Annual surveillance is not optional for ICL patients – it is the mechanism by which the long-term safety of the implant is maintained. ¹ Endothelial cell count monitoring detects unexpected cell loss before it reaches clinically significant levels. Vault measurement identifies the gradual reduction that accompanies natural crystalline lens growth and flags the threshold at which proactive intervention – ICL removal and lens replacement – may become the safer option than continued surveillance. ²
For patients living far from their surgical centre, the practical structure of this monitoring matters as much as its clinical content. Annual specular microscopy and anterior segment OCT vault measurement need to be available locally, interpreted by a clinician with the clinical record required to assess them in context, and reported back to the managing consultant who holds the longitudinal dataset.
At Blue Fin Vision®, the local ophthalmologist identified before surgery is equipped with the full clinical record at the outset. Annual surveillance results from local appointments are communicated back to Mr Mfazo Hove, who reviews them against the longitudinal trend and initiates contact if the findings require discussion or intervention. ³ Patients do not need to self-report or request review – the system is designed to identify clinical signals before patients are aware of them.
Annual ECC and vault monitoring within this system is included at no additional charge for the lifetime of the implant – whether attended at a Blue Fin Vision® site or via the named local partner arrangement. The financial barrier to attendance is removed because attendance matters clinically.
References
- Igarashi A, Shimizu K, Kato S, Kamiya K. Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens and corneal endothelium: 5-year follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35(3):488–492. PMID: 19251139.
- Gonvers M, Bornet C, Othenin-Girard P. Implantable contact lens for moderate to high myopia: relationship of vaulting to cataract formation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2003;29(5):918–924. PMID: 12765773.
- Kohnen T, Maxwell WA, Holland S, Tetz M. Intraocular collamer lens for high myopia: results from the ICL in Treatment of Myopia (ITM) study. Ophthalmology. 2008;115(8):1392–1400. PMID: 18359068.
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?
