Phakic Implants ICL and IPCL in Toulon

Phakic implants are intraocular refractive surgery procedures that correct refractive errors when laser is contraindicated. If the cornea is too thin, too fragile, too dry or the myopia too high (beyond -10 dioptres), a custom soft artificial lens is inserted through a 2.4 mm micro-incision behind the pupil — without removing the natural lens. Phakic implants are a great help for patients with extreme myopia, high astigmatism and some types of hyperopia. Visual quality is excellent, the procedure is reversible, and the results are durable: more than one million ICL implants have been placed worldwide with over 20 years of hindsight.

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Phakic implant: the essentials

Principle: a custom soft lens inserted behind the pupil, the natural lens is kept
Corrects: high myopia (to about -18), astigmatism (toric), some hyperopia
Best for: corneas too thin/dry for laser, very high myopia
Incision: 2.4 mm, self-sealing
Reversible: the implant can be removed
Both eyes: a few days apart, with an anaesthetist present
Recovery: 24 to 48 hours
Dr Bourdon’s fee: from €3,500 for both eyes

How does the phakic implant work?

Unlike laser surgery, which reshapes the cornea, the phakic implant adds a corrective lens inside the eye while keeping the natural crystalline lens (hence “phakic”). It is performed at the clinic with an anaesthetist present:

Local anaesthesia (drops and anaesthetic gel) and careful disinfection.
A 2.4 mm micro-incision is made on the side of the eye.
The folded implant is injected and unfolds, positioning itself behind the pupil (in front of the natural lens).
An intracameral antibiotic is instilled; the incision is self-sealing (no suture).

Duration: 10 to 30 minutes per eye. The two eyes are operated a few days apart for safety.

Advantages and limits

Advantages: corrects very high myopia, excellent visual quality, reversible, preserves the cornea, durable.
Limits: intraocular surgery (slightly more involved than laser), does not correct presbyopia (the natural lens is kept), regular monitoring of eye pressure and the corneal endothelium.

Other techniques: PRK · LASIK · SMILE · PreLex

Frequently asked questions about phakic implants

What is the difference between an ICL implant and laser?

Laser reshapes the cornea, whereas the phakic ICL implant adds a corrective lens inside the eye while keeping the natural lens. The implant suits very high myopia or corneas that are too thin or dry for laser.

Is the phakic implant reversible?

Yes. Unlike corneal laser, the implant can be removed or exchanged, which makes it a flexible and durable solution.

Does the phakic implant correct presbyopia?

No. Because the natural lens is kept, the phakic implant does not correct presbyopia. For presbyopia after 50, PreLex (clear lens exchange) is more suitable.

Is the procedure painful?

No. It is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation by an anaesthetist. There is little or no discomfort afterwards, and vision recovers within 24 to 48 hours.

How much does a phakic ICL implant cost in Toulon?

Dr Bourdon’s fee starts at €3,500 for both eyes, post-operative consultations included. Refractive surgery is not reimbursed by Social Security, but many insurers cover part of the cost.

Sources

Article written and reviewed by Dr Hugo Bourdon, ophthalmic surgeon at the Clinique Saint-Michel ELSAN and the Centre Iris – Institut Toulonnais d’Ophtalmologie (281 rue Jean Jaurès, Toulon).