BRANDED CONTENT “There are few things we can do in the medical field that will radically improve patients’ lives in a matter of a few minutes, but the EVO ICL procedure is definitely one of them,” Modern Vision Centers’ Drew Dickson, MD, PCEO, says. The EVO ICL (implantable collamer lens) is a vision correction option for adults who have moderate to severe nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, and those with a high prescription, thin corneas, or chronic dry eye that makes them not ideal candidates for LASIK. According to Dickson, the most experienced EVO ICL surgeon in Iowa, it is the only reversible, removable, or upgradeable vision correction option on the market and, depending on the age of the patient when they have the procedure, the implanted lens will allow them to see well for decades. “More than 99% of the time, the EVO ICL stays in the eye until the patient needs cataract surgery, which typically occurs in their 60s or 70s,” Dickson says. “It’s amazing that we can do a procedure in under 10 minutes that can correct patients’ vision for that long.” The quick, painless procedure entails implanting a biocompatible lens inside the eye, with the benefits of being “future-proof”—removable and upgradeable should new technology emerge. Whereas LASIK reshapes the cornea to achieve clearer vision and is not suitable for some individuals, EVO ICL does not alter the eye’s structure, making vision correction possible for many who have previously not been candidates. “EVO ICL is a great option for anyone who’s been told they’re not a good fit for LASIK,” Dickson says. “It’s also gentler on the eye and doesn’t interfere with future procedures like cataract surgery.” “Getting the EVO ICL procedure can be thought of as buying your vision, while glasses and contact lenses are like renting your vision.” —Drew Dickson, MD, PCEO Dickson says the EVO ICL procedure is extremely safe—even safer than wearing contact lenses. “The ICL has been used for more than 30 years and with an experienced surgeon, the risk of any sort of significant complication is extremely low,” he says. “Most patients don’t realize that they are at a much higher risk of developing a vision-threatening complication from contact lens wearing than they are with having an EVO ICL procedure.” Recovery is fast and easy. “Most patients are seeing better right when they sit up from the procedure, and the majority are seeing around the 20/20 mark the next day,” Dickson says, adding that most patients are back to work and normal activities the next day. “Patients’ eyes will be dilated for one to two days and will therefore be light sensitive, and the eyes may feel slightly gritty for a day or two. It’s normal to notice glare and halos around lights for the first couple of months after this procedure, but these resolve over time, and many patients notice improvement in nighttime glare.” If you’re doing the math on the cost for vision correction like EVO ICL, remember you’re not just paying for today—you’re trading years of glasses and contacts for clear, hassle-free vision. “Most patients are spending a few hundred dollars every year on contact lenses or glasses or both,” Dickson says. “Since we expect the average patient to get multiple decades of benefit from this procedure, the savings on glasses and contacts are far higher than the cost of the procedure itself.” Many patients with even moderate nearsightedness are choosing EVO ICL for the quality of vision, the comfort, and the peace of mind knowing it’s upgradeable in the future. “It’s often difficult for patients to imagine being able to exercise, swim, travel, drive at night, and more, all without needing glasses and contacts. But that’s the reality for patients who get this done,” he says. “And 99.4% of patients not only say they are satisfied, but that they would do it again. Every week, I hear patients say some version of, ‘I wish I’d done this years ago’ and ‘That was so easy.’” Ten-minute life upgrade, achieved. > CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MODERN VISION CENTERS 6880 EP True Pkwy Suite 110 | West Des Moines, IA | www.mvcvision.com ...read more read less