The Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery (CertLRS), awarded by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, is the nationally recognised credential for refractive surgical practice in the United Kingdom. It covers phakic IOL surgery, including ICL implantation, as well as laser refractive procedures. Obtaining it requires structured training, submission of a refractive surgery audit, and formal assessment against a defined competency framework. ¹
A surgeon performing ICL procedures without CertLRS has not been formally evaluated against the national standard for refractive practice. General ophthalmology training does not include a refractive surgery component. The qualification matters because ICL surgery requires a specific set of competencies – pre-operative biometry, sizing methodology, vault management, and enhancement planning – that are not developed through cataract or vitreoretinal surgical experience alone. ² ³
Mr Mfazo Hove at Blue Fin Vision® holds the CertLRS qualification in addition to full GMC Specialist Register status. His refractive surgical training was completed within a structured environment and his ongoing practice includes regular audit submission and outcome transparency through published National Ophthalmology Database data.
Asking a surgeon whether they hold CertLRS is not a challenging question – it is an appropriate one. Any surgeon performing ICL surgery should hold it. If they do not, that is information the patient needs before making a decision.
References
- Barsam A, Bhogal M, Morris S, et al. Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens insertion for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;6:CD008259. PMID: 22696375.
- Packer M. Meta-analysis and review: effectiveness, safety, and central port design of the intraocular collamer lens. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:1059–1077. PMID: 27390517.
- Fernandes P, González-Méijome JM, Madrid-Costa D, Ferrer-Blasco T, Jorge J, Montés-Micó R. Implantable collamer posterior chamber intraocular lenses: a review of potential complications. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(10):765–776. PMID: 21610721.
Related Topics
- ICL Surgery Checklist
- Are You on the GMC Specialist Register for Ophthalmology?
- Does Your Surgeon Hold the CertLRS Qualification?
- How Many ICL Procedures Has Your Surgeon Performed?
- Can You Show Me Your Refractive Outcome Data?
- Is Surgery Performed in a Proper Hospital Theatre with Laminar Airflow?
- What Is My Pre-Operative Endothelial Cell Count?
- How Often Will ECC and Vault Be Monitored, and Is This Included?
- What Vault Are You Targeting?
- Does the Clinic Have Access to Laser Eye Surgery for Enhancement?
- Which ICL System and Calculator Do You Use?
- What Happens If I Develop a Cataract Within Two Years?
- What Is the Arrangement If Cataract Develops Between Two and Ten Years?
- Have You Performed Cataract Surgery in an Eye with an Existing ICL?
- How Do You Manage Biometry Calculations in Post-ICL Eyes?
- What Happens If My Myopia Continues to Progress?
- At What Level Would Enhancement Be Considered?
- When After Surgery Would Enhancement Be Performed?
- Who Performs the Enhancement – the Same Consultant?
- Is Laser Enhancement Included in the Price?
- Is Sedation Available, and What Does It Cost?
- Is Oral Diazepam Available for Anxious Patients?
- What Is the Minimum Stay Required Near the Clinic?
- Will You Identify a Named Local Ophthalmologist Before Surgery?
- How Will Annual Vault and ECC Monitoring Be Arranged If I Live Far Away?
