and glasses to see in the distance. Usually, the best candidates are between the ages of 21 and 45 with a prescription higher than -3.0. If you are prone to dry eyes, ICL is a terrific option since no tissue is removed from the cornea. You will need a thorough eye exam to determine if ICL is a good option for you.
If you were considering LASIK but found out it wasn’t an option for you, we may have another solution. Dr. Chu and his excellent care team in Bloomington, Minnesota will evaluate your specific visual needs and help you come up with the best plan of action. Set up a consultation today to start your vision correction journey!