ICL surgery can be suitable even for extreme myopia, although expectations and retinal risks must be carefully discussed.
Potential benefits
It can dramatically reduce very high prescriptions.
- Significant reduction in myopia, often from beyond -18 or -20 dioptres
- Thinner, lighter glasses or sometimes no glasses for distance
- Improved image size and quality compared with thick lenses
- Option to combine with residual laser fine‑tuning in selected cases
- Reversibility if future lens strategies change
Important cautions
Extreme myopia carries added complexity.
- Higher baseline risk of retinal detachment and macular disease
- May not achieve “perfect” vision if retina is already stretched or damaged
- Need for ongoing retinal surveillance even after successful surgery
- Meticulous measurements to avoid sizing errors and vault problems
- Decision made with full understanding of benefits and limitations
